Head of School Operations & Facilities

Advius; Middelburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

Independent School Middelburg in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, seeks a hands-on Head of Operations to oversee day-to-day operational, facilities, and support-services functions of the school. This role is critical to ensuring a safe, efficient, well-maintained, and smoothly run environment for learners, staff and visitors.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Head and senior management team to ensure operational excellence across facilities, maintenance, health and safety,

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Operations Management, Facilities Management, or Business Administration.
• Health and Safety certification (e.g., SAMTRAC) advantageous.
• Valid Code B driver's licence.
• Minimum 5–8 years' experience in an operations, facilities, or general management role, ideally within an educational, hospitality, or institutional environment.
• Proven experience managing budgets, contracts, and supplier/vendor relationships.
• Strong experience in staff supervision and team leadership.
• Sound knowledge of health and safety, risk management, and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing maintenance, infrastructure, and facilities projects.
• Clear criminal record and clear credit record; willing to undergo background checks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all non-academic operational functions of the school, including facilities, maintenance, grounds, security, and transport.
• Manage and maintain school buildings, infrastructure, and equipment to a high standard.
• Develop and implement health, safety, and risk management policies in line with relevant legislation.
• Manage operational budgets, procurement, contracts, and supplier relationships.
• Lead and manage support staff teams (maintenance, cleaning, security, transport, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety, fire safety, and other regulatory requirements.
• Oversee planning and logistics for school events, functions, and daily operational needs.
• Manage service level agreements with external contractors and vendors.
• Support capital projects, renovations, and infrastructure development initiatives.
• Liaise with the Executive Head and governing body on operational planning and resource allocation.
• Ensure operational systems and processes support a safe and productive teaching and learning environment.

Skills

Operations management

Facilities management

Health & safety

Budget management

Staff supervision

Leadership

Project coordination

Education

Tertiary qualification in Operations/Facilities Management or Business Administration

Job description

Independent School Middelburg in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, seeks a hands-on Head of Operations to oversee day-to-day operational, facilities, and support-services functions of the school. This role is critical to ensuring a safe, efficient, well-maintained, and smoothly run environment for learners, staff and visitors.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Head and senior management team to ensure operational excellence across facilities, maintenance, health and safety,