Head - Operations

Aldar Academies; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Academies seeks a senior operations leader to oversee cluster facilities, safety, and service delivery across its base schools. You will partner with Principals and HQ to drive compliant, efficient operations and strategic capital projects.

The role requires 5+ years in senior operations within education or service sectors, a business degree, NEBOSH, and strong English communication. You will champion AI and digital tools to enhance decision-making and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject and NEBOSH; or related industry qualification, graduate level.
• At least 5 years experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.
• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
• AI and digital literacy, ability to leverage emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.
• Capable of influencing people and networking with cultural sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Lead cluster operations aligning with Aldar Education priorities and quality standards.
• Drive financial and operational performance, optimise Opex and Capex, cost efficiencies and ROI across base schools.
• Oversee operations administration and support services to maintain high standards cluster-wide.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, audits, and safety standards; manage audit findings.
• Champion AI, automation and digital tools to streamline processes and improve decision-making across the cluster.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

AI & digital literacy

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

NEBOSH certification

Job description

Main Duties

To provide strategic and functional leadership across the cluster driving operational excellence through strong leadership clear communication innovation and robust processes To lead and be accountable for the day-to-day operational management of the designated base school partnering with the Principal and leadership team to deliver safe compliant efficient and customer-focused operations To act as the senior operational lead for the cluster ensuring consistency standardisation and alignment with Aldar Education s strategic priorities and quality standards To drive financial and operational performance optimising Opex and Capex resources cost efficiencies and return on investment across the base school and cluster To lead the effective delivery of operations administration and support services across the cluster ensuring consistently high standards To provide strategic guidance to Principals school-based operational leads and HQ functions on operations financial management risk safety sustainability audit and regulatory compliance To ensure continuous compliance with internal policies regulatory requirements and authority standards including the effective management and closure of audit and inspection findings To lead capital deployment and operational requirements associated with growth expansion and key development projects across the cluster To develop and strengthen school-based operational teams through effective leadership performance management coaching and professional development To lead the operational elements of school and cluster business improvement plans ensuring effective delivery against agreed strategic objectives To champion a proactive culture of health safety sustainability and operational risk management across the base school and cluster To champion the use of AI automation and digital solutions to simplify processes strengthen decision-making and drive operational efficiency across the base school and cluster.

Specific Duties

General Operations

To support the principals and school-based operational leads in implementing the agreed business strategy for both the school and cluster Development and implementation of policies systems processes and student safeguarding measures relevant to their cluster and in conjunction with HQ teams to ensure business continuity and service deliverables Initiate and identify good practices within their cluster and ensure these are implemented throughout the group in order to streamline operations processes and policies and secure efficiencies Lead in the effective delivery of key projects such as new builds and major expansions supporting project stakeholders sharing knowledge and implementing good practice during pre-ops and project execution Be contactable outside of normal school hours available to attend site to support the operations teams when required in line with the Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols To actively integrate AI automation and digital tools into day-to-day operations to streamline processes improve efficiency and enhance service delivery Leadership amp Management

Leadership amp Management

Oversee the performance of the operations administration and support service staff to ensure high standards of service are maintained throughout the cluster and provide a collegial efficient and effective service culture Continuously review school support services operating models and staffing levels to ensure the cluster is suitably resourced to deliver key objectives whilst ensuring school financial and operational performance is maintained Oversee the recruitment professional development appraisal and training programs of all operations administration and support service staff ensuring that members of the team undergo an individual development plan to help the school and cluster in building a high-performance team Finance Commercial amp Procurement

Finance Commercial amp Procurement

To support the principal and school-based operational leads in developing amp monitoring all relevant budgets and expenditure particularly operational costs ensuring the department receives best value and service at all times Continually reviewing opportunities for shared resource cost and or services across the cluster they hold responsibility for to ensure that the schools benefit from improved access to service teams and physical resources i e support staff transport etc Support the school-based operational leads in reviewing amp preparing all relevant information e g scope of work purchase requisition specifications to initiate tenders and develop weighted pre-determined evaluation criteria amp assist school-based operational leads amp Procurement in the technical evaluation of the tender documents submitted Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are followed at all times Relationship amp Stakeholder Management

Relationship amp Stakeholder Management

Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the Aldar Education core values Ensure that assigned cluster is fully compliant with local government authority regulations to safeguard against fines of any nature as a result of non-renewal of contracts at school level Ensure all internal and external audits are effectively managed and that actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner Conduct operational investigations as required following an incident for the purpose of improvement to key processes or policies to ensure school operations remain efficient 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 amp Environment

Health Safety amp Environment

To lead and support a culture of no hurt no harm through pro-active and pragmatic risk-based decision making To promote and demonstrate a supportive and business focused approach to the management of risk with a solution- based mentality To act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness and ensure their cluster complies with current health amp safety legislation and or guidelines as issued by Aldar Education HQ advising the cluster team accordingly Professionally offering challenge and fact led opinion on decision making in relation to risk mitigation for the benefit of the wider Aldar group Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject and NEBOSH; or Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s)At least 5 years experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.Fluent English 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 the tasks require additional commitment.AI and digital literacy, with the ability to effectively leverage emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency and decision-making.