GM Operations

Job Description

GM – Operations

Purpose of the Role

GM Operations ensures seamless functioning of school infrastructure, safety, and operational services. This role oversees facilities management, project execution, compliance, transport, food services, and stakeholder coordination while optimizing costs and maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

About Manthan School

Manthan School is a leading co-educational day school in Hyderabad offering a dynamic blend of Cambridge and CBSE curricula. Known for academic excellence, the school has consistently achieved top results in CBSE, IGCSE, and A‑Levels, with students earning Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards and placements at prestigious universities worldwide.

Manthan is proud to be recognised as one of the leading international day schools by Education World, ranked 3rd in Hyderabad and 18th across India. Manthan emphasizes holistic development through life skills programs, extracurricular activities, and global learning opportunities. The campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced STEM labs, libraries, art and music studios, a professional-grade auditorium, and world-class sports infrastructure. With small class sizes and a strong focus on student well-being, Manthan nurtures curious, confident, and socially responsible individuals.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Facilities & Infrastructure Management

• Ensure uninterrupted functioning of all school facilities (classrooms, labs, libraries, playgrounds, utilities).
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance of buildings, electrical systems, plumbing, RO systems, AC units, and campus equipment.
• Manage housekeeping, sanitation, landscaping, and waste disposal services.
• Monitor vendor performance and enforce service-level agreements.
• Plan and execute infrastructure upgrades, renovations, and campus expansions.

Project Management

• Lead infrastructure and development projects from concept to completion.
• Coordinate with architects, contractors, and consultants to meet timelines and quality standards.
• Manage project budgets, capacity planning, and space utilization.
• Execute internal projects, mini-projects, and retrofit works efficiently.

Safety, Security & Compliance

• Implement and monitor safety protocols for students, staff, and visitors.
• Oversee fire safety systems, emergency response plans, and conduct regular drills.
• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations related to fire, health, sanitation, transport, and building codes.
• Liaise with security agencies and conduct periodic safety audits and risk assessments.

• Supervise administrative staff and ensure smooth campus operations.
• Manage procurement, vendor selection, contracts, and inventory control.
• Oversee parent-facing operational services and ensure service excellence.
• Prepare and manage operational budgets, including cost negotiations.

• Oversee school transport operations including routing, GPS tracking, and driver management.
• Ensure compliance with government transport guidelines and safety protocols.
• Monitor vehicle maintenance, fuel usage, and discipline standards.
• Address parent queries related to transportation.

• Manage cafeteria operations ensuring food quality, hygiene, and safety compliance.
• Adhere to FSSAI norms and monitor menu planning and dietary requirements.
• Conduct regular audits for kitchen hygiene, storage, and waste control.

• Handle approvals, permits, and compliance with education, municipal, police, fire, health, and transport authorities.
• Manage documentation for licenses, renewals, building permits, and safety certifications.
• Coordinate leasing agreements and ensure legal compliance for land/building usage.
• Maintain updated statutory records and compliance documentation.

• Collaborate with Principal, Academic, Admissions, Marketing, HR, Finance, and IT teams.
• Address operational concerns of students, parents, and staff promptly.
• Present operational reports to management and support educational trips and excursions.

• Prepare annual operational budgets and monitor expenses.
• Optimize costs without compromising safety and quality.
• Negotiate vendor contracts and explore revenue-generating initiatives (uniforms, textbooks, resources).
• Oversee inventory management for classrooms, furniture, stationery, and essential supplies.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Operations, Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Experience: 8–12 years in facilities and operations management, preferably in an educational institution.

Skills:

• Strong leadership and project management skills
• Knowledge of safety regulations and compliance standards
• Budgeting and cost optimization expertise
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Vendor negotiation and contract management

• Strategic planning and execution
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Attention to detail and quality assurance
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Team leadership and people development
• Cost optimisation & vendor management
• Resilience, agility, and decision-making
• Safety & compliance orientation

ISP Leadership Competencies

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.

Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.

Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.

Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.

Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.

Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.

Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.

Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.

Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation.

Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication.

Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.

Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability.

Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.

Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history. 

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding

and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.