Manager - Operations (Charter Schools)

Role Overview

Manager - Operations (Charter Schools) at Aldar Education in Abu Dhabi. This role offers an exciting opportunity to join a highly successful family of schools and help shape the future of Abu Dhabi's leading school group.

Company Overview

Aldar Education has grown since 2007 from 250 students to serve over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities. The group operates more than 25 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 delivers world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through K12, contributing to the UAE's vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education.

Role Purpose

To be responsible for the organisation and delivery of operations, administration and support service teams across the school(s), implementing a service culture and ensuring efficient, effective staff deployment. This role supports the Principal and Senior Leadership on operational, health, safety and environmental matters while maintaining compliance with all authority and internal audit requirements.

Key Responsibilities

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 Aldar Education HQ, ensuring all new policies and processes are school-focused prior to implementation throughout the group.
• Be contactable outside 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 and Management

• Develop the performance and efficient working of the administration and support service teams to ensure high standards of service are maintained throughout the school(s).
• Lead recruitment, professional development, appraisal and training of all Operations and Support Service staff, ensuring each team member has an individual development plan to build a high performance team.
• Continuously review school support services operating models and staffing levels to ensure the school is suitably resourced to deliver key objectives whilst maintaining school financial and operational performance.
• Ensure all operations and support service staff receive high quality continuous professional development and training that contributes to school development and achievement.
• Implement a service culture ensuring efficient, effective staff deployment and working with the Principal on recruitment of high calibre candidates to join Aldar Education operations and support service teams.

Finance, Commercial and Procurement

• Lead operational budget development.
• Continually review opportunities for shared resource, cost and/or services across schools to ensure the 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.

Strategic Guidance and Compliance

• Support and advise the Principal, Senior Leadership and Aldar Education HQ on operational and HSE matters and be accountable for their effectiveness using robust performance management systems.
• Implement processes and provide strategic guidance to the Principal, Senior Leadership and Aldar Education HQ on Audit and Regulatory Compliance matters, ensuring schools maintain compliance throughout the year in all authority and internal audit visits.
• Support the Principal in achieving key strategic objectives for the school through formulating and leading on specific aspects of the school business and/or improvement plan as they relate to operations and support services.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in Aldar Education Core Values.
• Ensure schools are fully compliant with local government authority regulations to safeguard against fines as a result of non-renewal of contracts at school level.
• Ensure all internal and external audits are effectively coordinated and actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Understand the effects and implications of government policies, legislation and directives, developing effective strategies for current initiatives and long-term educational trends and developments.

Health, Safety and Environment

• Act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness and ensure the school complies with current Health and Safety legislation and/or guidelines as issued by Aldar Education HQ, advising the School Leadership team accordingly.
• Drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout teams and act as a champion for health and safety.
• Support the Principal in establishing school-specific health, safety and environmental related aims and objectives and ensuring they are delivered within required timelines.
• Ensure all internal and external health, safety and environmental related audits are effectively coordinated and actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Ensure all health, safety and environmental related inspections are completed in line with Aldar Education standards and any actions arising from such inspections are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Support the effective delivery of a health and safety committee within the school, which meets on a monthly basis.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (BSc) in 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 communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up and ability 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.
• Ability to initiate effort and energy beyond the typical workday where tasks require additional commitment.

Additional Information

Aldar Education offers an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits. The organization places special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training for both students and staff. Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time.

Aldar Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. The organization is dedicated to its national development strategy and encourages UAE Nationals to apply.

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.