School Operations Manager

**About SPARK Schools**

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of affordable private schools. The SPARK Schools network provide transformational education innovation through Africa’s first blended learning model, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The blended learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalized education at an affordable cost. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools has a culture of collaboration, because getting South Africa to lead global education takes a team effort. We are innovators who strive for excellence through persistence and a sense of urgency to achieve SPARK Schools’ vision, mission and social transformational objectives. Our work environment is vibrant/cheerful, fast-paced/dynamic, engaging/stimulating, tech-enabled and data driven.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven, entrepreneurial organisation, operating 19 primary schools and 1 high school and serving over 14,000 families. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

**Reports To**: Principal

**Purpose of Role**:
The School Operations Manager drives student achievement in the SPARK Schools network by ensuring that their school operates smoothly, efficiently, and to a consistent standard of excellence.

The School Operations Manager is integral to the SPARK Schools “culture” and our commitment to rigorous, engaging learning experiences for our scholars.

**Requirements**:
**Responsibilities**:

- Implement school wide systems and procedures (for example, arrivals, dismissals, cover timetables and aftercare timetables) that facilitate student achievement and align with SPARK
- Schools network wide best practice.
- Facilitate professional development for the operational staff on the implementation of schoolwide systems, as well as personal and professional competencies. This includes designing and facilitating biweekly group sessions and individual one-on-one coaching sessions, as well as arranging for individual professional growth opportunities.
- Oversee the office manager’s administration of the student information system and student records.
- Ensure aftercare attendance and late pick up is tracked accurately and submitted to billing on time.
- Organise and maintain relationships with extramural vendors.
- Line manage school site operational staff (office manager, facilities and maintenance staff, supervisors, and security guard), including regular performance reviews.
- Manage all school inventory, including fixed assets (technology and furniture), stationery, cleaning supplies, and other resources.
- Conduct weekly asset check of all Chromebooks for scholars and staff radios.
- Conduct monthly stock taking and update asset register.
- Oversee the maintenance of the school facility, including coordinating efforts amongst facilities and maintenance staff, SPARK Schools Support staff, outside vendors and suppliers, and security services.
- Maintain a daily schedule of facilities and grounds walk-arounds and observations, including lunch, break and aftercare observations.
- Coordinate with Procurement team at SPARK Support for fixed assets and consumables.
- Manage the site specific and aftercare budgets.
- Participate in the selection of new school-based staff.
- Onboard new personnel.
- Understand and enforce network-wide policies and compliance requirements.
- Lead the site specific crisis management team.
- Understand and implement SPARK Schools crisis management strategy.
- Attend to sick or injured children and liaise with parents/guardians about their children.
- Attend to sick or injured staff and liaise with emergency contacts.
- Attend coaching 1:1s with the school principal and regular team meetings with the principal and assistant principal(s).
- Participate actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.
- Conduct self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

**Qualifications**:

- English language fluency.
- Grade 12 certificate.
- 3-4 year relevant Bachelor's degree.
- First aid training.
- Clear criminal record.

**Experience**
- Preferred: experience managing or working with primary school-aged children.
- Preferred: experience in operations, administration, procurement, project management, or facilities management.
- Preferred: Previous experience leading a team.
- Required: Experience and practice with labour laws.

**Skills and Mindset**
- 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 m