General Manager - School Operations & Development

SUMMER ACADEMY Sdn Bhd; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An international secondary school in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a General Manager – School Operations and Development. The ideal candidate will have 5–7 years of leadership experience in education, a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, and a strong understanding of international education systems. This role involves leading non-academic operations, ensuring compliance, and driving enrolment growth in a community-focused environment.

Benefits

Leadership role in shaping a new school

Opportunity to collaborate internationally

Mentorship and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of leadership/management experience in an international or private school environment.
• Experience in setting up new schools in Malaysia’s international education sector.
• Understanding of IB, inquiry-based, or creative learning frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead non-academic operations including finance, HR, admissions, marketing, and facilities.
• Develop efficient administrative and operational systems.
• Drive student enrolment growth through community engagement.

Skills

Leadership experience

People management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Cross-cultural leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or Business Administration

Job description

General Manager - School Operations & Development

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Summer International Secondary School (SISS) is a new international secondary school in Kuala Lumpur inspired by Dutch educational values of creativity, independence, and holistic learning. The co-founder is a Dutch who has been leading the Summer Academy group of schools in Malaysia and has brought the Dutch educational philosophy here.

Our approach blends academic excellence with experiential, arts-based, and creative development, encouraging students to think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and express themselves authentically.

We are building a team of passionate and globally minded educators who share a commitment to innovative, student-centered education that connects Malaysia with international learning communities.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking General Manager – School Operations and Development to lead and oversee the operational excellence, strategic growth, and community engagement of the school.

This position plays a key leadership role in establishing international-standard operational systems, managing compliance processes, and ensuring the school’s smooth transition into full operation.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of international education systems, particularly in the context of new school development, and will be capable of building a creative, high-performing team aligned with global best practices.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and support all non-academic operations of the school, including finance, HR, admissions, marketing, and facilities.

Develop and implement efficient administrative and operational systems aligned with international school standards.

Drive student enrolment growth through strategic community engagement and partnerships.

Collaborate closely with academic leadership to ensure operations are integrated with creative, inquiry-based learning frameworks.

Oversee compliance with Malaysian and international education regulations, including licensing, safety, and reporting.

Build connections with educational and operational networks in both Western countries and Malaysia, strengthening our international partnerships and standards.

Provide mentorship and professional development for administrative and support staff.

Represent the school in external partnerships, government engagement, and global education networks.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Education, Business Administration, or a related field.

At least 5–7 years of leadership /management experience in an international or private school environment, with a strong record of leading school establishment or development projects.

Proven experience in setting up and managing new schools, particularly within Malaysia’s international education sector.

Cross-cultural leadership background, with direct exposure to Western educational or organizational environments (e.g., North America or Western Europe).

Demonstrated understanding of IB, inquiry-based, or creative learning frameworks.

Exceptional organizational, communication, and people management skills.

A proactive, solutions-oriented leader who thrives in a start-up school environment and can balance creative vision with operational discipline.

Why Join Us

This is a unique opportunity to play a founding leadership role in shaping the vision, culture, and operational systems of a creative, Dutch-inspired international school in Malaysia.

The position offers the chance to work closely with an international team to build a world-class, student-centered environment and establish meaningful partnerships with schools and organizations both in Malaysia and abroad.

Application Questions

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia?
• Which of the following types of qualifications do you have?
• How many years' experience do you have as an Operations General Manager?
• How many years of people management experience do you have?
• Which of the following languages are you fluent in?