Associate Director – Crisis Management, Business Continuity, Health, Safety & Governance

Job Description

Aldar Education is currently seeking an outstanding Associate Director – Crisis Management, Business Continuity, Health, Safety & Governance. 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.

As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education. We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.

Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 28 schools and a growing network of almost 5000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy.

Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.

The Associate Director – Crisis Management, Business Continuity, Health, Safety & Governance is responsible for ensuring Aldar Education operates safely, maintains continuity, and responds effectively to crises through a unified enterprise-wide framework.The role leads the design, implementation, and governance of crisis management, business continuity, health & safety, and operational risk frameworks, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and safeguarding students, staff, and assets while enabling uninterrupted operations across all schools and corporate functions.

Responsibilities

Main Duties:

Crisis Management & Business Continuity:

• Own and continuously evolve the enterprise crisis management framework (activation, escalation, stand-down).
• Lead crisis response efforts and coordinate cross-functional teams during incidents.
• Develop and maintain the Business Continuity framework, including 24/48/72-hour response readiness.
• Ensure rapid recovery and minimal disruption to operations across schools and HQ.
  
  
  

Health, Safety & Operational Risk:

• Oversee health, safety, and occupational health frameworks across all Aldar Education entities.
• Establish and govern operational risk management frameworks, including risk identification, mitigation, and monitoring.
• Ensure consistent implementation of safety standards, procedures, and controls.
  
  
  

Governance, Compliance & Regulatory Alignment:

• Establish and maintain governance frameworks across crisis, safety, and risk domains.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory authorities (e.g., ADEK, KHDA, Civil Defence).
• Lead audit readiness activities, governance reviews, and compliance reporting.
  
  
  

Capability Building & Readiness:

• Lead crisis simulations, scenario planning, and readiness exercises across the organization.
• Design and deliver training programs to build crisis and safety capability across leadership and school teams.
• Drive a culture of safety, preparedness, and risk awareness across the organization.
  
  
  

Specific Duties:

• Develop enterprise-wide policies, procedures, and frameworks for crisis management, business continuity, and HSE.
• Maintain decision logs, escalation protocols, and audit trails to ensure governance integrity.
• Lead incident investigations and ensure timely closure of findings and actions.
• Monitor and report key risk indicators, incidents, and compliance metrics to Executive Management.
• Partner with Operations, Education, HR, and IT teams to embed risk, safety, and continuity practices into day-to-day operations.
• Provide expert advice to Executive Leadership on crisis response, risk exposure, and resilience strategies.
• Ensure alignment of all frameworks with Aldar Group standards and international best practice.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Engineering, Health & Safety, Business, or related discipline
• Professional certification preferred (e.g., NEBOSH Diploma, IOSH, ISO, Risk/BCM certifications)
  
  
  

Minimum Experience:

• 10–15+ years of experience in crisis management, business continuity, risk, or health & safety
• Proven experience in developing enterprise governance and compliance frameworks
• Experience operating in complex, multi-site environments (education or similar sectors preferred)
  
  
  

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks in the UAE
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure and lead during crisis situations
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills
• Experience in risk governance, audit, and compliance reporting
• High level of analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving capability
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
  
  
  

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.