South Africa Head of Expansion - SPARK Schools - Rosebank, Gauteng
SPARK Schools, South Africa
Job Description
About SPARK Schools
Watch our Vision Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOU0TYnNsZo
Take a tour of our Website: https://sparkschools.co.za/
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 provides 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 personalised 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 is a high growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools, and 5 high schools and serving over 16,000 families in 2023. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team to complement our organisational mission going forward.
Reports To: South Africa Managing Director
Purpose of Role:
The South Africa Head of Expansion takes direct responsibility for the SPARK Schools property expansion portfolio while contributing to the development of SPARK’s growth strategy to ensure organisational stability over the long-term. Further playing a critical role in developing and maintaining SPARK's market position and achieving financial growth and stakeholder delight through the efficient and timely opening of new and expanding SPARK Schools. The SA Head of Expansion operates in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) macro-environment that must be navigated to ensure continued alignment with the organisation's strategic goals and growth targets.
Requirements
Portfolio of Business Units:
The role requires experience in managing the following business units and associated team members:
- Property acquisition
- Property development
- New school openings and grade expansions
- School registrations
Responsibilities:
Property acquisition
- Support the development SPARK’S Property strategy aligned to the approved Business Plan and property blueprint
- Executes on SPARK’s South African expansion strategy through new property acquisition and the development of a robust property pipeline to meet the required operational timelines
- Collaborate on business process analysis, design and improvement to facilitate SPARK’s property expansion
- Contributes to the strategic direction of the organisation and drives the development of a strategic plan on the opening of new SPARK Schools and their locations
- Works in conjunction with the finance department on the cash flow requirements and financial forecasting for the property portfolio
- Ensure selected properties are all zoned for education and that all regulatory and compliance requirements are in place
- Ensure the property blueprint is up to date, aligned to the business plan and approved by the board
Property development
- Design SPARK’s properties in such a manner as to maintain a consistently high standard of scholar safety and look and feel of all SPARK schools while promoting the effective use of space and aligned to the SPARK property blueprint.
- Through continued assessment and alignment of SPARK’s operational blueprints, drive cost efficiencies that ensure that tuition remains affordable for SPARK Families
- Monitors business trends and product availability to pay the best price for goods and services without sacrificing quality or delivery times
- Ensure properties are developed with approved budget and on time for school openings
New school openings and grade expansions
- Adhere to strict project and planning timelines to ensure schools are opened in full and on time in January of each year
- Identify and manage all project risks, particularly in relation to on-time opening of schools and the construction of a safe environment for all students, parents, and employees.To register all schools with the relevant provincial Department of Education, including coordinating the attainment of property compliance documentation from the relevant municipal or legislative bodies.
- To update school registration, in the case of address changes, name changes, or other required updates
School registrations
- To register all schools with the relevant provincial Department of Education, including coo