Managing Director

Thames International School; Philippines; On-site; PHP 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Thames International School in the Philippines seeks a Managing Director to provide strategic leadership and oversee operations, academic support, financial performance, and growth. The role ensures alignment with mission, vision, and regulatory standards while maintaining service excellence.

You will lead cross-functional teams, drive governance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, and champion innovation, enrollment growth, and sustainable revenue generation across the institution.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; Doctoral degree preferred
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience
• Experience in education sector preferred
• Ability to oversee multi-department operations and governance
• Strong strategic planning and financial management skills

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans, goals and long-term initiatives
• Provide leadership to department heads and senior management
• Oversee day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency and service quality
• Collaborate with Finance for annual budgets and financial planning
• Identify growth opportunities and strengthen partnerships
• Ensure compliance with laws, standards, and regulations
• Drive enrollment growth and stakeholder engagement
• Lead governance, risk management and talent development initiatives

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Executive Leadership

Financial Acumen

Communication Skills

Change Management

Governance & Compliance

Stakeholder Management

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration, Educational Management, Public Administration, Management, or related field

Doctoral degree is an advantage

Job description

The Managing Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overall direction for the institution's operations, academic support functions, financial performance, business development, and organizational growth. The role ensures that the institution achieves its mission, vision, and strategic objectives while maintaining operational excellence, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and high standards of service delivery.

The Managing Director oversees the execution of organizational strategies, leads cross-functional departments, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and fosters a culture of accountability, innovation, and excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the institution's strategic plans, goals, and long-term initiatives.

• Translate the Board's and President's vision into actionable operational strategies.

• Monitor organizational performance and recommend strategic improvements.

• Identify opportunities for institutional growth, innovation, and expansion.

Executive Management

• Provide leadership and direction to department heads and senior management.

• Ensure alignment of departmental objectives with organizational goals.

• Foster collaboration across academic and administrative departments.

• Promote a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Operations Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the institution to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

• Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements.

• Ensure the delivery of high-quality services to students, parents, faculty, and other stakeholders.

• Address operational risks and organizational challenges proactively.

Financial Management

• Collaborate with the Finance Department in preparing annual budgets and financial plans.

• Monitor financial performance and ensure responsible utilization of resources.

• Review financial reports and recommend cost-effective strategies.

• Support initiatives that improve revenue generation and long-term sustainability.

Business Development

• Identify new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, and revenue-generating initiatives.

• Build and maintain relationships with industry partners, government agencies, and external stakeholders.

• Represent the institution in meetings, conferences, and networking events.

• Support marketing, branding, and enrollment growth initiatives.

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, government regulations, accreditation standards, and institutional policies.

• Support governance initiatives and organizational risk management.

• Ensure timely compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.

Human Capital Leadership

• Provide leadership in talent development and succession planning.

• Support performance management, employee engagement, and leadership development initiatives.

• Promote a positive organizational culture aligned with institutional values.

Performance Management

• Establish organizational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and monitor results.

• Review departmental performance reports and implement corrective actions where necessary.

• Ensure organizational objectives are achieved within established timelines.

Stakeholder Relations

• Build strong relationships with students, parents, employees, alumni, partners, and regulatory agencies.

• Address high-level concerns and represent the institution professionally.

• Strengthen the institution's reputation through effective leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Educational Management, Public Administration, Management, or a related field.

• A doctoral degree is an advantage.

Experience

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior executive or director-level role.

• Experience managing multi-department operations.

• Experience in the education sector is highly preferred.

Knowledge

• Strategic planning and organizational development.

• Financial management and budgeting.

• Corporate governance and risk management.

• Philippine labor laws and education regulations.

• Business development and stakeholder management.

• Performance management systems.

Skills

• Strategic and analytical thinking.

• Executive leadership and decision-making.

• Financial and business acumen.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

• Change management and organizational development.

• Conflict resolution and problem-solving.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership

• Vision and Innovation

• Business Acumen

• Financial Stewardship

• Results Orientation

• People Leadership

• Decision-Making

• Governance and Compliance

• Stakeholder Management

• Change Management

• Integrity and Accountability

Key Performance Areas (KPAs)

1. Achievement of organizational strategic goals.

2. Operational efficiency and service excellence.

3. Financial performance and budget management.

4. Enrollment growth and business development initiatives.

5. Regulatory and accreditation compliance.

6. Employee engagement and leadership effectiveness.

7. Stakeholder satisfaction.

8. Successful implementation of institutional projects and strategic initiatives.

9. Organizational risk management and governance.

10. Continuous improvement and innovation across all departments.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with regular meetings across departments and external stakeholders.

• May require travel to partner institutions, government agencies, conferences, and business engagements.

• May require extended working hours to meet organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.