General Manager, Schools Programme Management Unit

The General Manager of the Schools Programme Management Unit will be responsible for translating organizational priorities into well-governed, measurable, and implementation-ready programmes across the school network. This role ensures that programme design logic, operating models, school-facing policies and SOPs, annual planning, performance visibility, data quality governance, and improvement mechanisms are clearly defined and continuously enhanced. The GM will lead the Operational Design and Process Improvement as well as Planning, Performance, and Data Governance workstreams, collaborating closely with the Project Executive on high-impact cross-functional initiatives. This position requires close coordination with teams across Schools Programme Management, Operations, HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Technology and Transformation, and Research and Analytics to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Design, Operating Models, and Governance
Lead the translation of Schools Programme Management priorities into coherent programme designs, operating models, governance arrangements, implementation sequencing, and readiness requirements. Define programme accountability boundaries, decision rights, handoffs, service expectations, escalation routes, and review mechanisms. Oversee the development and periodic review of school-facing policies, SOPs, process flows, and the School Manual. Ensure integration of education programme requirements, staff development, technology, data needs, and operational realities into programme and operating-model designs.

Annual Planning, Network Expansion, and Resource Coordination
Lead integrated annual planning for both new and existing schools, managing planning calendars, assumptions, dependencies, timelines, and resource needs. Oversee network expansion and optimization planning, including capacity assumptions, school configuration, geographic prioritization, student-transition pathways, school-opening readiness, and operational feasibility. Coordinate budgeting inputs with Finance, Operations, and other relevant functions while maintaining ownership of financial controls and formal reporting. Ensure major programme rollouts, school openings, transitions, and operating-model changes are supported by clear plans, decision logs, follow-through trackers, and readiness reviews.

Performance, Data Governance, and Improvement
Establish target-setting, performance review, risk escalation, and corrective-action routines for school-facing priorities. Maintain critical data definitions, ownership, quality standards, validation rules, thresholds, dashboard requirements, and correction workflows. Use planning, performance data, field feedback, and data-quality findings to drive continuous improvements in programme design, policies, SOPs, and operating models. Coordinate deeper analysis and evaluation efforts with Research and Analytics as needed.

Portfolio and Project Oversight
Set direction and governance for high-impact, complex initiatives led through the Project Executive. Approve project charters, outcomes, milestones, budgets, governance arrangements, risk responses, and escalation decisions within delegated authority. Resolve complex cross-functional issues affecting scope, timelines, budget, readiness, quality, or adoption. Ensure project learnings are captured and integrated into operating models, policies, processes, and future planning.

Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
Lead, coach, and develop the Heads of Operational Design and Process Improvement and Planning, Performance, and Data Governance. Collaborate closely with the Project Executive on initiatives aligned with the Unit’s mandate. Establish clear goals, performance expectations, review routines, succession plans, and capability-building priorities. Coordinate with the six Schools Programme Management teams and cross-functional partners to ensure coherent design, planning, governance, and execution support. Represent the Unit in senior management forums, providing decision support, risk visibility, and progress reporting to the VP Outcomes.

Budget and Resource Management
Lead annual budgeting inputs and resource planning for the Unit. Monitor spending, resource utilization, and delivery against approved priorities and budget parameters. Identify opportunities to improve value for money, simplify processes, and strengthen scalability without compromising programme quality or controls.

Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in Business Administration, Education Management, Public Policy, Operations, Strategy, Data, or a related field.

Preferred Experience and Skills
12-15 years of progressive experience in programme management, operational excellence, data governance, or related areas. Proven track record leading large-scale, cross-functional programmes, preferably across multiple regions or a national network. Strong expertise in policy and process flow development, process improvement, and governance frameworks. Experience with digital workflows, dashboards, data-quality systems, budgeting coordination, and change implementation is advantageous.

Core Competencies
Deep understanding of programme design, operating models, process governance, annual planning, and operational excellence. Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical policies, SOPs, implementation plans, governance routines, and measurable outcomes. Strong planning, data literacy, performance management, and decision-support capabilities. Effective leadership skills to manage functional heads, build capability, and establish accountability. Excellent stakeholder management, facilitation, communication, and cross-functional problem-solving skills. Familiarity with network planning, school readiness, digital workflows, dashboards, and data governance systems. Competence in governance, risk management, budgeting coordination, and project portfolio oversight.

This role offers a strategic leadership opportunity to drive impactful educational programmes through rigorous governance, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative execution.