Head of School Operations
Position: Head – School Operations
Institution: Reputed CBSE School (New & Upcoming Campus), India
Department: Administration & Operations
Reporting To: Principal / Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / School Director
Position Overview
The Head of School Operations is responsible for the overall operational management of the school, ensuring that all non-academic functions are delivered efficiently, safely, and in alignment with the institution's vision of excellence. This leadership role oversees administration, facilities, transportation, security, housekeeping, maintenance, procurement, health and safety, compliance, events, and vendor management, enabling a seamless learning environment for students, staff, and parents.
The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, operational excellence, financial acumen, and the ability to establish world-class systems and processes for a growing educational institution.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Operations Leadership
- Develop and implement the school's operational strategy in alignment with the institution's mission and growth plans.
- Establish operational policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Build scalable operational systems to support future campus expansion.
- Drive operational efficiency, continuous improvement, and service excellence across all departments.
- Serve as a key member of the School Leadership Team.
Campus Administration
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the entire school campus.
- Ensure smooth functioning of all administrative and support services.
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and student-friendly environment.
- Coordinate with academic leadership to support school programs and activities.
Facilities Management
Manage all physical infrastructure including:
- School buildings
- Classrooms
- Laboratories
- Library
- Sports facilities
- Auditorium
- Cafeteria
- Playgrounds
- Parking areas
- Landscaping
- Utilities
Responsibilities include:
- Preventive maintenance
- Asset upkeep
- Repairs and renovations
- Infrastructure expansion
- Utility management
- Energy efficiency initiatives
Security & Safety
- Develop and implement comprehensive campus security protocols.
- Supervise security personnel and access control systems.
- Ensure CCTV surveillance systems remain fully operational.
- Oversee visitor management and campus access.
- Conduct regular emergency preparedness drills.
- Implement child safety and safeguarding measures.
- Ensure compliance with all fire, safety, and emergency regulations.
Transport Management
Oversee the complete school transport function including:
- School buses
- Route planning
- Driver management
- Vehicle maintenance
- GPS tracking
- Student safety protocols
- Transport vendor coordination
- Compliance with government transportation norms
Housekeeping & Maintenance
- Manage housekeeping teams and outsourced agencies.
- Ensure high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across the campus.
- Supervise electrical, plumbing, HVAC, civil, and mechanical maintenance.
- Implement preventive maintenance schedules.
- Monitor pest control and sanitation programs.
Procurement & Vendor Management
- Lead procurement of equipment, furniture, consumables, and services.
- Develop vendor evaluation and selection processes.
- Negotiate contracts and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs).
- Monitor vendor performance through Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Ensure cost-effective purchasing while maintaining quality standards.
Budget & Financial Management
- Prepare and manage annual operational budgets.
- Monitor operational expenditures and optimize costs.
- Ensure efficient utilization of school resources.
- Maintain accurate operational records and financial reports.
- Identify opportunities for operational savings without compromising quality.
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure compliance with:
- CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws
- State Education Department regulations
- Labour laws
- Fire safety regulations
- Building safety norms
- Health and sanitation standards
- Environmental regulations
- Vendor statutory compliance
Maintain all operational documentation and statutory records.
Health, Hygiene & Student Welfare
- Ensure campus cleanliness and hygiene standards.
- Supervise infirmary operations in coordination with the school nurse.
- Monitor food safety standards in the cafeteria.
- Implement infection prevention and health protocols.
- Ensure availability of first aid facilities and emergency response systems.
Event & Logistics Management
Oversee operational planning for:
- Annual Day
- Sports Day
- Parent-Teacher Meetings
- Cultural events
- School exhibitions
- Conferences
- Workshops
- Admissions events
- Board examinations
- National celebrations
- VIP visits
Ensure flawless logistical execution of all school events.
Asset Management
- Maintain complete inventory of school assets.
- Establish asset lifecycle management processes.
- Conduct periodic physical verification of assets.
- Monitor depreciation, repairs, replacements, and disposal.
Sustainability Initiatives
Lead environmentally responsible campus initiatives including:
- Waste management
- Water conservation
- Energy efficiency
- Green campus initiatives
- Solar energy projects
- Recycling programs
- Sustainable procurement practices
Team Leadership
Lead and mentor teams responsible for:
- Administration
- Facilities
- Housekeeping
- Security
- Maintenance
- Transport
- Procurement
- Front Office
Build a culture of accountability, professionalism, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder Management
Collaborate effectively with:
- Principal
- CEO
- Academic Leadership
- Teachers
- Parents
- Students
- Vendors
- Government authorities
- Regulatory agencies
- Emergency services
Act as the primary operational liaison for campus-related matters.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Facility Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree (MBA, MPA, Operations Management, or equivalent) preferred.
- Professional certifications in Facility Management, Project Management, Health & Safety, or Operations Management are desirable.
Experience
- Minimum 12–15 years of progressive experience in operations or administration.
- At least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Experience in schools, universities, hospitals, hospitality, corporate campuses, or large institutions is highly preferred.
- Experience in setting up operations for a new educational campus will be an added advantage.
Core Competencies
Operational Excellence
- Facilities Management
- Vendor Management
- Procurement
- Budget Planning
- Infrastructure Management
- Risk Management
- Compliance
- Logistics
- Asset Management
- Contract Management
Leadership Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Team Leadership
- Decision Making
- Problem Solving
- Negotiation
- Stakeholder Management
- Change Management
- Crisis Management
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
Reporting Structure
Reports To:
- Principal / CEO / School Director
Direct Reports:
- Administration Manager
- Facilities Manager
- Transport Manager
- Procurement Officer
- Security Supervisor
- Housekeeping Supervisor
- Maintenance Supervisor
- Front Office Manager
Why Join Us?
As the Head of School Operations, you will play a critical role in building and managing the operational backbone of a prestigious new CBSE school. This is an opportunity to establish best-in-class systems, create an exceptional campus experience, and contribute to the long-term success of an institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and holistic student development.
Pay: ₹80,000.00 - ₹100,000.00 per month
Benefits:
Education:
Experience:
- School Admin: 5 years (Preferred)
- Leadership: 5 years (Preferred)
- Facility Management: 5 years (Preferred)
Location:
- Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
