Senior Manager - Operations

Bachelor of Business Administration (Management)

Nationality: Any Nationality

Vacancy: 1 Vacancy

Job Description

The role involves consistently striving to exceed stakeholder expectations, maximizing economic value and capital investment returns, while embodying Aldar Education's core values.

Qualifications

• Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject or related industry qualification of graduate level for the assigned functional area(s);
• NEBOSH certificate
• School Business Management / Facilities Management (preferable)
• At least 5 years experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.
• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Forethought and forward planning (particularly as this relates to local Government compliance matters).
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong and consistent supervisory skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the principal, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and cluster leads to ensure a unified approach aligned with strategic objectives, while optimizing cost efficiency, return on investment, and quality standards through effective management of both operational and capital budgets.
• Oversee the organization and delivery of school-based operations and outsourced services, fostering a 'service culture' and ensuring the efficient and effective deployment of staff.
• Lead recruitment efforts to attract top-tier candidates for the operations and outsourced service teams, while also assisting principals and functional leads at HQ in hiring school-based staff.
• Manage capital deployment for key school-level expansion and development projects in line with growth objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance to principals and SLT on audit and regulatory compliance, ensuring ongoing adherence to external and internal audit requirements throughout the year.
• Drive key performance indicators (such as NPS) and other strategic goals at the school level by leading initiatives tied to the school improvement plan related to operations and outsourced services.
• Support other functional areas as needed by providing operational insights for broader strategic initiatives.
• Promote a positive, proactive culture focused on safety, health, sustainability, and risk management, and act as the school's advocate for these priorities.

Operational Management

• Manage the performance of operations and outsourced service teams to maintain high quality and service standards, fostering a collaborative, efficient, and effective service culture.
• Lead the recruitment, professional development, performance appraisals, and training of operations staff.
• Ensure the implementation of policies, service guidelines, systems, and processes to maintain business continuity and meet service deliverables.
• Proactively identify best practices to streamline operations, improve processes, and ensure efficiency.
• Be available outside of regular school hours, attending the site as needed to support operations teams in accordance with the Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols.

Finance & Procurement

• Assist the principal and cluster operational leads in developing and monitoring operational budgets and expenditures, ensuring that the department consistently receives optimal value and service.
• Lead the review and preparation of all necessary information for initiating tenders, establishing weighted evaluation criteria, and conducting technical evaluations when required by the school.
• Ensure strict adherence to Delegation of Authority processes and procedures.
• Execute major school projects, such as new builds and expansions, by supporting project stakeholders, sharing knowledge, and promoting best practices during the pre-operations phase and project execution.

Operational Compliance

• Foster a culture that embraces the ethos and high standards defined in Aldar Education's core values.
• Ensure full compliance with local government regulations to avoid penalties from non-renewed contracts and licenses at the school level.
• Effectively manage all internal and external audits, ensuring that action points are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Stay informed about the effects and implications of government policies, legislation, and directives, developing strategies that align with current initiatives and long-term educational trends.

Service Provision Management

• Manage the implementation and delivery of centrally appointed third-party contracts, including facility rentals, facilities management, student transport, school uniforms, and catering.
• Monitor service providers' performance to ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions.
• Ensure service delivery consistently exceeds school and customer expectations.
• Manage the allocation of housing contracts, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria and adherence to budget constraints for best value.
• Ensure compliance with property management and government regulations, including ensuring staff clearances and rental processes are properly completed.
• Oversee the validity and activation of insurance policies, ensuring comprehensive coverage for assets, employees, and students, and supporting claim submissions when applicable.