School Operations Manager - Facilities
Posted date [2026-05-02]
(ID: 44744)
 |
GEMS Education is one of the largest and most respected private K-12 education providers in the world, with deep roots in the UAE since 1959. A trusted name in international education, GEMS operates over 47 schools across the Middle East and North Africa, offering a diverse range of British, American, IB, and Indian curricula to more than 115,000 students. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation in teaching, and world-class learning environments, GEMS Education empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential. Its inclusive and purpose-driven culture supports passionate educators in delivering impactful, future-focused education. Whether you’re an experienced teacher, school leader, or education professional, GEMS Education offers dynamic career growth, continuous professional development, and the chance to be part of a legacy that’s transforming lives through learning.... |
Job Snapshot
Role: School Operations Manager
Location: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Education Management
Function: Facilities Management-Maintenance
Experience: Proven experience in school operations, facilities, or business management
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
School Operations Manager in Dubai, UAE within the Education Management sector is a strategic school leadership role focused on facilities management, administration, finance, safety, support services, and smooth daily operations. This opportunity is suited to an experienced operations professional who can manage school resources, lead support teams, maintain compliance standards, and contribute to the long-term success of a high-performing education environment.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Education Management
Function: Facilities Management-Maintenance
Salary: 18000-26000 monthly
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities
* Oversee the daily operation of school facilities, buildings, grounds, administration, and support services.
* Advise the Principal, CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Corporate Office on operational, financial, and business matters.
* Support the school improvement plan by aligning operational performance with academic and community priorities.
* Lead environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and service improvement initiatives across the school site.
* Manage administration and support teams, ensuring clear responsibilities, service standards, and performance expectations.
* Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of non-academic staff across operational departments.
* Monitor budgets, control expenditure, review forecasts, and support financial reporting with the Accounts team.
* Ensure compliance with Delegation of Authority, audit requirements, procurement policies, and internal controls.
* Manage third-party suppliers, contractors, and service providers while tracking KPIs, contracts, and service delivery.
* Oversee preventive and reactive maintenance schedules to keep school facilities safe, functional, and well maintained.
* Supervise cleaning, waste management, catering, transportation, security, accommodation, and school support services.
* Ensure health, safety, safeguarding, and local regulatory requirements are followed across all operational areas.
* Manage site access, parking arrangements, CCTV systems, emergency readiness, and general school security.
* Support the commercial use of school facilities for events, activities, conferences, and community engagement.
* Maintain a welcoming, safe, and efficient school environment for students, parents, staff, and visitors.
Ideal Profile
* Strong background in operations, facilities, administration, or business management, preferably within a school or education setting.
* Proven ability to manage support teams, contractors, budgets, service standards, and operational risks.
* Good financial understanding with experience in budget monitoring, cost control, forecasting, and contract management.
* Confident working with senior leaders, corporate teams, parents, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
* Practical knowledge of health and safety, safeguarding, security, maintenance, and school compliance requirements.
* Able to prioritize competing tasks, solve problems quickly, and maintain service quality under pressure.
* Strong organizational skills with the ability to improve systems, processes, and day-to-day operational performance.
* Professional communication style with a service-focused approach to school community support.
Skills Set
* School operations management
* Facilities and maintenance planning
* Budget monitoring and cost control
* Vendor and contractor management
* Health and safety compliance
* Safeguarding procedures
* Administration leadership
* Support services supervision
* Security and access control
* Cleaning and waste management
* Catering and transport coordination
* Preventive maintenance scheduling
* Financial reporting support
* KPI and contract monitoring
* Sustainability and energy efficiency
* Stakeholder communication
Why Join Us
* Lead a key operational function within a respected Dubai school environment.
* Work closely with senior education leaders while supporting student safety, service quality, and school growth.
* Build strong experience across facilities, finance, administration, procurement, compliance, and community services.
* Join an education group that values operational excellence, safeguarding, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
* Contribute to a professional school setting where efficient operations directly support teaching, learning, and family experience.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a leading private education provider in the UAE, known for delivering quality international schooling across Dubai and the wider region. Through its diverse school network, GEMS supports academic achievement, safe learning environments, operational excellence, and strong community engagement, making it a trusted name for education careers in Dubai.
