Senior Manager - Operations and Support Services

Aldar Education LLC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 220,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical cover

flights

housing

free child school places

professional development

coaching

training

Job summary

Aldar Education seeks a Senior Manager - Operations and Support Services to act as a cluster lead, providing strategic and operational support to Principals and Operations Managers across the group. The role requires ensuring effective oversight of operations, administration, and support service activities while maintaining compliance with policies, HSE requirements, and audit standards.

You will drive process improvements, support recruitment, monitor performance, and coordinate with HQ on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a business-related subject or graduate-level equivalent.
• Certificate such as NEBOSH/IOSH or School Business Management is preferable.
• 5+ years of senior-level experience in education or service industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the assigned specialist function and align with strategic directives.
• Oversee operations, administration, and support service teams across the cluster.
• Promote a service culture and efficient deployment of staff.
• Advise on operational, financial, HSE, audit and regulatory compliance matters.
• Monitor performance via robust management systems.
• Support recruitment and professional development for Operations staff.
• Coordinate with HQ and schools to ensure readiness during audits.
• Ensure schools comply with regulatory requirements and improve processes.

Skills

English fluency

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Forward planning

Stakeholder influence

Interpersonal skills

Supervisory capability

Commercial acumen

Willingness to go extra mile

Education

Bachelor's degree in business-related subject

Graduate-level qualification

Certificate (SBM/Facilities/NEBOSH/IOSH) preferable

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Senior Manager - Operations and Support Services

Location: Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Education Management

Function: Operations-Plant Management

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

Job Type: Not specified

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Abu Dhabi Emirate

Salary: Not disclosed

Gender: No Preference

Candidate Nationality: Not specified

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager - Operations and Support Services acts as a cluster lead and specialist-function advisor, providing strategic and operational support to a group of Principals and Operations Managers. The position is accountable for the effective oversight of operations, administration, and support service activities and for maintaining compliance with Aldar Education and ESE policies, HSE requirements, audit standards, and regulatory directives. The role also supports the implementation of processes and policies that improve service quality, operational efficiency, cost effectiveness, and successful outcomes across the assigned schools.

Main Duties

• Lead the assigned specialist function and establish a consistent, streamlined approach aligned with strategic directives, quality standards, cost efficiency, and return on investment.
• Oversee the organization and delivery of operations, administration, and support service teams across the assigned cluster.
• Promote a service culture and ensure efficient deployment of Operations and Support Service staff.
• Work with HQ teams to support the recruitment of high-calibre candidates for Operations and Support Service functions.
• Advise cluster and HQ functions on operational, financial, HSE, audit, and regulatory compliance matters.
• Use robust performance management systems to monitor the effectiveness of operational and support services.
• Provide strategic guidance to Principals, Senior Leadership, and Aldar Education HQ on audit and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure schools maintain readiness and compliance throughout authority and internal audit visits.
• Support continuous professional development and training for Operations and Support Service staff.
• Lead relevant operational and support-service elements of school business and improvement plans.
• Champion a positive and proactive health and safety culture across cluster teams.
• Oversee the efficiency of support functions, including Procurement and IT, in coordination with HQ functional reporting lines.
• Maintain regular liaison with project stakeholders to improve operational excellence and efficiency across schools and the cluster.

General Operations

• Support Principals and Operations Managers in implementing agreed school and cluster business strategies.
• Develop and implement relevant policies, systems, processes, and student safeguarding measures in conjunction with Aldar Education HQ.
• Support business continuity and the effective delivery of operational services.
• Identify good practices within the cluster and share them across the group to streamline processes, policies, and operations.
• Remain contactable outside normal school hours and attend sites when required under Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols.
• Support Operations Managers and project stakeholders with key projects, including new builds and major expansions.
• Share operational knowledge and good practice throughout project execution.

Leadership and Management

• Oversee the performance of Operations and Support Service staff and maintain high service standards across assigned schools.
• Promote a collegial, efficient, and effective service culture within cluster teams.
• Review support-service operating models and staffing levels to ensure schools are appropriately resourced.
• Balance operational requirements with school financial and performance objectives.
• Contribute to recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and training of Operations and Support Service staff.
• Support individual development planning and the creation of high-performing teams.
• Facilitate effective coordination between schools, cluster leadership, ESE, and HQ functions.

Finance, Commercial and Procurement

• Support Principals and Operations Managers in developing and monitoring relevant budgets and expenditure, particularly operational costs.
• Help ensure appropriate value and service are achieved from operational expenditure.
• Review opportunities to share resources, costs, and services across the cluster.
• Identify opportunities to improve access to support teams and physical resources, including support staff and transport.
• Assist Operations Managers in preparing scopes of work, purchase requisitions, specifications, and other information required to initiate tenders.
• Support the development of weighted evaluation criteria and technical evaluation of tender submissions with Operations Managers and Procurement.
• Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are followed consistently.

Relationship and Stakeholder Management

• Promote the standards of excellence defined through the Aldar Education Core Values.
• Ensure assigned schools comply with relevant local government authority regulations.
• Support timely renewal and compliance activities to safeguard schools against regulatory fines.
• Ensure internal and external audits are effectively managed.
• Monitor completion of corrective actions arising from audits.
• Assess the operational implications of government policies, legislation, and directives.
• Support strategies addressing current initiatives and longer‑term educational developments.

Health, Safety and Environment

• Lead and support a "no hurt, no harm " culture through proactive, risk‑based decision‑making.
• Promote a practical and business‑focused approach to risk management.
• Act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness across the assigned cluster.
• Ensure compliance with applicable health and safety legislation and guidelines issued by Aldar Education HQ.
• Provide fact‑led professional input on risk mitigation decisions for the wider Aldar Group.
• Support each school in establishing and delivering health, safety, and environmental objectives within required timelines.
• Ensure adherence to relevant service guidelines and policies.
• Drive and support use of the AVA system for incident management compliance.
• Ensure required health, safety, and environmental inspections and audits are completed in accordance with the Aldar Education safety management system.
• Use a supportive and coaching approach to address barriers and improve HSE standards through teamwork.

Specialist Function

• Ensure the assigned specialist area complies with relevant industry standards, specifications, and regulations.
• Apply Aldar Education 's standards of excellence consistently across the specialist function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor 's degree (BSc) in a business-related subject; or
• Graduate‑level industry qualification relevant to the assigned functional area.
• Certificate of School Business Management, Facilities Management, NEBOSH, or IOSH is preferable.

Experience

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

Knowledge and Skills

• Fluent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail with diligent follow‑up and timely execution.
• Ability to multitask and perform effectively under pressure.
• Strong organizational skills for managing personal and team priorities.
• Forward planning capability, particularly for local government compliance matters.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and build professional networks with cultural sensitivity.
• Good interpersonal and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Strong and consistent supervisory capability.
• Commercial acumen.
• Willingness to provide additional commitment when operational requirements extend beyond the typical working day.

What We Offer

• medical cover
• flights
• housing
• free child school places
• professional development
• coaching
• training

Safeguarding and Appointment Requirements

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.

About Aldar Education

Established in 2007, Aldar Education operates owned and managed schools and academies in the UAE and works with educational institutions including Rugby School, King 's College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The group provides education across a range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through K12 and supports the UAE 's vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.