Manager - Operations (Charter Schools)

About the Role
The company is seeking Operations Managers for schools in Abu Dhabi. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled professional to join a highly successful group of schools and help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading education provider.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, the company has expanded significantly, currently serving over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities. The organization is dedicated to providing world-class education across a diverse range of curricula from nursery through to K12, and boasts partnerships with prestigious institutions including Rugby School and King’s College Wimbledon. The company aims to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through exceptional educational offerings.

If you are passionate about excellence and ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this opportunity.

Responsibilities
Main Duties:

• Responsible for the organization and delivery of operations, administration, and support service teams across the schools. Implement a 'service culture' and ensure efficient, effective staff deployment. Collaborate with the principal on recruitment of high-caliber candidates for the operations and support service teams.
• Support and advise the Principal, Senior Leadership, and the company HQ on operational and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) matters, ensuring accountability through robust performance management systems.
• Implement processes and strategic guidance on Audit and Regulatory Compliance to maintain compliance throughout the year during authority and internal audit visits.
• Ensure high quality continuous professional development and training for all operations and support service staff, contributing to the development of the school.
• Assist the principal in achieving key strategic objectives through formulating and leading specific aspects of business improvement plans related to operations and support services.

Specific Duties:
General Operations

• Support the principal in implementing the agreed business strategy for the school.
• Develop and implement policies, systems, processes, and student safeguarding measures in conjunction with the company HQ, ensuring school-focused implementation.
• Be available outside normal school hours to support the Operations Team as required, in accordance with the company Critical Incident Response Protocols.

Leadership and Management

• Enhance the performance and efficient working hours of administration and support service teams to maintain high standards of service throughout the schools.
• Review support services operating models and staffing levels to ensure sufficient resourcing for key objectives while maintaining financial and operational performance.
• Lead recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and training of all Operations & Support Service staff, ensuring individual development plans are in place to build a high-performance team.

Finance, Commercial and Procurement

• Lead operational budget development.
• Review opportunities for shared resources, cost, and services across schools for improved access to service teams and physical resources.
• Ensure adherence to Delegation of Authority processes and procedures.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Promote and uphold the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the company Core Values.
• Ensure full compliance with local government authority regulations to prevent fines from non-renewal of contracts at the school level.
• Coordinate internal and external audits effectively, ensuring timely completion of follow-up actions.
• Understand and strategize around the implications of government policies, legislation, and directives affecting educational trends and developments.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety legislation and guidelines.
• Drive a positive health and safety culture within teams and champion health and safety initiatives.
• Support the principal in establishing and delivering specific health, safety, and environmental-related objectives within required timelines.
• Coordinate all health, safety, and environmental-related audits, ensuring timely completion of necessary actions.
• Ensure inspections align with the company standards, completing actions arising from findings promptly.
• Support the effective delivery of a health and safety committee within the school, meeting monthly.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in a business-related subject or
• Related industry qualification of graduate level in assigned functional areas.
• Certificate in School Business Management/Facilities Management/NEBOSH or IOSH preferable.

Minimum Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Fluent English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow-up, executing tasks in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and managing pressure.
• Strong organizational ability, for self and others.
• Proficient in forethought and forward planning, particularly regarding local government compliance.
• Capable of influencing people and skilled in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Good interpersonal skills and consistent supervisory capabilities.
• Possess strong commercial acumen.
• Willingness to extend effort and energy beyond typical work hours when necessary.

What We Offer:
The company offers an attractive remuneration package and a range of benefits. We emphasize professional development, coaching, and training for our staff, providing opportunities to lead and contribute to training others while developing personally. This role is part of a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools in the UAE.

The company is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages UAE Nationals to apply. This role requires commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, with offers of appointment subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.