Director of Business Administration

About Role

Reporting to the Head of College, the Director of Business Administration (DBA) will hold primary responsibility for all non-academic related activities in Facilities, Operations, Finance, IT and HR to support the delivery of a high-quality education to students. This responsibility also includes the overall risk management and operational compliance in all non-academic functions. The position requires a highly flexible, innovative leader able to inspire others take a prominent role in the school community and share a passion for excellence.

Our School

In May 2024, Education in Motion (EiM) announced its partnership with Sakol Sathapat, a prominent Thailand-based developer, to establish a Dulwich College International in Bangkok.

Opening in August 2026, Dulwich College Bangkok will join EiM's existing network of international schools in Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai, Beijing, and Suzhou.Dulwich College Bangkok will combine a rich heritage of British international education with Thai architectural elegance, initially catering to 1,000 Early Years and Junior School students, with plans to expand to 1,800 students with the opening of a Senior School by 2029. The College will provide an exceptional educational experience, emphasising academic excellence, holistic development, and the Dulwich ethos.

With a rigorous UK national curriculum enhanced and enriched to accommodate students from Nursery through to Year 13, academic achievement will be supplemented by a rich tapestry of extracurricular activities and state-of-the-art educational resources. Moreover, the school's ethos of holistic development ensures that students emerge as well-rounded individuals prepared to navigate an ever-evolving global landscape.

What You will Do

Key Objectives

• Maintain strong financial, accounting and control procedures that meet the school's financial management plan
• Provide facility management and logistical support services to internal and School community customers
• Develop a well-integrated, directed, efficient and motivated team to run the respective functional areas
• Ensure the School is operating within the constraints of its license and meeting its legal responsibilities
• Manage and oversee day-to-day implementation and support of Group policy and procedures in the Operations, HR, IT, Finance, and administratio

Strategic & Operational Development

• Educational Support: Ensure all non-academic activities directly support the delivery of educational excellence.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with the School Leadership Team to develop long-term goals and growth strategies.
• Advisory: Provide actionable operational feedback and expert advice on school management issues.
• Project Leadership: Act as the primary Project Lead for all non-academic initiatives directed by the Group

Operational Responsibilities

• Capital Planning: Develop and manage a five-year capital and maintenance plan, including facility renovation and construction schedules.
• Health & Safety: In partnership with HQ, maintain a comprehensive and sound Health and Safety framework.
• ESG Initiatives: Implement and oversee ESG reporting requirements in alignment with Group standards.
• Resource Allocation: Optimize the allocation of logistical and facility resources to meet school needs.
• Administration: Oversee and coordinate the reception, secretarial, and nursing/medical support teams.

Community Programmes

• Event Coordination: Manage facility and equipment bookings, ensuring community events align with internal operational requirements.
• Risk Mitigation: Ensure all facility usage is governed by appropriate agreements, contracts, and liability waivers.
• Logistical Support: Oversee end-to-end logistics for school and community events, including setup and teardown.
• Budgeting: Integrate community programme financial requirements into the overarching school budget.
• Community Relations: Foster and maintain positive, productive relationships with the local community.

Operational Risk Management & Compliance

• Risk Ownership: Maintain ultimate responsibility for operational risk management, including all functions under your direct supervision.
• Framework Adherence: Work closely with the Group Risk Management team to strictly follow and uphold the Group Risk Management Framework.

We are Looking for Someone Who

THIS IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR A PROVEN AND INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESS LEADER TO BE PART OF THE FOUNDING LEADERSHIP TEAM IN OUR START SCHOOL IN BANGKOK WHICH IS A PART OF A RAPIDLY GROWING, DYNAMIC, AND FORWARD-THINKING FAMILY OF SCHOOLS.

The successful candidate must possess the intercultural sensitivity and adaptability required to effectively navigate an international environment and be a self-starter, who is driven to take the initiative and achieve high standards in a challenging environment. They will be practical and solution focussed, with a hands-on approach to leadership, as well as a strong bias for action and getting results. A people person, they will be excited to form and lead a team, and be part of a larger group of schools.

• Be a business professional with 10+ years working experience and a passion for education
• Have a design thinking approach to problem solving and the ability to identify and articulate creative solutions
• Be effective at collaborating across boundaries and working in an open and transparent way
• Have consulting and influencing skills
• Be an effective manager of change
• Have a deep understanding of the business priorities
• Have a results-oriented can do attitude and proactive mindset
• Have excellent communication and presentation skills
• Basic Thai language proficiency is preferred

Ready to Make a Difference with Us

https://bangkok.dulwich.org/community/life-at-dulwich/working-at-dulwich

Safeguarding Statement

Our College/School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices, which are aligned to the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection. All appointments are subject to an interview, identity checks, criminal record checks, successful references, possible social media checks, as well as due visa and work permit process as required by Chinese law.