Job Description

Aldar Education is seeking an outstanding Manager - Operations & Support Services to support our schools. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled professional to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies- in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.

At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and industry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

If you are passionate about excellence and ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey.

The Senior Manager - Operations 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 & ESE policies, procedures, HSE, audit and regulatory directives.

The incumbent will continuously strive to exceed internal & external customer expectations, capitalizing the 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:

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. To be responsible for the organisation's 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. To drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout their cluster teams and act as a champion for health and safety. Oversee the efficiency of support functions (Procurement, IT etc.) in coordination with HQ functional reporting lines. Regular liaison with project stakeholders to ensure operational excellence and efficiencies across schools and at cluster level.


Specific Duties:

General Operations:

To support the Principals and OM in implementing the agreed business strategy for both the School and Cluster. 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. 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. 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. Support the OM and all project stakeholders in the effective delivery of key projects such as new builds and major expansions, sharing knowledge and good practice during project execution.


Leadership & Management

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. 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. 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. Facilitate coordination between multiple stakeholders (schools, cluster, ESE and HQ functions).


Finance, Commercial & Procurement

To support the Principal and OM in developing & monitoring all relevant budgets and expenditure, particularly operational costs, ensuring the department receives best value and service at all times. 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). Support the OM 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 OM & Procurement in the technical evaluation of the tender documents submitted. Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are always followed.


Relationship & Stakeholder Management

Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the Aldar Education Core Values. 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. Ensure all internal and external audits are effectively managed and that actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner. 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

To lead and support a culture of ‘no hurt, no harm’ through pro-active and pragmatic risk-based decision making. To promote and demonstrate a supportive and business focussed approach to the management of risk, with a solutionbased mentality. 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. Professionally offering challenge and fact led opinion on decision making in relation to risk mitigation, for the benefit of the wider Aldar Group. To drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout their team. 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. To ensure adherence to all relevant Service Guidelines and Policies, developing and challenging where necessary. To drive and support the use of the AVA system to ensure compliance in regard to incident management. 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

Ensure compliance of specialist area to industry standards, specifications, and regulations. Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the Aldar Education Core Values, and apply these standards to the specialist function


Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject; or Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s). Certificate of School Business Management / Facilities Management / NEBOSH or IOSH preferable.


Minimum Experience

At least 5 years’ experience in a senior level position within an education or service-oriented industry.


Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

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. Commercial acumen. Initiate effort and energy beyond the typical workday, where the tasks require additional commitment.


What We Offer

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate over 25,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including medical cover, flights, housing, and free child school places. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff and so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training.

Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

Aldar Education is keen to hear from like-minded, forward thinking school leaders who would welcome the challenge and opportunities that we have to offer.

This job description is not all inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

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.