Initiative Manager

Aldar Education; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 240,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education in Abu Dhabi is seeking an Initiative Manager to lead end-to-end digital and cross-functional initiatives, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, risks, and dependencies for successful delivery.

You will ensure alignment with strategic priorities and governance frameworks, and provide regular progress reports across departments. This role supports Aldar's growing family of schools and the UAE's education objectives.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience managing initiatives, projects, or programs.
• PM/Change-management certification(s) preferred.
• Excellent English written and spoken communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of digital initiatives.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to achieve objectives.
• Monitor timelines, risks, and dependencies; manage issues.
• Provide regular status reports and governance updates to leadership.
• Support continuous improvement of delivery processes and governance.

Skills

English proficiency

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Planning & scheduling

Attention to detail

Education

Certifications in PM/Change Management

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Initiative Manager

Aldar Education is currently seeking an Initiative Manager for an immediate start in Abu Dhabi to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

Initiative Manager is responsible for leading end-to-end digital and cross-functional initiatives, coordinating stakeholders, timelines, risks, and dependencies to ensure successful delivery. Ensures all initiatives align with strategic priorities and governance frameworks. Provides regular reporting on progress, issues, and key milestones across departments.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.

At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and industry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of digital, technology, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ensure initiatives are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational strategy.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to achieve agreed objectives.
• Monitor progress, manage risks, and resolve issues to ensure successful outcomes.
• Support governance processes and ensure compliance with agreed frameworks and standards.

Specific Duties

• Develop and maintain initiative plans, including scope, timelines, milestones, and dependencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure clear ownership, accountability, and collaboration.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks, issues, and change requests throughout the initiative lifecycle.
• Track progress against plans and elevate issues when required.
• Ensure initiatives remain aligned with strategic priorities and approved governance processes.
• Prepare and deliver regular status reports, dashboards, and updates for leadership and key stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and reviews to support effective decision-making.
• Manage the backlog, planning and implementation of the BAU development resources to deliver on continuous system enhancements and improvements
• Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to optimize processes and delivery approaches.

Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant professional experience demonstrating the ability to manage initiatives, projects, or programs.
• Professional certifications in project, program, or change management

Minimum Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in managing projects, initiatives, or cross-functional workstreams.
• Experience working in digital, technology, or transformation-focused environments is preferred.
• Education or other service-related industry experience preferable.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Excellent English language skills, written and oral.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative and effective manner, both independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Strong capability to establish and maintain professional relationships within and across the organization.
• Hands-on mindset to solve challenges with relevant solutions.
• High attention to detail with diligent follow-up and the ability to execute in a timely manner.
• Strong multi-tasking skills and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills, both personal and in coordinating others.
• Capable of influencing stakeholders and building networks with cultural sensitivity.
• Great interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to think strategically while managing day-to-day execution.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in planning, tracking, and reporting tools (e.g., project management or collaboration tools).

What We Offer:

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow, so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school and educational leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package, including a range of benefits. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff, so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching, and training.

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.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are dedicated to our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application to our company.

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.