South Africa Head of Expansion - SPARK Schools - Rosebank, Gauteng at SPARK Schools

Purpose of Role:

The South Africa Head of Expansion takes direct responsibility for the SPARK Schools property expansion portfolio while contributing to the development of SPARK’s growth strategy to ensure organisational stability over the long-term. Further playing a critical role in developing and maintaining SPARK's market position and achieving financial growth and stakeholder delight through the efficient and timely opening of new and expanding SPARK Schools. The SA Head of Expansion operates in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) macro-environment that must be navigated to ensure continued alignment with the organisation's strategic goals and growth targets.

Requirements

Portfolio of Business Units:

The role requires experience in managing the following business units and associated team members:

• Property acquisition
• Property development
• New school openings and grade expansions
• School registrations

Responsibilities:

Property acquisition 

• Support the development SPARK’S Property strategy aligned to the approved Business Plan and property blueprint
• Executes on SPARK’s South African expansion strategy through new property acquisition and the development of a robust property pipeline to meet the required operational timelines
• Collaborate on business process analysis, design and improvement to facilitate SPARK’s property expansion
• Contributes to the strategic direction of the organisation and drives the development of a strategic plan on the opening of new SPARK Schools and their locations
• Works in conjunction with the finance department on the cash flow requirements and financial forecasting for the property portfolio
• Ensure selected properties are all zoned for education and that all regulatory and compliance requirements are in place
• Ensure the property blueprint is up to date, aligned to the business plan and approved by the board

Property development 

• Design SPARK’s properties in such a manner as to maintain a consistently high standard of scholar safety and “look and feel” of all SPARK schools while promoting the effective use of space and aligned to the SPARK property blueprint.
• Through continued assessment and alignment of SPARK’s operational blueprints, drive cost efficiencies that ensure that tuition remains affordable for SPARK Families
• Monitors business trends and product availability to pay the best price for goods and services without sacrificing quality or delivery times
• Ensure properties are developed with approved budget and on time for school openings

New school openings and grade expansions 

• Adhere to strict project and planning timelines to ensure schools are opened in full and on time in January of each year
• Identify and manage all project risks, particularly in relation to on-time opening of schools and the construction of a safe environment for all students, parents, and employees.To register all schools with the relevant provincial Department of Education, including coordinating the attainment of property compliance documentation from the relevant municipal or legislative bodies.
• To update school registration, in the case of address changes, name changes, or other required updates

School registrations 

• To register all schools with the relevant provincial Department of Education, including coordinating the attainment of property compliance documentation from the relevant municipal or legislative bodies.
• To update school registration, in the case of address changes, name changes, or other required updates

Corporate Governance 

• Mitigating key business risks through environmental scanning and the design of the required processes and controls
• To uphold, maintain and appropriately store all statutory documents and records related to school registration compliance
• Reporting to key internal and external stakeholders on the expansion strategy, timelines and performance

Stakeholder Relations 

• To maintain positive, proactive relationships with the relevant provincial and district officials, ensuring they are kept informed and up-to-date on relevant matters.
• To lead the property compliance representatives responsible for building and maintaining relationships with Municipalities
• Engage with top-tier stakeholders, government bodies, and educational leaders, positioning SPARK Schools as a key influencer in the educational sector.
• Identifying and negotiating key strategic partnerships to drive efficiency and economies of scale

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Degree in business, commerce, property, the built enviroonment or other relevant fields
• A postgraduate qualification is advantageous
• 5 to 10 years professional management experience operating at scale or in a rapid-growth business in a service, property or similar sector
• A minimum of 5 years experience in managing property acquisitions, design and development, including town planning, and overseeing professional services teams
• At least 5 years experience in property management, including but not limited to managing a property portfolio, including property leases, landlords, contracts, and contractors in a multi-site organisation
• Understanding advanced business planning and regulatory issues is mandatory.

Competencies:

• Customer orientation 
• Analysis/problem solving 
• Quick thinking/learning
• Team work
• Communication

Qualities:

• Demonstrates grit through an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact.
• 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
• Resilient, adaptive, and a beacon of integrity
• Makes effective business decisions regarding with whom to discuss sensitive and confidential information.
• A tech adopter who embraces new technology and change, ensuring innovative people practices and techniques that will be effective and efficient at scale.