Operations Manager

<div><h3>Repton Dubai – Operations Manager</h3><p>Repton Dubai is seeking to appoint an outstanding Operations Manager to join the team.</p><h3>About Cognita</h3><p>Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.</p><h3>About Repton School Dubai</h3><p>Repton Dubai was founded in 2007 and is a ‘world class’ international school in the heart of Dubai. One of the few genuinely international schools in the Gulf Region, Repton Dubai combines the reputation and academic rigour of the UK curriculum, from infants and junior school up to IGCSE level in Year 11 and then embraces the challenges and opportunities of the International Diploma or IB in the Sixth Form, whilst also offering A levels. Set in a stunning campus in Nad Al Sheba, and almost uniquely in Dubai, also offering a dynamic boarding experience, Repton pupils from ages 3-18 benefit from facilities, resources and a classroom and sporting experience that is the envy of their peers. The department is proud of the outstanding results achieved in recent years for both IGCSE and IB. The successful candidate will join a hard‑working, driven and experienced team of dedicated teachers, all working in collaboration to make our subject highly engaging and our young people experts. At Repton we have state‑of‑the‑art facilities, and we have embraced technological advances to allow students and teachers to be creative and successful in the modern world – this is a great opportunity to join a highly effective team.</p><h3>Our Mission</h3><p>‘The rigorous pursuit of excellence, inside and outside the classroom, combined with a passionate concern for the wellbeing of each individual’</p><h3>Purpose</h3><p>As Operations Manager, you will lead and manage school teams, facilities, and day‑to‑day operations to ensure smooth, cost‑efficient delivery and full compliance with group and local regulatory policies. A core responsibility is leading on Health&Safety – developing and enforcing H&S strategy, risk management, incident response, and staff training – while also leading campus expansion and facility improvements, event management, and ESG initiatives.</p><h3>Key Accountabilities</h3><ul><li><b>Facility Management</b>– Provide operational oversight of all facilities and maintenance services; manage maintenance budgets&delivery in collaboration with third‑party contractors&school teams; ensure day‑to‑day operations, including events&functions, comply with all regulations&policies; supervise the quality of work for all other employees to ensure all tasks are performed correctly, efficiently, and effectively; support long‑term strategic planning for asset replacement; improve operational efficiency&reduce environmental impact.</li><li><b>Stakeholder Management</b>– Advise school leadership on driving efficiencies and operational effectiveness; build&maintain positive relationships with staff, senior leaders, Head of Operations, and Principal; manage vendor relationships, set&enforce SLAs; implement&manage policies&procedures across all services.</li><li><b>Contract Management</b>– Participate&support in POQ&tender processes; contract administration&third‑party document control; oversee external vendor performance, changes, and communication to relevant stakeholders; support group service&contracts manager with commission tracking for other income.</li><li><b>Compliance</b>– Oversee onboarding documentation for third‑party contractors; ensure compliance with all group&relevant governing bodies: Health&Safety, Data Protection, KHDA, and Safeguarding policies&procedures.</li><li><b>Projects&Campus Improvement</b>– Support planning&delivery of strategic campus improvement&expansion projects; ensure project modifications receive required approvals&meet specifications, budget&timeline requirements.</li><li><b>ESG</b>– Support ESG team in implementing sustainability initiatives across the schools; promote environmental&social responsibility within school operations.</li></ul><h3>Person Specification</h3><ul><li><b>Qualifications</b>– Bachelor’s degree or relevant operational qualification; NEBOSH and IOSH preferred.</li><li><b>Experience</b>– 3+ years in operational roles, ideally in education, facilities, or service‑driven environments.</li></ul><h3>Key Relationships</h3><ul><li><b>Internal</b>– Senior Leadership team, School employees.</li><li><b>External</b>– Government bodies, Third‑party contractors, Parents.</li></ul><h3>Capabilities and Qualities</h3><ul><li>Health, safety, and compliance leadership</li><li>Budget awareness and procurement control</li><li>Cross‑functional problem‑solving and crisis response</li><li>Strong administration