Senior Manager - Operations (Charter Schools)

Role Overview

Senior Manager - Operations (Charter Schools) at Aldar Education, based in the UAE. This role leads operations across a cluster of charter schools, reporting to and supporting Principals and Operations Managers while serving as the primary liaison with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

Company Overview

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. The organization educates over 25,000 students across owned and managed schools and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Role Purpose

To oversee all Operations, Administration and Support Service-related activities within an assigned cluster of schools, ensuring compliance with Aldar Education Policy, procedures, HSE, Audit and Regulatory directives while driving operational excellence, cost efficiency, and a positive service culture aligned with Aldar Education Core Values.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory & Stakeholder Liaison

• Serve as the main liaison between ADEK and Aldar Education for Operations, acting as the single point of contact on behalf of all schools within the cluster.
• Distribute and submit communications from and to ADEK to support their requirements and initiatives.
• Ensure that assigned cluster is fully compliant with local government authority regulations to safeguard against fines.
• Understand the effects and implications of government policies, legislation and directives.
• Ensure all internal and external audits are effectively managed and that actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.

Strategic Operations & Business Planning

• Support Principals and Operations Managers in implementing the agreed business strategy for both the School and Cluster.
• Oversee the key strategic objectives for the cluster through formulating and leading on specific aspects of the school business and improvement plan as they relate to operations and support services.
• Develop and implement policies, systems, processes, and student safeguarding measures relevant to their cluster in conjunction with Aldar Education HQ to ensure business continuity and service deliverables.
• Act as the department lead in specialist function and ensure a consistent and streamlined approach in line with identified strategic directives, whilst maximizing cost efficiencies, return on investment and quality standards.

Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee the organization and delivery of operations, administration and support service teams across the cluster(s).
• Implement a service culture and ensure efficient, effective staff deployment across the cluster.
• Work with the HQ team on recruitment of high calibre candidates to join the Aldar Education Operations and Support Service teams.
• Initiate and identify good practices within their cluster and ensure these are shared throughout the group in order to streamline operations, processes and policies and secure efficiencies.
• Be contactable outside of normal School hours and available to attend site to support the Operations Team when required in line with Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols.

Leadership & Team Development

• Oversee the performance of the Operations and Support Service staff to ensure high standards of service are maintained throughout the School(s) and that cluster teams provide a collegial, efficient and effective service culture.
• Contribute to the recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and training of all Operations and Support Service staff.
• Ensure that members of the team undergo an individual development plan to help the school in building a high-performance team.
• Ensure that all Operations and Support Service staff are supported with high quality continuous professional development and training which contributes to the development and achievements of each school.

Finance, Commercial & Procurement

• Support the Principal and Operations Manager in developing and monitoring all relevant budgets and expenditure, particularly operational costs, ensuring the department receives best value and service at all times.
• Continually review opportunities for shared resource, cost and services across the cluster to ensure that schools benefit from improved access to service teams and physical resources, such as support staff and transport.
• Ensure delegation of authority processes and procedures are followed at all times.
• Develop relevant feasibility studies for submitting technical proposals in specialist area as required to support business needs and initiatives.
• Review and prepare all relevant information, such as scope of work and purchase requisition specifications, to initiate tenders and develop weighted pre-determined evaluation criteria.
• Assist Procurement in the technical evaluation of tender documents submitted.

Contract & Vendor Management

• Support the Group Head General Services in overseeing specialist contracts across the group and ensure adherence to SLAs and KPIs.
• Review and issue non-conformity reports (NCRs) if service providers or contractors have failed to deliver the expected contract deliverables.
• Develop, implement and maintain quality assurance process and protocols.
• Oversee and act as the deputy lead assisting the Group Head General Services during contract mobilisation process, ensuring seamless transition and adherence to the developed mobilisation strategy.
• Support and advise key functions within the cluster and Aldar Education HQ on operational, financial, HSE and Audit and Regulatory Compliance matters and be accountable for their effectiveness and compliance.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Lead and support a culture of "no hurt, no harm" through proactive and pragmatic risk-based decision making.
• Promote and demonstrate a supportive and business-focused approach to the management of risk, with a solution-based mentality.
• Act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness and ensure their cluster complies with current Health and Safety legislation or guidelines as issued by Aldar Education HQ.
• Professionally offer challenge and fact-led opinion on decision making in relation to risk mitigation for the benefit of the wider Aldar group.
• Drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout their team.
• Support each school within their cluster in establishing specific health, safety and environmental-related aims and objectives and ensuring that they are delivered within the required timelines.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant Service Guidelines and Policies, developing and challenging where necessary.
• Drive and support the use of the AVA system to ensure compliance regarding incident management.
• Ensure all health, safety and environmental-related inspections and audits are completed in line with the Aldar Education safety management system, using a supportive and coaching nature, helping to remove barriers and promoting improvements in standards through teamwork.

Values & Culture

• Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in Aldar Education Core Values.
• Embody the values, vision and ethos of Aldar Education and assist the department in implementing process and policy which will ensure high quality and successful outcomes.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in a business-related subject; or Related industry qualification of graduate level for the assigned functional area(s).
• Certificate of School Business Management, Facilities Management, NEBOSH or IOSH preferable.
• At least 5 years' experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.

Skills & Competencies

• Fluent English and Arabic communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Forethought and forward planning, particularly as this relates to local Government compliance matters.
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong and consistent supervisory skills.
• Commercial acumen.
• Initiate effort and energy beyond the typical workday where tasks require additional commitment.

Additional Information

Aldar Education offers an attractive remuneration package including medical cover, flights, housing, and free child school places.

Professional development, coaching and training are prioritized 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 others as well as developing themselves.

Aldar Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and is mindful of its national development strategy, encouraging UAE Nationals in their application.

Aldar Education 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.