James MacDonald

Director at International School of Brussels

Belgium

About

I’ve had many roles in education including classroom teacher, head of three leading international schools, and leader of a group of schools across continents. The titles have changed, but the focus never has: it’s always about the students. I see schools as multiple bottom-line organizations, where mission, learning, people, and finance all matter and must work in balance. I’ve built the skills to lead across every aspect of a school’s operation. I love building teams, launching new ideas, and moving schools forward. No matter the title or the setting, I keep coming back to the same simple question as my guide: are we doing what’s best for students?

Experience

  • Director at International School of Brussels
    Jul 2020 - Present · 6 yrs

  • Managing Director at Al-Futtaim Education Foundation
    Jan 2020 - Jun 2020 · 6 mos

    The Al Futtaim Education Foundation is a not-for-profit entity in the UAE.

  • GEMS Education (Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
    • Senior Vice President Education/Vice President Education (US & IB curriculum schools)
      Feb 2017 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      - Led 10 schools within the US/IB cluster (over 15,000 students, three different curricula and hundreds of millions USD in revenue) at one of the world’s largest private K-12 education providers. - Accountable for schools’ educational results (measured through UAE inspection framework and accreditation) and financial outcomes (eg EBITA and enrollment) - Top performing cluster within the company (against inspection results) two consecutive years - Supported a range projects related to the global expansion of GEMS

    • Senior IB Curriculum Leader
      Jul 2016 - Feb 2017 · 8 mos

      - Provided leadership and guided development of IB curriculum schools and programmes throughout GEMS. - Role included oversight of the global network of GEMS World Academies in the US, Switzerland, Singapore and the UAE.

  • IBO (Part-time · 5 yrs 8 mos)
    • Chair, Regional Council (Asia Pacific)
      Jan 2011 - Aug 2016 · 5 yrs 8 mos

      The regional council served an advisory body to the IB regional director, meeting at least two times per year. Chair of this body for four years.

    • Chair, East Asia Association of IB School Heads
      Sep 2011 - Jun 2013 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Helped support the IB's expansion into Japan through this volunteer position.

  • Head of School at NIST International School
    Jul 2013 - Jul 2016 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    Well-established, not-for-profit three programme IB school. Founded by UN parents in 1992 and the Chair of the NIST Trustees was Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Total of 1600 students, inclusive admissions policy and recognized as one of the top IB schools globally.