Project Operations Manager - Wellington International College Lagos At Alaro City
full-time
We are seeking a highly experienced, dynamic and strategic Project Manager to support the successful launch of a leading British K-12 day/boarding school opening in Alaro City in September 2027.
The Project Manager will support the Director of Education (DOE) in key business support requirements covering Project Management, Administration, interdepartmental coordination, business operations, budget tracking and performance, corporate services, and general administration.
Responsibilities will include
Project Management:
Manage the project plan covering timelines, milestones, budgets, and deliverables for the school opening in 2027
Review project scope and success criteria in alignment with the Director of Education
Identify and manage dependencies and critical paths to ensure smooth execution
Coordinate internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of project activities
Prepare and submit reports and updates to the DOE including but not limited to weekly plans, budget variances, strategic welfare activities, and all other reports as requested
Facilitate project meetings, prepare reports, and document key decisions and action items
Ensure all documents are filed in the in-house cloud system for ease of access and usability
Regulatory and Compliance:
Partner with Legal team, to manage all licensing, accreditation, and regulatory approvals required to open and operate the school
Liaise with local and state education authorities to ensure compliance with all policies and standards
Ensure quality standards and compliance requirements are met throughout the project lifecycle
Staffing and Operations Setup:
Partner with HR and school leadership to recruit, onboard, and train staff before opening
Lead development of operational systems (admissions, finance, IT, transportation, etc.)
Ensure procurement of necessary supplies, equipment, and educational materials
Academic and Community Launch:
Support marketing and enrollment campaigns, community outreach, and launch events
Track readiness milestones to ensure the school is fully operational by opening day
Manage all internal and external clients/stakeholders, maintain a robust database of client/stakeholder information, and ensure engagement on special occasions
Risk and Budget Management:
Monitor project budget, expenditures, and resource allocation to maintain financial discipline
Liaising with the DOE and Finance, monitor budgeting of key cost drivers including but not limited to OPEX, infrastructure and soft costs, CSR and other CAPEX with periodic reporting as required
Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies
Person specification
Minimum Bachelor's Degree in any field from a reputable institution; in Business Administration, Human Resources Management being an added advantage;
Minimum 5 - 7 years of relevant human resource experience with a reputable Company
A professional member of an industry-relevant association will be an added advantage
Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and MS Project will be an added advantage
Knowledge of HR Processes and procedures
Knowledge and understanding of applicable employment laws and regulations.
Soft skills:
Demonstrated abilities in a managing internal and external stakeholders including but not limited to employees, senior management, vendors and counterparties
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Mature, pragmatic and flexible approach
Strong organizational and analytical skills
Ability to effectively present information
Ability to manage multiple work streams/projects of various sizes and complexity across diversified stakeholder base
Ability to comprehend, analyse, and interpret documents
Ability to solve problems involving several options in situations.
Personal characteristics:
Self-driven;
Resilient;
Tenacious;
Result-oriented;
Ability to work effectively under pressure;
Team player with good interpersonal skills.