Operations Senior Manager

About the role

The Operations Senior Manager is responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming, efficient and well-managed environment that enables students and staff to thrive. The role provides strategic leadership and oversight of all non-academic operational services across the campus, ensuring that facilities, security, health and safety, catering, reception and health services operate effectively and support the educational mission of the school. The post holder leads operational teams and service providers through a culture of kindness, accountability, service excellence and continuous improvement.

About us

St. Paul’s was founded in 1926 and was the first school in South America to receive accreditation from the UK government as a British School Oversees. Fully coeducational, with about 1,000 pupils, aged from 3 to 18, it is a school with history and tradition, but which embraces innovation, contemporary values and the latest in digital learning. We are a world-class school, and an international member of HMC and IAPS, and a member of COBIS and the LAHC. We are proud of our local, national and international reputation and we constantly strive to improve the opportunities for our pupils and staff. Our recent BSO inspection judged us as a leading British School overseas, and you can download the report from our website. Our exceptional facilities place teaching and learning at the heart of the school.

School Values

All staff are expected to conduct themselves in line with the school’s values which are:

KINDNESS, INTEGRITY, ASPIRATION, INCLUSION, RESPONSIBILITY, ADVENTURE

Watch a video of the school:

More details about the school can be found at www.stpauls.br.

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for all campus operational services.

• Develop and implement operational plans aligned with the school’s strategic objectives.

• Contribute to long-term campus planning, infrastructure development and operational excellence initiatives.

• Represent Operations within senior leadership discussions and governance forums.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability and customer service.

Operational Management

• Oversee the effective delivery of facilities, maintenance, catering, reception, health services and security operations through internal teams and contracted service providers.

• Ensure operational services contribute positively to the experience of students, staff, parents and visitors.

• Monitor operational performance through agreed KPIs, service standards and stakeholder feedback.

• Ensure operational risks are identified, mitigated and regularly reviewed.

• Maintain oversight of major operational incidents, ensuring appropriate response and resolution.

Facilities and Campus Infrastructure

• Oversee the maintenance, functionality and continuous improvement of the school’s buildings, grounds and infrastructure.

• Lead the planning and delivery of operational and infrastructure projects, ensuring completion within agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards.

• Develop business cases and recommendations for capital investment and campus improvement initiatives.

• Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements relating to facilities and building operations.

Security, Health & Safety and Safeguarding

• Provide strategic oversight of the school's security function through the Security Manager.

• Ensure robust emergency preparedness, business continuity and crisis management arrangements are in place.

• Act as the senior operational sponsor for Health & Safety across the campus.

• Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

• Ensure safeguarding considerations are embedded within operational practices and decision-making.

Financial and Contract Management

• Develop and manage operational budgets, including facilities, security, service contracts and capital expenditure.

• Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for efficiency and value enhancement.

• Oversee the governance and performance of outsourced service providers, ensuring contractual obligations and service standards are achieved.

• Support contract renewal and procurement processes in partnership with relevant internal stakeholders.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach and develop operational leaders and teams.

• Build a culture of trust, accountability, inclusion and professional growth.

• Drive performance management, succession planning and capability development across operational functions.

• Promote collaboration between operational and academic teams, ensuring a seamless experience for the school community.

Leadership Expectations

The Operations Senior Manager is expected to model the values of St. Paul’s School at all times.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead with kindness, integrity and respect.

• Build trust across diverse teams and stakeholder groups.

• Demonstrate empathy while maintaining high standards of accountability.

• Treat all members of the community with equal dignity and professionalism, regardless of role or seniority.

• Create an environment where people feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed.

• Lead through visibility, presence and authentic engagement with the school community.

Reports To

General Manager

Direct Reports

• Security Manager

• Operations Supervisor

• Campus Engineering & Maintenance Coordinator

• Other operational leadership roles as required

Please ensure your entire application is in English.

Our benefits

• Health insurance

• Dental plan

• Pension plan

• Onsite lunches

• Food card

• Transportation tickets
  

Safeguarding

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role would be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks (including Internet and Social Media profiles and exposure), an overseas check if appropriate and a pre-placement medical assessment. Proof of entitlement to work in Brazil is also required where necessary.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

St Paul’s is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We recognise the value of diverse environments and strive to promote a culture in which all pupils, staff and members of the school community are welcomed and supported to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair treatment, embarrassment, discrimination, bullying and harassment.

Person Specification

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Facilities Management or a related field.

• Significant leadership experience within operations, facilities, hospitality, service management or similar environments.

• Experience managing large operational teams and outsourced service providers.

• Strong financial and budget management capability.

• Demonstrated experience leading complex operational environments with multiple stakeholders.

• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance, risk management and health & safety requirements.

• Professional fluency in Portuguese and English.

Desirable

• Experience within an educational environment, international school, university, healthcare, hospitality or similar service-intensive organisation.

• Postgraduate qualification or MBA.

• Experience managing capital projects and infrastructure programmes.

• Familiarity with facilities management systems and operational performance frameworks.

Key Competencies

• Kindness and empathy in leadership.

• Integrity and ethical decision-making.

• Strategic thinking and sound judgement.

• Strong people leadership and coaching capability.

• Ability to influence and build relationships across all levels.

• Commercial and financial acumen.

• Operational excellence and a continuous improvement mindset.

• Resilience and calm decision-making under pressure.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.