Head - Strategic Planning & Execution

Role Overview

Head – Strategic Planning & Execution at Aldar Education, Abu Dhabi. This role drives the development, alignment, and tracking of Aldar Education's strategic direction and integrated planning.

Company Overview

Aldar Education is Abu Dhabi's largest and most established education group and a leading force in the UAE's education sector. Since its inception in 2007 with 250 students, the organization has grown to operate 27 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies in partnership with prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King's College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities, delivering world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through K12.

Role Purpose

You will play a pivotal role in bridging long-term strategy with annual planning and budget cycles, ensuring alignment across functions and robust performance reporting. You will partner closely with the Investment & Growth Team to generate market intelligence and actionable insights that directly inform executive decision-making and shape submissions to EXCOM and the Board.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Coordination

• Coordinate and facilitate the annual strategic planning cycle and offsites, ensuring executive input and alignment.
• Act as focal point for the strategy planning calendar, ensuring cross-functional integration of timelines.
• Consolidate departmental annual plans including objectives, KPIs, initiatives, and manpower and validate strategic fit.
• Collaborate closely with Finance to integrate strategic assumptions into the budget and business plan.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Own and update CXO and N-1 scorecards across Aldar Education HQ; ensure KPIs are aligned with Group themes.
• Maintain and enhance tools, dashboards, and processes related to performance tracking and scorecards.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and year-end performance reports for EXCOM and Board.
• Prepare sections of the annual Strategic Business Plan deck presented to EXCOM and Board.

Governance & Program Management

• Work closely with the EPMO team to ensure strategic and transformation programs and projects are well structured, governed, and delivered.
• Support change management efforts to enable smooth adoption of strategic initiatives and digital transformation programs.
• Ensure alignment between Aldar Education and Group strategy, including reporting and submissions.

Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Translate external trends, competitor analysis, and market intelligence into actionable recommendations.
• Prepare impactful presentations and strategic materials for executive decision-making.

Special Projects

• Support special projects and cross-functional initiatives assigned by the Director of Strategy and CEO.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Education Management, or related field.
• Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• 8+ years in strategic planning, management consulting, or corporate strategy roles.
• Experience in top consulting firms or large-scale strategy or PMO functions strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in developing strategy frameworks, business plans, and KPIs.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong strategy development and execution capabilities.
• Advanced analytical skills including KPIs, performance dashboards, and market intelligence.
• Familiarity with financial modelling and integrated planning.
• Excellent communication skills in verbal, written, and presentation formats.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with BI tools and dashboards preferred.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to influence without authority and work across cross-functional teams.

Additional Information

Aldar Education offers an attractive remuneration package including medical and life insurance, flights, and education benefits. Employees have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

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. Aldar Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages UAE Nationals to join the company.