Initiative Manager

About the Role
The company is seeking an Initiative Manager for an immediate start in Abu Dhabi to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This role presents an exciting opportunity to join a highly successful education group and help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group. The Initiative Manager will be responsible for leading end-to-end digital and cross-functional initiatives, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, risks, and dependencies to ensure successful delivery while aligning all initiatives with strategic priorities and governance frameworks. Regular reporting on progress, issues, and key milestones across departments will be a critical aspect of this role.

Responsibilities
Main Duties

• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of digital, technology, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ensure initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational strategy.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to achieve agreed objectives.
• Monitor progress, manage risks, and resolve issues to ensure successful outcomes.
• Support governance processes and ensure compliance with agreed frameworks and standards.

Specific Duties

• Develop and maintain initiative plans, including scope, timelines, milestones, and dependencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure clear ownership, accountability, and collaboration.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks, issues, and change requests throughout the initiative lifecycle.
• Track progress against plans and escalate issues when required.
• Ensure initiatives remain aligned with strategic priorities and approved governance processes.
• Prepare and deliver regular status reports, dashboards, and updates for leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and reviews to support effective decision-making.
• Manage the backlog, planning, and implementation of the BAU development resources to deliver on continuous system enhancements and improvements.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to optimize processes and delivery approaches.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience demonstrating the ability to manage initiatives, projects, or programs.
• Professional certifications in project, program, or change management.

Minimum Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in managing projects, initiatives, or cross-functional workstreams.
• Experience working in digital, technology, or transformation-focused environments is preferred.
• Education or other service-related industry experience is preferable.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent English language skills, written and oral.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative and effective manner, both independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Strong capability to establish and maintain professional relationships within and across the organization.
• Hands-on mindset to solve challenges with relevant solutions.
• High attention to detail with diligent follow-up and the ability to execute in a timely manner.
• Strong multi-tasking skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills, both personal and in coordinating others.
• Capable of influencing stakeholders and building networks with cultural sensitivity.
• Great interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to think strategically while managing day-to-day execution.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in planning, tracking, and reporting tools (e.g., project management or collaboration tools).

What We Offer:
We offer an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits. Our future-focused learning model emphasizes professional development, coaching, and training for both students and staff. Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training efforts as well as develop themselves.

Commitment to Safeguarding
The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.