Senior Manager - Operations - Charter Schools

Job Description

As a specialist lead across the HQ operations team, the Senior Manager will be responsible for advising, implementing and supporting initiatives within their specialist area, and ensure compliance with related internal & external directives and regulations.

As a cluster lead, directly supporting a group of Principals and Operations Managers (OM), the Senior Manager will be fully responsible to effectively oversee all Operations, Administration & Support Service-related activities within their cluster and ensure compliance with Aldar Education Policy, procedures, HSE, Audit and Regulatory directives.

The incumbent will continuously strive to exceed internal & external customer expectations, capitalizing on economic profit and return on capital investment, while embracing the Aldar Education Core Values. To embody the values, vision and ethos of Aldar Education and assist the department in implementing process and policy which will ensure high quality and successful outcomes.

Responsibilities

Main Duties

1. To be the main liaison between ADEK and Aldar Education for Operations in the form of the single point of contact, on behalf of all schools within the cluster. To be responsible for distributing and submitting communication from/to ADEK in order to support their requirements and/or initiatives.
2. To be the department lead in their specialist function and ensure a consistent and streamlined approach in line with identified strategic directives, whilst maximising cost efficiencies, return on investment and quality standards.
3. To be responsible for the organisation and delivery of operations, administration and support service teams across the cluster(s). Implementing a service culture and ensuring efficient, effective staff deployment and, with the HQ team, recruitment of high calibre candidates to join the Aldar Education Operations and Support Service teams.
4. To support and advise key functions within the cluster and Aldar Education HQ on operational, financial, HSE and Audit & Regulatory Compliance matters and be accountable for their effectiveness using robust performance management systems.
5. To implement processes and provide strategic guidance to the Principal, Senior Leadership and Aldar Education HQ on Audit and Regulatory Compliance matters, ensuring that schools maintain compliance throughout the year in all authority and internal audit visits.
6. To ensure that all Operations and Support Service staff are supported with high quality continuous professional development and training which contributes to the development and achievements of each school.
7. To oversee the key strategic objectives for the cluster through formulating and leading on specific aspects of the school business and/or improvement plan as they relate to operations and support services.
8. To drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout their cluster teams and act as a champion for health and safety.

General Operations

1. To support the Principals and school-based operational leads in implementing the agreed business strategy for both the School and Cluster.
2. Development and implementation of policies, systems, processes and student safeguarding measures relevant to their cluster and in conjunction with Aldar Education HQ to ensure business continuity and service deliverables.
3. Initiate and identify good practices within their cluster and ensure these are shared throughout the group in order to streamline operations, processes and policies and secure efficiencies.
4. Be contactable outside of normal School hours, available to attend site to support the Operations Team when required in line with the Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols.

Leadership & Management

1. Oversee the performance of the Operations & Support Service staff to ensure high standards of service are maintained throughout the School(s) and that cluster teams provide a collegial efficient and effective service culture.
2. Continuously review school support services operating models and staffing levels to ensure the school is suitably resourced to deliver key objectives whilst ensuring school financial and operational performance is maintained.
3. Contribute to the recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and training of all Operations & Support Service staff ensuring that members of the team undergo an individual development plan to help the school in building a high-performance team.

Finance, Commercial & Procurement

1. To support the principal and school-based operational leads in developing & monitoring all relevant budgets and expenditure, particularly operational costs, ensuring the department receives best value and service at all times.
2. Continually reviewing opportunities for shared resource, cost and/or services across the cluster they hold responsibility for to ensure that the schools benefit from improved access to service teams and physical resources (i.e., support staff, transport etc).
3. Support the school-based operational leads in reviewing & preparing all relevant information (e.g., scope of work, purchase requisition/specifications) to initiate tenders and develop weighted pre-determined evaluation criteria & assist school-based operational leads & Procurement in the technical evaluation of the tender documents submitted.
4. Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are followed at all times.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

1. Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the Aldar Education core values.
2. Ensure that assigned cluster is fully compliant with local government authority regulations to safeguard against fines of any nature as a result of non-renewal of contracts at school level.
3. Ensure all internal and external audits are effectively managed and that actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
4. Conduct operational investigations as required following an incident for the purpose of improvement to key processes or policies to ensure school operations remain efficient.
5. Understand the effects and implications of government policies, legislation and directives, developing effective strategies for current initiatives and long-term educational trends and developments.

Health, Safety & Environment

1. To lead and support a culture of no hurt, no harm through pro-active and pragmatic risk-based decision making.
2. To promote and demonstrate a supportive and business focused approach to the management of risk, with a solution-based mentality.
3. To act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness and ensure their cluster complies with current health & safety legislation and/or guidelines as issued by Aldar Education HQ, advising the cluster team accordingly.
4. Professionally offering challenge and fact led opinion on decision making in relation to risk mitigation, for the benefit of the wider Aldar group.
5. To drive a positive and proactive safe, healthy and environmental culture throughout their cluster teams and act as a champion for safety, health and sustainability.
6. To support each school within their cluster in establishing specific health, safety and environmental related aims and objectives and ensuring that they are delivered within the required timelines.
7. To ensure adherence to all relevant service guidelines and policies, developing and challenging where necessary.
8. To drive and support the use of centrally deployed safety related systems to ensure compliance in regard to incident and visitor management.
9. Ensure all health, safety and environmental related inspections and audits are completed in line with the Aldar Education safety management system, using a supportive and coaching nature, helping to remove barriers, and promoting improvements in standards through teamwork.

Specialist Function

1. Develop FM/technical specific feasibility studies for submitting technical proposals as required to support business needs & initiatives. Responsible for reviewing & preparing all relevant information (e.g., scope of work, purchase requisition/specifications) to initiate tenders and develop weighted pre-determined evaluation criteria & assist Procurement in the technical evaluation of the tender documents submitted.
2. With OM support, supporting HQ Operations in overseeing the specialist contracts across the group and ensuring the adherence of the SLA's & KPI's, reviewing & issuing non-conformity reports (NCRs) if the service provider/contractor have failed to deliver the expected contract deliverables. Develop, implement & maintain quality assurance process/protocols.
3. Overseeing & acting as the deputy lead assisting the Group Head - General Services during contract mobilisation process ensuring seamless transition and ensure adherence to the developed mobilisation strategy.
4. Monitor/inspect and follow up on schedules, activities, and work progress by contract personnel relevant to the specialist area. Report performance based on the quality and timely completion of the tasks assigned.
5. Ensure compliance of specialist area to industry standards, specifications, and regulations.

Qualifications

1. Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject; or
2. Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s); or
3. Certificate of School Business Management / Facilities Management / NEBOSH or IOSH preferable.
4. At least 5 years experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.
5. Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
6. Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
7. Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.
8. Organizational ability, of self and others.
9. Forethought and forward planning (particularly as this relates to local Government compliance matters).
10. Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
11. Good interpersonal skills.
12. Strong and consistent supervisory skills.
13. Commercial acumen.
14. Initiate effort and energy beyond the typical workday, where the tasks require additional commitment.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.