Group Head - Operational Risk & Sustainability

Aldar Education is seeking an exceptional Group Head – Operational Risk & Safety.

As Abu Dhabi’s largest and most established education group, and a leading force in the UAE’s education sector, Aldar Education continues to grow and strengthen its network of schools. To support this growth, we are looking for a dynamic leader to drive our Operational Risk & Safety agenda across the organization.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with 27 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies- in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.  

At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and industry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.  

If you are passionate about excellence and ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey.  

As a Group Head - Operational Risks & Safety, you will  lead an effective coaching and support focussed function to the business in relation to Operational Risk, Health, Safety, Security, Environmental Management, Child Protection and Sustainability. In this role, you will be the key strategy maker for risk management in regard of employees, current, and new, in relation to all Operational Risk matters.

You will continuously lead the function in its efforts to exceed internal & external standards in regard to Operational Risk, while embracing the Aldar Education Core Values.

As a Group Head - Operational Risks & Safety, you will embody the values, vision and ethos of Aldar Education and assist the Operations Team in implementing process and policy which will ensure high quality and successful outcomes. Aspiring to the vision of ultimately delivering a culture of ‘no hurt, no harm’, where the business adds sustainable value to every person and entity that engages and is impacted by its activities.

You will work closely  with managers, employees, customers, and shareholders to address the organizations approach to environmental responsibility with the goal to minimize the companys environmental impact.

Main Duties    

• Continued adherence and compliance with the requirements of ISO45001, maintaining the companies status as a certified business.
• The primary point of contact for all school staff on Occupational Health, Safety, Risk and Sustainability queries, including services, legal and legislation, standards, implementation, applicabl policies and guidelines
• Support EMT and SLT, both upward and downward, in the effective management of Operational Risk for group staff
• Lead the AVA management system, providing reports and dashboards for all relevant stakeholders
• Coordinate and lead internal training in co-ordination with ATA and external stakeholders
• Lead the internal monitoring, document control and review of our Safety Management System, in line with ISO45001, including risk assessment and execution of controls
• Lead the internal monitoring, document control and review of our Environmental Management System, in line with ISO14001, including waste stream mapping and sustainability monitoring.
• Foster a culture of ‘no hurt, no harm’, through an open coaching mentality, focused on supporting dialogue and a no blame mentality.
• To lead sustainability reporting and ESG reporting into both Aldar Properties and external audit companieS
• Oversees the overall execution, mission, and efficacy of the sustainability program and department.
• Review sustainability program objectives, progress, or status to ensure compliance with policies, standards, regulations, or laws.
• Evaluate green operations or programs for compliance with standards or regulations.

Specific Duties    

• To act as the responsible person for Group Operational Risk Management effectiveness and ensure the Group complies with current Envornment, Health & Safety legislation and/or guidelines as issued by Aldar Education HQ advising the OSM team accordingly. 
• To manage the reporting and reporting system within the business.
• To drive a positive and proactive health and safety culture throughout their teams and act as a champion for health and safety. 
• To support the Manager of Occupational Health and Group Clinics across all relevant activities and the implementation of the Occupational Health strategy
• To lead on the recruitment and CPD for our Sustainability champions.
• To lead the Operations team in establishing groupwide specific health, safety and environmental related aims and objectives and ensuring that they are delivered within the required timelines. 
• Ensure all internal and external health, safety and environmental related audits are effectively co-ordinated and that actions arising from such audits are completed in a timely and appropriate manner. 
• Ensure all health, safety and environmental related inspections are completed in line with the Aldar Education standards and any actions arising from such inspections are completed in a timely and appropriate manner 
• To support the effective delivery of a health and safety committee within the school, which meets on a monthly basis. 
• Assesses and analyzes company policies and processes to identify areas in and processes to which improvements can be made in accordance with the organizations commitment to sustainability. 
• Collaborates with appropriate departmental managers to facilitate performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.

Minimum Qualifications    

• Minimum diploma / degree of higher education; or
• Related industry qualification, of graduate level, for the assigned functional area(s).
• Recognized OSH Qualification and/or professional subscription (eg IOSH) desirable

Minimum Experience  

• Minimum 5 years in OSH in any industry; or
• Education industry experience preferable

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills    

• A coaching and supporting leadership style
• Sound working knowledge of OSH standards across UK or USA (OSHA)
• Competent using IT systems, including Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook.
• Strong organizational and prioritisation skills. 
• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral (Arabic proficiency is desirable)
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner. 
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure.
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Forethought and forward planning (particularly as this relates to local Government compliance matters).
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills

What we offer:

Aldar Education offers an attractive remuneration package including medical & life insurance, flights, and education benefits. Our employees have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

Aldar Education is keen to hear from like-minded, forward-thinking leaders who would welcome the challenges and opportunities that we have to offer.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals to join our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.