Regional Operations Manager - SPARK Schools Support - Rosebank Gauteng at SPARK Schools

Purpose of Role:

The Regional Operations Manager drives scholar achievement in the SPARK Schools network by ensuring SPARK Schools are serviced, maintained and operate efficiently and consistently. The Regional Operations Manager’s leadership in the SPARK Schools network is integral to the SPARK Schools mission to create systemic change in South African education.

This is a position for a person who understands what it means to own their portfolio, who has a mature, realistic, understanding of their capabilities, and who has the confidence in their ability to deliver against demanding expectations.

The Regional Operations Manager serves as the central point of contact for the management and administration of service delivery to schools. This role works closely with the School Achievement Managers, Human Capital, Operations Teams and school leaders.

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Requirements

Responsibilities:

Team and Training:

Compliance:

Professionalism:

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

Competencies:

• Management of external service providers and contractors.

• Designing and rolling out operational processes and procedures that meet and exceed local standards, in terms of facilities, health and safety and school compliance.

• Exercising sound business judgement to identify, investigate and analyse school operations.

• Respond to emergency situations or other urgent issues involving the facilities.

• Prepare timely, accurate & professional (internal and external) reports.

• Liaise with school leadership teams should any work requiring closures or adjustment to school timetables and employee work schedules need to take place.

• When required, put in place contingency plans for any work requiring a change in schedule / routine.

• Create and maintain an asset register in conjunction with the finance department and an educational resources register with the Learning Model team to ensure fixed asset counts are correct and up to date.

• Maintain excellent relations with all stakeholders including funders/financiers, contractors and regulators.

• Implement initiatives to better enhance school tours/parent engagement with schools to assist in scholar enrolment and aftercare utilisation.

• Maintain effective and efficient cost management to ensure affordability, accessibility, and sustainability of each school.

• Ensure that schools meet or outperform financial and operational targets, in terms of property, facilities, staffing, and collections.

  • Enable School Achievement Managers and Principals to manage and support School Operations Managers (SOMs) to drive excellent operational outcomes and develop effective operational staff teams in schools.

  • Model effective coaching and management practices for ongoing network-wide leadership development of School Operations Managers.

  • Support SOMs to develop and implement professional development programs for operational staff.

  • Builds a regular rhythm of school visits and observations, in order to evaluate consistency and quality cross SPARK Schools network, as well as identify the highest leverage network-wide and school-specific action steps for implementation.

  • Ensure building and workspaces comply with Occupational Health & Safety Act.

  • Ensure that workspaces accommodate employee needs according to SANS standards.

  • Enforces compliance with ethical standards guided by the company values and mission.

  • Participates actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.

  • Conducts self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

  • Updates job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.

  • Relevant tertiary qualification

  • Clear criminal record

  • At least 3 - 5 years of experience leading people or teams in the education sector

  • Experience and practice with labour laws

  • Industrial Relations experience preferable

  • Subject matter knowledge and application (policies, labour legislation, school compliance and registrations)

  • Project management experience and related management strategies are highly advantageous.

  • Knowledge of compliance (SANS) as well as Occupational Health & Safety legislation

  • The ability to work on strict deadlines and targets.

  • Organisational skills and ability to manage multiple critical deadlines with resourceful confidence and detail orientation.

  • Good negotiation skills.

  • The ability to explain financial matters firmly and clearly.

  • Basic accounting knowledge - figure orientated.

  • Excellent work standard and ethics.

  • Ability to participate as a team member and achieve agreed objectives.

  • Self-motivated with a strong drive to deliver.

  • Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, grace and style.

  • Must be results-oriented and able to work both independently and within a team environment.

Qualities:

• Grit: Persistence through challenges.

• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.

• Mission and Vision Alignment: Understanding of and passion for the SPARK Schools mission to provide excellent education at an affordable cost.

• Self­ Reflection: Finding the capacity to bring your best self to challenges and opportunities.