Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Position Overview: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for overseeing the daily non-academic operations of the school, ensuring that all support services align with the institution's mission and goals. The COO will manage various departments including Facilities, Transportation, Food Services, HR, Marketing, IT, Business Development, and Boarding House, collaborating with the CEO, Head of School, CFO and academic leadership to ensure seamless operational support for the school’s educational objectives. This role requires strategic planning, risk management, compliance with regulatory requirements, and a focus on stakeholder relationships to drive operational excellence.Key

Responsibilities:

1. Operational Management

1.1 Facilities Management:

• Oversee the maintenance, safety, and improvement of school buildings and grounds.
• Ensure emergency preparedness and quick response for incidents, with first-response training for staff.
• Manage vendor contracts and relationships to ensure timely service and compliance.

1.2 Transportation:

• Ensure efficient and safe transportation services for students and staff, maintaining schedules and safety compliance.

1.3 Food Services:

• Oversee food service operations, ensuring nutritional standards and compliance with health regulations.

1.4 Cleaning:

• Implement regular cleaning protocols for all areas of the school and ensure waste disposal and recycling processes are followed.

1.5 Supply Chain Management:

• Oversee procurement and inventory management, ensuring that school supplies, equipment, and resources are readily available.

1.6 Health and Wellness:

• Oversee the school nurse and health services, promoting the well-being of students and staff.
• Be fully cognizant of child protection and safeguarding requirements and regulations and ensure that operational and recruitment practices reflect these

1.7 Boarding and Housing Management:

• Develop and oversee the boarding and housing system for students, ensuring the safety, comfort, and well-being of all boarders.
• Manage all operational aspects of the boarding facilities, including housing maintenance, staff, and policies.
• Ensure the boarding system aligns with school values and meets the needs of students and families.
• Ensure the boarding house is run in line with international best practice and adheres to children protection and safeguarding requirements and regulations

2. Human Resources

2.1 Staff Recruitment and Retention:

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and retention of non-academic staff, focusing on talent retention and engagement.

2.2 Professional Development:

• Ensure continuous training and development opportunities to enhance staff skills and performance.

2.3 Policy Implementation:

• Develop and enforce HR policies, ensuring compliance with labour laws and best practices.

3. Strategic Planning

3.1 Long-term Planning:

• Collaborate with the Head of School and the Board of Management to develop and implement long-term operational strategies.

3.2 Performance Metrics:

• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure operational efficiency and effectiveness.

3.3 Risk Management:

• Identify operational risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, protecting school assets and reputation.

4. Compliance and Governance

4.1 Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to local and national regulations, particularly around non-academic processes.

4.2 Accreditation:

• Manage non-academic processes for school accreditation, ensuring continuous improvement to meet required standards.

4.3 Policy Development:

• Regularly review and update policies related to non-academic operations to ensure relevance and compliance.

5. Marketing and Parent Relationships

5.1 Communication:

• Foster positive relationships with parents, the community, and stakeholders to enhance the school’s mission and goals.

5.2 Event Management:

• Oversee school events, ensuring alignment with the school’s values and mission.

5.3 Marketing Strategy:

• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote the school’s reputation and attract new students.

5.4 Admissions:

• Manage the admissions process, ensuring efficient recruitment, selection, and enrollment.

5.5 Community Relations:

• Foster a strong connection with parents, students, staff, and the wider community to create a supportive environment.

6. Information Technology

6.1 Technology Implementation:

• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of technology infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network systems.

6.2 Automation:

• Implement automation strategies to streamline operations, ensuring synchronised master data management.

6.3 Cybersecurity:

• Ensure robust cybersecurity measures to protect data and IT infrastructure.

7. Support to Academic Leadership

7.1 Collaboration:

• Work closely with academic leaders to ensure that operational efforts support educational objectives.

7.2 Resource Allocation:

• Ensure that resources are appropriately allocated to support academic programmes.
• Oversee an effective system for procurement and timely delivery of academic resources

7.3 Operational Support:

• Provide logistical support for academic programmes, including classroom setups, equipment, and supplies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of operational management experience in an international boarding school.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with budget management, policy development, and compliance.

Reporting to: CEO

Supervision of: Operations, Facilities, HR, IT, Marketing, Business Development