Executive Search - BBD Recruitment - International Schools

International school leadership is both challenging and rewarding. There are schools at very different price points, but they all benefit from investing in proven leadership talent. At BBD our Executive Search team assists both clients and candidates to find the perfect match.

The skillset required today has shifted a lot from ten years ago. Today, the successful leader needs to understand the context and they need to get to know their community inside out. They need to have grasped the importance of people and show they can motivate, lift expectations, develop talent and hold staff accountable.

They need to understand learning, but not in a way that simply follows the latest fashion. Leaders have to embed great teaching and learning so that the students and parents see results. They need to use data because, without it, it is too easy to ‘talk the talk’ but fall into complacency.

We are building a global network of great leaders and we are always bringing on new talent as well. Because we understand the International schools so well, our special success is in matching people to local needs. BBD have found leaders for start-up projects that call on a different skillset from the outset, we have found leaders for turnarounds and we have found leaders to move a school to the next level.

Due to our vast knowledge and experience in education, we can advise you as to the exact Leader that will suit your school or group at that particular time. Our team is available to help you create a job description that fits with your current and future needs, refine competencies that you require in your future Leader and search and select candidates that match that criteria. We can assist you in your interview process, from its organisation through to advising you in a competency-based interview approach. Our partner, Leading Brains, are experts in psychological assessments for educators. All our candidates take part in this assessment and we integrate their profiles as part of your final recruitment decision. When it comes to the offer and negotiation, we can help you devise suitable contracts and packages, and assist with negotiations with the candidates.

BBD Education has placed many senior leaders in international schools. The journey is rarely straightforward. There has to be a fit. Relationships have to work. Often, incoming leaders have to be prepared for interviews with the local regulators. BBD helps with all these steps because we know the local setting.

We pride ourselves on searching for you until we find the right leader that fits your business.

Take a look at our current vacancies here

International schools depend on the expertise and experience of their senior leaders

Our Executive Search Process

For more information, contact recruitment@bbd.ae