Director of Academics and IB

Location: Cedars International School, Erbil, Iraq

Position Type: Full-time

About Cedars International School

Cedars International School is a leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Erbil, Iraq, committed to delivering a high-quality, inquiry-based education rooted in global-mindedness, critical thinking, and student agency. As part of a growing group of IB schools in Iraq, we strive to foster academic excellence and personal growth within a caring, inclusive community.

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Academics and IB to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the academic and IB programs at Cedars School. The Director will be responsible for ensuring that all teaching and learning practices align with IB philosophy and standards across the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).

Reporting directly to the Group’s Chief Schools Officer and working closely with school leadership, this role offers an exciting opportunity to shape academic excellence in one of Iraq’s most ambitious international schools.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the strategic planning and execution of the school’s academic vision across all IB programmes (PYP, MYP, DP)

Supervise and support the work of IB Coordinators and Heads of Department

Ensure full compliance with IB standards, practices, and authorization/re-authorization requirements

Guide the development, implementation, and review of curriculum frameworks, teaching strategies, and assessment models

Promote a culture of inquiry, innovation, and reflective practice among faculty

Organize and lead ongoing professional development and teacher coaching

Analyze student performance data and lead school-wide academic improvement initiatives

Collaborate with the Group Director and fellow directors to ensure alignment across campuses

Represent Cedars School in IB and academic forums as needed

Qualifications

Master’s degree or higher in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field

Minimum 7 years of teaching experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or coordination role within an IB school

In-depth knowledge of IB standards and practices; prior experience with multiple IB programmes is a strong asset

Proven ability to lead academic teams and drive instructional excellence

Experience in professional development and curriculum leadership

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills

Fluent in English; knowledge of Arabic or Kurdish is an advantage

How to Apply

Please submit your CV, a cover letter, and the contact details of three professional references to ehr@ciscollege.edu.lb

Include “Director of Academics and IB – Cedars School” in the subject line.