Director of Operations

Chinese International School

Chinese International School (CIS) is now inviting applications for the role of Director of Operations.

About CIS

Founded in 1983, CIS is a private non-profit school in Hong Kong offering an international education from Reception to Year 13 in two languages – Mandarin and English. CIS places a strong emphasis on integrating Chinese culture into its curriculum and broke new ground with the launch in 2013 of a residential study centre in Hangzhou for all Year 10 students. The school has approximately 1650 students aged 4-18 representing over 30 nationalities. CIS is committed to academic excellence of all kinds, with a mission to inspire students to a lifelong love of learning. Further information about CIS is available here: https://www.cis.edu.hk/about-us/about-cis

Transformative Growth under Vision ‘33

CIS is in the midst of a period of exciting and transformative growth guided by Vision ’33, the School’s ambitious road map for the coming decade in the run-up to its 50th anniversary in 2033. Further information about this strategic commitment is available here: https://www.cis.edu.hk/about-us/vision-33.

As part of Vision ‘33, CIS will be expanding its campus, redeveloping an adjacent property at 9 Hau Yuen Path just awarded to the School by the Hong Kong Education Bureau. Scheduled to open in August 2028, CIS’s redevelopment of the 9 Hau Yuen Path site will house students in Years 2–6 and create a number of additional spaces for the community as a whole. It will also permit an increase in the School’s overall enrolment, opening up opportunities for more families to join CIS.

Operations at CIS

The CIS Operations team is responsible for current operational needs and future developments under the School’s phased Master Building Plan, covering both the new campus at 9 Hau Yuen Path and planned renovations for the school’s original campus buildings. Guided by a commitment to carbon neutrality and zero waste, CIS aims to exemplify operational excellence in sustainable, future-focused education.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of School, serving as a member of the School’s Leadership Team, and working closely with the Board of Governors Land and Buildings Committee, the Director of Operations plays a vital role in the life of the school, with roles and responsibilities that include the following:

1. Providing strategic operational leadership for the School and serving as a key member of the senior leadership team reporting to the Head of School. 
2. Leading and developing the Operations team, working closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and functional leaders and contracted partners across the following teams: Health, Project Management; Technology; Administrative Support; Facilities & Security; Food Services; Maintenance; and Campus Security. 
3. Directing the Project Management team in planning and delivering capital projects, refurbishments, and campus improvements on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to learning. 
4. Overseeing the Health Office to ensure high standards of clinical care, regulatory compliance, emergency preparedness, and effective health protocols for students and staff. 
5. In partnership with the Deputy Director of Operations, providing leadership for Technology operations, ensuring robust IT infrastructure, systems, data management, and technical support for teaching, learning, and administration. 
6. Managing Facilities & Security, including building operations, maintenance, campus security, and building management systems, to ensure a safe, compliant, and well-maintained campus. 
7. Overseeing day-to-day operational support functions such as administrative assistance and reception to maintain smooth, service-oriented campus operations. 
8. Managing relationships and performance of contracted services (e.g., Sodexo) to meet agreed service levels and support the CIS community’s needs.
9. Implementing and monitoring operational policies, procedures, and standards that align with the School’s mission, risk management, and compliance requirements.

The successful candidate for the Director of Operations role will demonstrate a proactive, hands-on approach to tackling operational challenges and ensuring campus safety. He or she will be trustworthy, reliable and able work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment. Aligned with the School’s Mission and Values, the candidate will be committed to fostering an inclusive and sustainable School community and will bring a genuine passion for the transformative power of education to make the world a better place.

In particular, CIS invites applications from candidates with the following qualifications:

1. A Bachelor’s, and ideally a Master’s degree, in Business Administration, Operations Management, Facilities Management, or a related field;
2. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, with at least 5 years in operational leadership or facilities management in a high-performance setting;
3. Outstanding project management skills, with proven competencies in overseeing large-scale facility initiatives and cross-functional teams;
4. A deep affinity and capacity for sustainability-based operational leadership and management;
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ideally in both English and Cantonese;
6. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships across various constituencies, and in CIS’s unique context, across multiple cultures;
7. A remarkable record in vendor management, contract negotiation, and budget oversight;
8. Knowledge of school health and safety regulations, as well as risk management principles;
9. Proficiency in office tools, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other information management systems.

How to Apply

Applications for the role of Director of Operations should include the following:

1. CV (maximum 4 pages)
2. Letter of application (1-1.5 pages) with a detailed statement of aspirations and relevance for the position
3. The names and titles of three references (which will not be contacted without prior permission from the candidate concerned)

Completed application should be uploaded via this page. The reference number for this role is 8141. Review of applications and nominations will continue until the post is filled.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Information provided will be treated in strict confidence and used only for recruitment purposes.

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