Senior Manager - Operations - Aldar Education

Job Description Aldar Education is seeking an outstanding Senior Manager - Operations 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

The posting does not include a distinct, clearly delimited Requirements or Qualifications section beyond responsibilities. No explicit minimum years of experience or educational requirements are stated in a separate section.