Requirements
The School Operations Manager will oversee the school's facilities, administration, and support services, ensuring operational excellence and alignment with strategic goals. This role requires proven experience in operations, facilities, or business management, financial acumen for budget and contract management, and strong leadership, organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills. A commitment to health, safety, safeguarding, and sustainability standards is essential.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
Dubai, UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Administration & Secretarial
Company Industry
Education & Training
Job description
The School Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the development, maintenance, safety, and smooth day-to-day running of the school’s facilities, administration, and support services. This role ensures that the school site, buildings, and resources are secure, efficient, and aligned with the highest standards of operational excellence, while also contributing strategically to the school’s growth and success.
The post holder will work closely with the Principal/CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Corporate Office to provide expert advice on business, financial, and operational matters. They will ensure that resources are effectively managed, budgets are optimized, and services delivered to the highest quality, supporting both the academic mission of the school and its wider community engagement.
Leadership & strategy
Provide strategic guidance to the Principal/CEO and Senior Leadership on operational, financial, and business matters.
Contribute to the development and delivery of the school’s improvement plan and long-term sustainability goals.
Lead initiatives for environmental sustainability and operational efficiency across the school site.
Ensure robust performance management systems are in place for all support teams.
Administration & support services
Organize and manage all administration and support services, ensuring effective deployment of staff and resources.
Support recruitment, training, and continuous professional development of administration and support staff.
Ensure a culture of service excellence, accountability, and professionalism across all teams.
Finance & business operations
Manage budgets, monitor expenditure, and ensure value for money across all operational areas.
Prepare monthly financial reports, variance analysis, and forecasts in collaboration with the Accounts team.
Ensure compliance with Delegation of Authority and audit requirements.
Oversee third-party service providers, ensuring KPIs, contracts, and service standards are consistently met.
Facilities & health & safety
Oversee the maintenance, security, and efficient operation of the school site, buildings, and grounds.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, and safeguarding regulations, in line with corporate policies and local legislation.
Manage preventative and reactive maintenance schedules, either in-house or via external contractors.
Supervise facilities services including cleaning, waste management, energy usage, catering, transportation, and accommodation.
Promote safe parking, secure site access, and effective use of CCTV and security systems.
Community & commercial engagement
Promote school facilities as a venue for events, conferences, and community activities.
Ensure smooth operation of ancillary services such as catering, school shop, and after-school activities.
Strengthen relationships with parents, staff, and the wider community by ensuring high-quality services and a welcoming school environment.
Skills description
Strong leadership, organizational, and people management skills.
Proven experience in operations, facilities, or business management, preferably in an educational setting.
Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and contracts.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to handle pressure, prioritize tasks, and resolve issues proactively.
Commitment to health, safety, safeguarding, and sustainability standards.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.
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