Chief Operating Officer

SagePaths Global Education; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing international education group based in Singapore is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead operational excellence across its multiple education businesses spanning Asia. This executive role demands senior leadership experience and a strong track record in managing complex, multi-entity operations within the education sector. The ideal candidate will have exceptional skills in stakeholder management and be fluent in both English and Mandarin to engage effectively with diverse regional stakeholders. Join a team shaping the future of global education.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience (COO, Deputy COO, Director of Operations, or equivalent) within education, international services, or professional services.
• Proven track record in multi-entity, multi-country operations management.
• Strong understanding of education operations, compliance, and quality assurance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leadership to operationalise strategic plans and growth initiatives.
• Oversee core operational functions including admissions, HR, finance, IT, and services.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Decision-making

Cross-cultural fluency

Operational efficiency

Fluency in English and Mandarin

Education

Senior leadership experience in education or related fields

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Location: Singapore (with regional oversight across Asia)

Employment Type: Full-time

Reporting To: Managing Director / Managing Partner

Shape the Future of Global Education

Join a fast-growing international education group

Drive operational excellence across borders

Work with senior leaders shaping transnational education pathways

The Opportunity

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key executive leadership role within SagePaths Global Education, responsible for translating strategic vision into operational excellence across the Group’s education businesses, including international student recruitment, K–12 education services, higher education partnerships, overseas teaching centres, and student accommodation initiatives.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the COO will oversee group‑wide operations, governance, compliance, and execution, ensuring scalability, quality assurance, and financial sustainability across multiple jurisdictions. This role requires a seasoned operator with strong leadership capability, cross‑cultural fluency, and experience in complex, multi‑entity education environments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Execution

• Partner with the Managing Director and senior leadership team to operationalise the Group’s strategic plans and growth initiatives.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear operational frameworks, KPIs, and execution roadmaps.
• Support new market entry, overseas teaching centre development, and partnership implementation.

Group Operations Management

• Provide executive oversight of core operational functions, including admissions operations, student services, HR, finance coordination, compliance, IT systems, and administrative infrastructure.
• Establish standardised operating procedures (SOPs) across all business units and geographies.
• Drive operational efficiency, scalability, and service quality across the Group.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality‑assurance frameworks across jurisdictions (e.g. Singapore, China, and other regional markets).
• Oversee risk management, internal controls, and audit readiness for education and commercial operations.
• Support institutional governance processes, including board reporting and policy development.

People & Culture Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing management team across multiple countries.
• Foster a professional, accountable, and service‑oriented organisational culture.
• Support workforce planning, leadership succession, and performance management.

Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders, including partner institutions, regulators, schools, universities, accommodation partners, and corporate clients.
• Represent the Group in senior‑level meetings, negotiations, and partnership discussions.
• Strengthen SagePaths’ reputation as a trusted international education partner.

Cross‑Border & Cross‑Cultural Operations

• Oversee operations spanning different regulatory, cultural, and market environments.
• Navigate complexities of operating between Singapore headquarters and overseas teams.
• Ensure effective communication, alignment, and governance across borders.

Key Requirements

• Senior leadership experience (COO, Deputy COO, Director of Operations, or equivalent) within education, international education services, or professional services.
• Proven track record in multi‑entity, multi‑country operations management.
• Strong understanding of education operations, compliance, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to scale organisations, build systems, and drive execution.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, and decision‑making skills.
• Fluent in both English and Mandarin (spoken and written) to engage effectively with regional stakeholders.
• Experience working with or within Asian education markets is highly advantageous.