Head of Operations - School Services

Aldar Education; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking a Head of Operations - School Services to support principals and lead school-based teams. The role focuses on improving service standards and managing risks across schools in the UAE.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in school operations, with at least 5 years of experience in a senior-level role. Responsibilities include overseeing operations teams, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior-level operations role.
• Strong understanding of school operations and regulatory compliance.
• Experience supporting principals and senior leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive operational efficiency across the assigned school cluster.
• Lead operational initiatives required by HQ departments.
• Oversee Operations teams and outsourced service providers.

Skills

School operations

Cluster operations management

Education operations

Facilities management

Outsourced service management

Service delivery

Operational leadership

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a business-related subject

Graduate-level industry qualification

Certificate in School Business Management or relevant area

Job description

Head of Operations - School Services

This senior operations leader will support principals, lead school‑based operations teams, improve service standards, manage risk, and ensure safe, compliant, and efficient school operations across a group of Aldar Education schools.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive operational efficiency across the assigned school cluster through clear leadership, strong communication, defined strategy, and practical operating processes.
• Work closely with cluster principals and HQ senior leadership teams to implement consistent operational standards across schools.
• Lead and support operational initiatives required by HQ departments to ensure a group‑led approach to school operations.
• Oversee Operations teams and outsourced service providers to ensure effective service delivery, staff deployment, and customer‑focused support.
• Support recruitment of high‑calibre Operations staff and outsourced service team members across the school cluster.
• Advise principals, school leadership teams, and HQ functions on operational, financial, risk, safety, sustainability, audit, and regulatory compliance matters.
• Manage operational and capital budgets to support cost efficiency, service quality, return on investment, and long‑term school performance.
• Lead operational capital deployment related to growth, new builds, expansions, and key school development projects.
• Provide strategic guidance on audit and regulatory compliance to ensure schools remain prepared for authority and internal audit visits throughout the year.
• Ensure Operations and outsourced service staff receive relevant professional development and training.
• Oversee NPS and other strategic objectives linked to operations, support services, and school improvement plans.
• Support other business functions where operational input is required for strategic projects, compliance matters, or school delivery needs.
• Promote a proactive culture of safety, health, environmental responsibility, sustainability, and risk management across the cluster.
• Oversee performance of operations and outsourced service staff to maintain high service standards and a collaborative service culture.
• Review school support service operating models, staffing levels, and shared resource opportunities to improve efficiency and school performance.
• Manage dotted‑line oversight for relevant school‑based administrative teams including leave, attendance, and resource allocation coordination.
• Implement policies, service guidelines, systems, and processes in partnership with HQ teams to support business continuity.
• Identify good practices within the cluster and help roll them out across the wider group where they can improve consistency and efficiency.
• Remain available outside normal school hours when required to support critical incidents in line with Aldar Education protocols.
• Support school‑based operational leads with tender preparation, evaluation criteria, technical evaluations, procurement documentation, and supplier coordination.
• Ensure Delegation of Authority procedures are followed for relevant operational, procurement, and financial activities.
• Lead delivery support for new builds, major expansions, pre‑operations activities, and project execution initiatives.
• Ensure assigned schools comply with local government authority regulations, licences, contracts, and statutory requirements.
• Manage internal and external audit actions, ensuring findings are closed on time and process improvements are implemented.
• Conduct operational investigations after incidents to identify lessons learned and improve relevant policies or procedures.
• Monitor outsourced contracts including facilities management, student transport, school uniforms, catering, facility rental, housing, property support, insurance, and related services.
• Track provider performance against contractual terms, service standards, budget expectations, and school customer requirements.
• Ensure housing contracts, property management processes, government clearances, rental closures, and insurance policies are managed in line with compliance requirements.
• Lead HSE effectiveness across the cluster and ensure schools comply with health and safety legislation, Aldar Education guidelines, and relevant management systems.
• Ensure HSE inspections, audits, clinic operations, safety reviews, and corrective actions are completed and quality assured.
• Support implementation of Business Continuity Management plans in line with Aldar Group Risk Management requirements.
• Monitor compliance with ISO45001 standards and support implementation of ISO45003 and ISO26000 where applicable.
• Support sustainability accreditations such as TASS and Green Flag across the school cluster.
• Contribute to Aldar Group's Net Zero 2050 Strategy by supporting sustainability initiatives and responsible operational practices.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in a business‑related subject.
• Graduate‑level industry qualification in a relevant functional area may also be considered.
• Certificate in School Business Management, Facilities Management, NEBOSH, or IOSH will be an advantage.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior‑level operations role within education, facilities, service delivery, or a service‑oriented industry.
• Strong understanding of school operations, outsourced service management, facilities services, HSE, procurement, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience supporting principals, senior leadership teams, and HQ functions across multiple locations or business units.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, improve cost efficiency, and support return on capital investment.
• Good knowledge of local government compliance matters, audit readiness, authority requirements, and school operating standards.
• Strong supervisory skills with the ability to lead operations teams, service providers, and school‑based support staff.
• Fluent written and spoken English communication skills.
• High attention to detail with diligent follow‑up and ability to execute tasks in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multitasking, handling pressure, and managing competing operational priorities.
• Strong organizational ability for self, teams, systems, reports, budgets, and service workflows.
• Able to influence people, build networks, and work with cultural sensitivity in a diverse school environment.
• Good interpersonal skills with a professional, service‑focused, and solution‑oriented approach.
• Willing to contribute additional effort when urgent operational, compliance, or safety matters require immediate attention.

Key Skills

• School operations
• Cluster operations management
• Education operations
• Facilities management
• Outsourced service management
• Service delivery
• Operational leadership
• Budget management
• Capital budget control
• Cost efficiency
• Procurement support
• Tender evaluation
• Delegation of Authority
• Regulatory compliance
• Government authority compliance
• Audit management
• Internal audits
• External audits
• Risk management
• HSE leadership
• School safety
• ISO45001
• ISO45003
• ISO26000
• Business Continuity Management
• Critical incident response
• Facilities management contracts
• Student transport management
• Catering service management
• Uniform service coordination
• Housing contract management
• Property management compliance
• Insurance coordination
• School clinic operations
• Sustainability accreditation
• TASS
• Green Flag
• Net Zero strategy
• Staff deployment
• Team supervision
• Performance management
• Professional development
• Stakeholder coordination
• Principal support
• HQ coordination
• Service culture
• Commercial acumen