Project Operations Manager - Wellington International College Lagos at Alaro City

• 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

Hard skills and experience:

• 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.