Manager - Operations (Charter Schools)

Aldar Academies; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education, part of the Aldar Academies group, is seeking an experienced Operations Director to lead the administration and support services across the school, implementing a service culture and ensuring efficient staff deployment and recruitment of high‑calibre candidates.

You will advise the Principal and HQ on operational, safety and regulatory matters, drive audits and compliance, support professional development, and help steer the school’s business improvement plans to meet Strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field.
• Graduate-level qualification in School Business/Facilities Management or NEBOSH/IOSH preferable.
• Minimum 5 years in a senior role in education or service industry.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations administration and support service teams across the school.
• Implement service culture and ensure efficient staff deployment.
• Advise Principal and Aldar HQ on operational and HSE matters.
• Ensure compliance with audits and regulatory requirements.
• Lead recruitment and professional development for operations staff.

Skills

Fluent English

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Organizational ability

Forethought & planning

Influencing people

Interpersonal skills

Supervisory skills

Commercial acumen

Initiative beyond hours

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business

CSBM/Facilities Mgmt/NEBOSH/IOSH preferable

Job description

Main Duties

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 and with the principal recruitment of high calibre candidates to join the Aldar Education operations and support service teams To 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 To implement processes and provide strategic guidance to the Principal Senior Leadership and Aldar Education HQ on Audit and Regulatory Compliance matters ensuring that schools maintain compliance throughout the year in all authority and internal audit visits To ensure that all operations and support service staff are supported with high quality continuous professional development and training which contributes to the development and achievements of the school To support the principal in achieving the 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

Specific Duties

General Operations

To support the principal in implementing the agreed business strategy for the School Development and implementation of policies systems processes and student safeguarding measures in conjunction with the Aldar Education HQ ensuring all new policy and processes are school focused prior to implementation throughout the group Be contactable outside of normal School hours available to attend site to support the Operations Team when required in line with the Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols

Leadership and Management

Develop the performance and efficient working hours of the administration and support service teams to ensure high standards of service are maintained throughout the School s and that all teams provide a collegial efficient and effective service culture Continuously review school support services operating models and staffing levels to ensure the school is suitably resourced to deliver key objectives whilst ensuring school financial and operational performance is maintained Lead the recruitment professional development appraisal and training of all Operations Support Service staff ensuring that each member of the team undergoes an individual development plan to help the school in building a high performance team

Finance Commercial and Procurement

Lead on operational budget development Continually reviewing opportunities for shared resource cost and or services across those schools they hold responsibility for to ensure that the schools benefit from improved access to service teams and physical resources ie support staff transport etc Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are followed at all times

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the Aldar Education Core Values Ensure that schools are 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 coordinated and that 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 & Environment

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

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors (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.

Minimum Experience

At least 5 years experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• 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.