School Operations Manager

Taaleem; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 391,000 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced School Operations Manager to lead campus operations, including procurement, facilities, H&S, ESG, events, and shared services. You will report to the Head of Business Operations and work closely with the Principal to drive compliance and efficiency.

The role requires proven leadership of cross-functional teams, strong vendor management, and a focus on safeguarding and regulatory readiness within a pioneering, founding-school context.

Qualifications

• Experience as a School Operations Manager or similar role in an educational setting.
• Ability to lead multiple operational disciplines and teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational services at campus level, ensuring compliant, cost‑effective delivery.
• Provide leadership for Facilities Manager, Procurement assistant, IT assistant and Head nurse with KPIs and appraisals.
• Lead H&S programs, maintain documentation, chair HSE meetings, and coordinate post‑incident actions.
• Approve events and excursions per policy; liaise with transport and vendors.
• Monitor R&M budgets and maintenance; escalate site-level risks and oversee CCTV usage.
• Renew licenses, maintain inspection records, and onboard ECAs/ASAs and third-party vendors.
• Act as site ESG champion; drive sustainability and reduce utility usage.
• Contribute to campus planning and oversee CIP project delivery and approvals.
• Coordinate transport, catering, ASA, and uniform providers; manage shared services.
• Oversee IT procurement and onboarding; resolve escalated IT issues.

Skills

Staff management

Procurement oversight

Health & safety

Facilities management

ESG & sustainability

Vendor & contract management

Campus development

Shared services coordination

IT end-user support

Job description

Taaileem is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment.

All successful applicants must be willing to undergo enhanced child protection screening appropriate to the post, including various background checks including, receipt of high-quality references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks. No member of staff will be able to start until these checks are complete and this process takes, on average, amonth.

Harrow International School Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced and competent School Operations Manager to join its founding school.

As part of our founding team, you will play a pivotal role in building a vibrant and inclusive community where the learning of every individual is at the heart of daily life. Guided by the Harrow values, our staff will create an environment in which every pupil is nurtured, challenged, and empowered to achieve their very best.

Job Purpose

The School Operations Manager oversees all operational services at campus level, ensuring smooth, compliant, and cost-effective delivery. Reporting directly to the Head of Business Operations and working closely with the Principal, the role covers key functions such as procurement, facilities, H&S, events, ESG, and shared services. The role also ensures regulatory readiness and contributes to school improvement plans through cross-functional coordination.

Key Accountabilities:

Staff Management

• Develop and maintain effective partnerships and engage in positive communication with all staff, senior leaders, HOBO and the Principal.

• Provide leadership for the Facilities Manager, Procurement assistant, IT assistant and Head nurse. This includes ensuring they adhere to their accountabilities and KPIs, supporting their professional development, conducting appraisals, and addressing performance issues.

• Adhere to the school’s policies and procedures and ensure all supervised staff do as well.

Purchasing and Contract Management

• Oversee operational budgets (R&M, FFE, licensing, utilities, IT), POs, and DoA compliance.

• Review procurement documentation and vendor payments; monitor advance payments and credit card use.

• Ensure deliveries are asset tagged per policy.

• QA/QC the vendor performance and elevate quality issues where required.

Health and Safety

• Lead implementation of Taaleem and regulatory H&S protocols, and site safety infrastructure.

• Maintain H&S documentation (risk assessments, inspections, drill records, protocols etc.).

• Chair HSE meeting.

• Complete and escalated incident reports per internal systems and regulatory portals and coordinate with Facilities and Principal for post-incident investigations.

• Lead government inspections and coordinate post-crisis H&S site checks.

Events and excursions

• Oversee school event and field trip approvals to ensure they follow Taaleem’s Events & Excursions Policy.

• Liaise with transport and third-party vendors; support with escalated trip-related issues.

Facilities Management

• Monitor R&M budgets and maintenance delivery in collaboration with Facilities Manager.

• Escalate site-level risks that threaten continuity of operations.

• Oversee CCTV usage for regulatory and internal policy compliance.

Compliance

• Ensure timely renewal of all key licenses (e.g., Civil Defence, Clinic, Trade).

• Maintain compliance records for inspections; report non-conformance to CO.

• Oversee onboarding documentation for ECAs, ASAs, and third-party vendors.

• Monitor adherence to Taaleem and UAE authority policies.

ESG and energy conservation

• Act as site ESG champion; lead sustainability, waste reduction, and recycling initiatives.

• Liaise with CO teams to upcycle outdated equipment and reduce utility usage in line with group targets.

Campus Development

• Contribute to the school’s strategic campus planning and monitor ongoing infrastructure needs.

• Oversee delivery of approved CIP projects; ensure all building modifications have proper authority approvals.

Shared Services

• Coordinate transport, catering, ASA, and uniform providers with support from CO teams.

• Approve space allocation for ECAs and shared services.

• Manage provider performance, changes, and communication to relevant stakeholders.

• Lead commission tracking for all other income with the support of the Shared Services Manager.

IT end user support

• Oversee IT and software procurement against approved budgets.

• Support IT onboarding for new staff and resolve escalated operational IT issues.

• Monitor printing systems and coordinate asset usage with CO IT.