Primary Principal - January 2027

King’s College Riyadh is seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Primary Principal to join our growing team for January 2027 . This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering a rich, broad and balanced curriculum within a vibrant, values-driven British international school.

About Cognita:
Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

About King’s College Riyadh:
King’s College Riyadh is the first UK private school brand to establish a branch in Saudi Arabia, in genuine partnership with King’s College UK, which has been educating pupils in the UK and abroad for over 140 years.

Since opening in 2021, King’s has grown rapidly, expanding to Year 7 in August 2025, with plans to extend through to Year 13 (age 18), enabling pupils to complete their full King’s education in Riyadh. Unlike most international schools in the city, King’s is fully co-educational from Pre-School through Year 7.

King’s College Riyadh:

• Brings 140 years of educational excellence to Saudi Arabia

• Offers a holistic curriculum, adapted from King’s UK to suit the Saudi context

• Provides exceptional pastoral care and a strong sense of community

• Creating outstanding career development opportunities within an international school network
  

The partnership with King’s College UK is central to the school’s success. Collaboration in areas such as vision and ethos, curriculum design, professional development, and co-curricular activities ensures the highest international standards. Pupils and staff in Riyadh benefit directly from the expertise and reputation that King’s College has built over nearly a century and a half.

The school balances academic achievement with a strong emphasis on sport, music, the arts, and a wide range of activities. Central to this is its commitment to pastoral care: pupils thrive when they feel happy, supported, and secure. Staff work to foster a warm, inclusive community where every child has trusted peers and adults to turn to, ensuring they feel valued and connected.

Role Overview:

Due to continued growth, King’s College Riyadh is seeking an experienced and inspirational Primary Principal to join our leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious leader to work alongside the Executive Principal to shape the strategic direction of the school, maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning, and ensure the wellbeing and success of every student.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the daily running of the Diriyadh, Riyadh Campus and play a key role in leading staff, managing daily operations, and supporting a positive, inclusive school culture as we continue to expand.

Key Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership & Holistic Education

• Establish and sustain high-quality, research-informed teaching across all subjects

• Develop and implement a broad, structured, and coherent curriculum that supports student success.

• Promote high standards of behavior and a positive learning culture that fosters excellence.

• Ensure valid, reliable, and proportionate assessment practices are used to track progress.

• Provide strategic oversight into special educational needs and inclusive learning practices.

Strategic Leadership & School Development

• Uphold and drive the school’s ethos, vision, and strategic direction.

• Develop a culture of high staff professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Lead professional development programs, ensuring high-impact training and mentoring.

• Drive evidence-informed school improvement strategies to sustain excellence and innovation.

• Forge strong partnerships with parents, the local community, and educational networks.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Oversee day-to-day school operations, including timetable, events, and logistics.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, prioritising student and staff welfare.

• Manage financial and human resources effectively, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.

• Implement risk management and ensure policies and procedures support school-wide effectiveness.

Growth & Community Engagement

• Enhance the school’s reputation and parental engagement through strong communication.

• Support the admissions and retention strategy, ensuring an outstanding parent and student experience.

• Act as an ambassador for the school, championing its mission and values.

The successful candidate will have:

• Proven school leadership experience, ideally as Deputy Head, Vice Principal, or similar.

• Strong pedagogical knowledge of UK EYFS and Primary Curriculum

• Experience of leading within the GCC or Middle East context.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Expertise in curriculum development, student performance monitoring, and instructional leadership.

• Proven ability to manage teams, resolve problems, and maintain relationships with stakeholders.

Why Join King’s College Riyadh?

At King’s College Riyadh, you’ll be more than just a leader — you’ll be a change-maker shaping the future of a rapidly growing school.

• Bring 140+ years of British educational excellence to the heart of Riyadh.

• Play a pivotal role in an ambitious school on an exciting growth journey.\

• Join a supportive leadership team that values innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

• Inspire teachers, empower students, and leave a lasting legacy.
  

Our Offer:

The successful candidate will benefit from accommodation allowance, private medical cover, flight allowances, end of service gratuity and an attractive tax-free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.

Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form, only fully completed application will be processed. To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

Interviews will take place online/ in person.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Thank you for your interest in King’s College Riyadh. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

King’s College Riyadh and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expect the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.