Head - Operations & Support Services

Location

UAE | United Kingdom

Job description

Aldar Education is currently seeking Head - Operations & Support Services (Immediate Start) to support our growing family of owned and operated schools.

As a senior lead, the incumbent will be responsible for leading, implementing and supporting initiatives within their Premium + school, as required by HQ Operations, to ensure an effective approach for a consistent, systematic, safe school operation. In addition, the role will ensure the school is compliant with related internal & external directives and regulations. 

As the Operations lead, directly supporting the principal, the role will be fully responsible to oversee the effectiveness of all operations, administration & support service-related activities and ensure compliance with Aldar Education policy, procedures, risk, safety, sustainability, audit, and regulatory directives. 

Responsibilities :

Main Duties:

• To drive all aspects of operational efficiencies at school level through strong leadership and integrity, clear communication, defined strategy, creative thinking, and robust processes. 
• To be the senior operational lead and a part of the school’s senior leadership team and ensure a consistent and streamlined approach in line with identified strategic directives, whilst maximising cost efficiencies, return on investment and quality standards. 
• To lead on capital deployment in relation to growth and expansion of key projects within their school.
• To implement processes and provide strategic guidance to the principals and senior leadership teams on audit and regulatory compliance matters, ensuring that schools maintain compliance throughout the year in all authority and internal audit visits. 

Specific Duties:

General Operations

• To support the principal and school-based function leads in implementing the agreed business strategy for the school.
• Lead in the effective delivery of key projects such as major expansions and facility improvements, supporting project stakeholders, sharing knowledge and implementing good practice during pre-ops and project execution.
• Be contactable outside of normal school hours, available to attend site to support the operations teams when required in line with the Aldar Education Critical Incident Response Protocols.

Leadership & Management

• Oversee the performance of the operations, administration, and support service staff to ensure high standards of service are maintained throughout the school and 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. 
• Oversee the recruitment, professional development, appraisal, and training programs of all operations, administration, and 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

• To support the principal and direct reports in developing & monitoring all relevant budgets and expenditure, particularly operational costs, ensuring the department receives best value and service at all times. 

Relationship & Stakeholder Management 

• Embrace and encourage the ethos and standards of excellence as defined in the Aldar Education core values.
• Ensure full compliance with local government authority regulations to safeguard against fines of any nature as a result of non-renewal of contracts at school level.
• 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 drive a positive and proactive safe, healthy and environmental culture and act as a champion for safety, health and sustainability. 
• To support the school 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..

Enrolments and Customer Satisfaction

• To oversee school enrolments and ensure impactful strategies are developed and implemented to support the drive for both new students and retention. 
• To oversee the admissions process and ensure compliance, and in the absence of, identify a gap analysis and relevant action plan to address the shortfall. 

REQUIREMENTS :

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject; or
• Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s); or
• 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.

This is not all inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this 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.

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