Assistant Manager – Facilities - The Pearl British Academy - Immediate Start

Job Description

Aldar Education is seeking an Assistant Manager – Facilities for The Pearl British Academy in Abu Dhabi commencing immediately. The Pearl British Academy is a diverse private international English school located in the heart of Abu Dhabi city. Serving students from Nursery – Year 6 we follow the National Curriculum of England. To provide professional leadership and management for the department in order to secure high quality teaching and learning, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all students. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group. The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

Responsibilities

Main Duties:

• To be responsible for the organisation and delivery of operations and outsourced service teams (facilities, housing, office support, and external service providers) across the school. Implementing a 'service culture' and ensuring efficient, effective staff deployment and the recruitment of high-calibre candidates to join the Aldar Education operations and support service teams.
• To be responsible for all aspects of the school’s facilities management and premises ancillary staff to ensure the cleanliness, safety, and security of the school buildings and grounds at all times.
• To implement processes and provide guidance to the Principal, Senior Leadership, and Aldar Education HQ on audit and regulatory compliance matters, ensuring that the school maintains compliance throughout the year in all authority inspections, internal audit visits, and school licenses.
• To ensure that all operations and outsourced service staff are supported with high quality continuous professional development and training which contributes to the development and achievements of the school. To support the Operations lead in achieving the key strategic objectives for the school through formulating and leading on specific aspects of the school business and/or improvement plan as they relate to facility management, facility enhancement, operations and outsourced services.
• To support, where applicable, on cluster related projects, modifications and expansions and to provide a strategic and consistent oversight with regards to technical input.
  
  
  

Specific Duties:

Operational Management

• Implementation of policies, systems, processes and student safeguarding measures in conjunction with the Aldar Education HQ ensuring all new policy and processes are school focused prior to implementation throughout the group.
• To support and advise the Senior Leadership Team and Aldar Education HQ on operational, financial and HSE matters and be accountable for their effectiveness using robust performance management systems.
• Be available 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
  
  
  

Finance, Commercial & Procurement

• To support the Operations lead in developing and monitoring all relevant budgets and expenditure, particularly operational costs and capital expenditure, ensuring the school receives best value and service at all times.
• Manage the school’s other income opportunities, including contract commission and facility rentals, through effective partnerships with external service providers and upkeep of the asset.
• Lead on tender documentation preparation, technical criteria and evaluation, and general support/advice for tenders relating to both school and group-wide facility enhancement and support services.
• Ensure Delegation of Authority processes and procedures are followed at all times.
  
  
  

Operational Compliance

• Foster a culture that embraces the ethos and high standards defined in Aldar Education’s core values.
• Ensure full compliance with local government regulations to avoid penalties from non-renewed contracts and licenses at the school level.
• Effectively manage all internal and external audits, ensuring that action points are addressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Stay informed about the effects and implications of government policies, legislation, and directives, developing strategies that align with current initiatives and long-term educational trends.
  
  
  

Service Provision Management

• Support the implementation and delivery of centrally appointed third-party contracts, including facility rentals, facilities management, student transport, school uniforms, and catering.
• Manage service providers’ performance to ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions.
• Ensure service delivery consistently exceeds school and customer expectations.
• Manage the allocation of housing contracts , ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria and adherence to budget constraints for best value.
• Ensure compliance with property management and government regulations, including ensuring staff clearances and rental processes are properly completed.
• Manage the validity and activation of insurance policies, ensuring comprehensive coverage for assets, employees, and students, and supporting claim submissions when applicable.
  
  
  

Health, Safety & Environment

• To act as the responsible person for HSE effectiveness and ensure the school complies with current Health & Safety legislation and/or guidelines as issued by Aldar Education HQ advising the School Leadership team accordingly.
• To drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout their teams and act as a champion for health and safety.
• To support the Head - Operations in establishing school specific health, safety, sustainability and environmental related aims and objectives and ensuring that they are delivered within the required timelines.
• Ensure all internal and external health, safety and environmental related audits are effectively coordinated, completed in line with Aldar Education standards and that actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• To support the effective delivery of a health and safety committee within the school.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors (BSc) in business related subject; or
• Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s).
• Certificate of School Business Management / Facilities Management / NEBOSH.
  
  
  

Minimum Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience in a mid-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.