Operations Lead

Job description / Role

About the Role
To provide operational and strategic support to a group of identified schools and/or entities, working closely with leadership to deliver operational excellence through effective relationships with key stakeholders.

The post holder will be responsible for managing all operational activities within the assigned business unit(s) and will strive to exceed internal & external customer expectations, capitalizing the economic profit and return on capital investment while embracing the GEMS Core Values.

The post holder will drive a change management strategy with a positive and collaborative culture embedded.

In Addition, delivering all operational aspects as per transitional plans for new school projects and acquisitions.

Main Responsibilities

New School Projects Integration
- Responsible for the implementation of the school operational plan in collaboration with SSC Departments / specialists.
- Manage operations procedures and policy integration
- Responsible for procurement of all required goods and services in alignment with Group Procurement procedures.
- Responsible for managing the budget related to operations, capex, summer works and HSE.
- Engaging with relevant regulatory bodies within the region to ensure full compliance with laws and regulations.
- Ongoing collaboration and reporting to the SSC teams to ensure effective integration of all operational matters in the school.

Health, Safety & Environment
- Accountable for health and safety across all sites role modeling behaviours and acting as a health and safety expert.
- Collaborate with the GEMS Health and Safety team on HSE strategy and management.
- Complete knowledge of local Government health and safety regulations particularly issues specific to the school and how they relate to students, staff, visitors, contractors, and other users of school premises and facilities.
- Ensure effective health and safety risk management within all sites as well as closely monitor compliance of third-party service contractors.
- Be aware of the importance of a disaster recovery plan and its place within the management procedures of the school.
- Implementing risk assessment and loss-prevention strategies.
- Manage all aspects of business management in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner across all sites.
- Formulate, monitor, and implement a regional safety policy to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety guidelines, and other local legislation in collaboration with the SSC HSE team.
- Oversee the strategy, leadership, and management of site security.
- Ensure all sites, buildings, and grounds meet health and safety requirements in line with current legislation at all times and report any trends or weaknesses to the site leadership/GEMS SSC HSE team.
- Ensure all records are kept in line with the legislation of the servicing of fire fighting equipment, legionella, emergency lighting and servicing of fixed safety systems and identifying faulty items
- Ensure fire warning systems are maintained in line with current legislation and that regular fire evacuation procedures are undertaken with all users of all sites.
- Ensure relevant training is provided to all staff and training records kept
- Implement and develop first aid provision across the academy ensuring cover is available at all operational times and that users receive a fast, quality treatment.
- To promote and monitor a safe working environment and provide regular reports to leadership identifying weaknesses or improvements to provision.

Operations Management
- Use financial management information, especially benchmarking tools, to identify areas of relative spending, access trends and directly advise leadership accordingly.
- Manage all procedures and resolve any problems, including:
- In collaboration with leadership and finance, direct annual budgeting and planning process for the organization's annual budget.
- Monitor, track, and manage individual department budget spend.
- Prepare monthly variance analysis of administrative expenses, actuals vs budget, and forecast
- Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are followed at all times.
- Follow and collaborate with Accounting Department requests in preparation for the annual audit.

Facilities Management
- Manage facilities maintenance of all sites and buildings. Where this services is subcontracted to a Third-Party provider, manage and oversee preventative maintenance schedules and the efficient operation of all facilities on the property.
- Oversee site lighting, heating, ventilation, water provision, energy conservation, waste management, etc.
- Manage the upkeep of playing fields, gardens, all-weather surfaces, tennis courts and land drainage.
- Purchase, repair and maintain all furniture and fittings, both within the building and within staff accommodation units.
- Be responsible for the procurement of overseas hired staff accommodation leases and negotiate lease rates according to local property regulations.
- Manage the use of site facilities in the provision of Third-Party services including:
- Catering & Refreshments
- School Transport and drivers
- School shop (books/uniforms, if applicable)
- Bookings for school facilities
- Provision of facilities for after-school activities
- Directing and planning essential central services such as security, maintenance, health & safety, cleaning, waste disposal, and recycling.
- Checking that agreed work by staff or contractors has been completed satisfactorily and following up on any deficiencies to the initial scope of works.
- To be responsible for utilisation of space and resources for buildings, or re-organising current premises.
- To ensure daily monitoring of the BMS and BMS alert systems (where installed) are carried out amongst the site services teams and that all building services operate smoothly implementing a programmed maintenance schedule using competent persons in line with current legislation.
- Ensuring daily checks of the site are carried out by the site services team for vandalism, items requiring building maintenance, security of the site, and ensuring cleaning standards are acceptable.
- Implement a planned programme to ensure the site is litter/gum free as far as reasonably practicable and that all internal and external areas are kept clean and tidy and policy adhered to.
- Ensure that security systems and provision is in place at all times and identify trends or weaknesses within the site systems and develop with GEMS SSC Security where appropriate.
- To ensure the CCTV system complies with the data protection act and relevant current legislation.
- To promote and ensure safe parking procedures on site ensuring these are adhered too.
- To promote community use of the facilities as a desirable venue for conferences, meeting and community activities offering a clean, safe and inspiring venue at all times.

Requirements

Expected Qualifications:
- Bachelors Degree, or equivalent (advanced) Diploma
- Certificate of School Business Management / Facilities Management
- NEBOSH or IOSH qualified

Expected Experience:
- At least 5 years' experience in a similar position within a service-oriented industry
- Experience in the Education industry would be preferred.

Job-Specific Knowledge & Skills:
- Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
- Arabic communication skills will be preferred.
- 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)

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.