CEO Education

RighthirePlus; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

An education-focused organization in Kuala Lumpur seeks a strategic leader as the CEO of Education. The role encompasses overseeing the education division's vision, growth, and academic excellence while managing full P&L responsibilities. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience with a focus on international school operations and a master's degree in education leadership or a related field. Exceptional leadership, communication, and analytical skills are essential for driving high-impact educational success.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in education management.
• Experience in international school operations preferred.
• Track record in business expansion and P&L leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction and vision of the education portfolio.
• Drive business development initiatives and portfolio expansion.
• Manage full P&L accountability for the education division.
• Oversee talent acquisition and organizational culture.
• Ensure operational excellence and compliance with regulations.
• Act as the primary spokesperson for the education portfolio.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Business Development

Financial Management

Talent Management

Communication Skills

Education

Master's degree in Education Leadership or Business Administration

Job description

Position Overview

The CEO of Education will serve as the strategic leader and operational head of the organization's education division. This individual will be responsible for shaping the vision, driving growth, ensuring academic excellence, and managing the full P&L of the education portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of deep education sector expertise, proven business acumen, and inspirational leadership skills to build and scale a high-impact, sustainable education enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop, execute, and continuously refine the overall education business strategy (short, mid, and long-term) in alignment with the group's corporate objectives.
• Establish and communicate a compelling vision, mission, and educational philosophy that guides curriculum development and the growth roadmap.
• Formulate and implement strategic plans focused on operational excellence, academic innovation, and long-term business sustainability.
• Lead strategic planning for new school establishments and geographic expansion, including feasibility studies, licensing, partnerships, and capital planning.
• Ensure robust governance and strict compliance with board policies, Ministry of Education regulations, international accreditation standards, and financial controls.

2. Business Development & Portfolio Expansion

• Drive the expansion of the education portfolio, including the launch of new preschools, international schools, enrichment centers, and digital learning platforms.
• Oversee comprehensive market development, competitor analysis, and the identification of new revenue streams and market opportunities.
• Lead business development initiatives to forge strategic alliances with curriculum partners, EdTech providers, accreditation bodies, and international education networks.
• Define and ensure consistent brand positioning and unique school differentiation to enhance market competitiveness.
• Build and maintain long-term strategic relationships with regulatory authorities, education councils, community leaders, and global academic institutions.

3. Financial & P&L Management

• Hold full P&L accountability for the Education Division's financial performance.
• Ensure sustainable financial planning, including the development of tuition frameworks, fee strategies, cost control mechanisms, and capital investment governance.
• Develop, review, and manage annual budgets, financial forecasts, resource planning, and expenditure monitoring.
• Identify and secure new sources of funding, grants, sponsorships, and alternative educational income streams.

4. Talent & Organizational Culture

• Oversee end-to-end talent strategy for academic and operational leadership roles, including acquisition, recruitment, development, and succession planning.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance, and supportive organizational culture that promotes staff retention, continuous learning, and professional growth.
• Ensure the effective implementation of performance review systems, mentoring programs, training initiatives, and probation assessments in line with organizational policy.
• Professionally manage employee relations, including grievance and disciplinary procedures, in compliance with legal and internal guidelines.
• Champion a culture of professional development and continuous improvement across the education division.

5. Operational Excellence & Governance

• Provide oversight of all daily operational, academic, and administrative functions to ensure a safe, secure, and high-quality learning environment.
• Guarantee compliance with all statutory and policy requirements related to health & safety, child safeguarding, data protection, and educational standards.
• Represent the division in internal committees, board meetings, and external education forums.
• Drive effective and transparent communication channels between management, staff, students, parents, and the wider community.
• Prepare and present comprehensive annual operating and strategic reports to the Board, detailing achievements, risks, developments, and opportunities.

6. External Engagement & Advocacy

• Act as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the education portfolio both internally and externally.
• Strengthen the organization's community presence and reputation through active engagement, networking, and institutional partnerships.
• Promote the organization's educational values, initiatives, and programs within local and international education markets.

Qualifications & Experience

• A Master’s degree in Education Leadership, Business Administration (MBA highly preferred), or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in education management, with a strong preference for candidates with international school operations background.
• A demonstrable track record of success in business expansion, new school establishment, and full P&L leadership within the education sector.
• Direct experience in setting up new preschools or international schools is a significant advantage.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with full professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Outstanding analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to conduct deep dives into academic, operational, and financial performance metrics.
• Proven excellence in stakeholder engagement and the ability to influence and build consensus at the board, regulatory, community, and institutional levels.