Alliance Française de Sydney (AFS) is seeking an experienced and people focused Education & Operations Manager to lead the educational and operational delivery of the organisation’s language school.
Based in Sydney CBD and reporting directly to the General Manager, this senior leadership role works collaboratively across the organisation to support educational excellence, operational efficiency and a high-quality student experience.
The successful candidate will join the Executive Leadership Team alongside the Finance and Administration Manager, and the Business Development and Engagement Manager.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced education and operations professional to combine team leadership, educational management and operational strategy within one of Australia’s most recognised cultural institutions.
About the role
The role is responsible for overseeing the educational and operational activities of the language school and ensuring alignment with the AFS overall strategic objectives.
With a balanced focus on educational quality, operational performance and customer experience, the position combines leadership, planning, people management and operational oversight.
The successful candidate will lead:
- Educational operations and course coordination activities
- Customer service operations and student experience
- Teacher recruitment, onboarding and professional support
- Operational planning, scheduling and resource allocation
- Coordination of administrative and operational systems
- Management of the customer service team and teaching coordinators
The role coordinates a team of three experienced teaching coordinators and three customer service officers, fostering a collaborative, constructive and supportive working environment.
The successful candidate will contribute to maintaining high educational standards, efficient organisational operations and continued growth across the institution.
Key responsibilities
Education Management
- Lead and align educational operations in alignment with organisational strategy
- Collaborate with teaching coordinators to develop and maintain high quality language programmes aligned with Alliance Française methodologies
- Support the management of enrolments, attendance, assessments and educational administration
- Oversee operational planning, scheduling and resource allocation
- Coordinate teacher recruitment and onboarding processes in partnership with teaching coordinators
- Support and guide teaching staff through evaluations, professional development and ongoing pedagogical support
- Manage workplace issues and performance management processes relating to teaching staff where appropriate
- Monitor teaching quality, student satisfaction and retention initiatives
Operations & Customer Service
- Manage the customer service team and ensure a high standard of service delivery and student experience
- Oversee CRM systems and operational tools
- Coordinate office facilities management and relationships with suppliers and service providers
- Manage operational logistics, teaching resources and administrative planning
- Ensure collaboration between teaching, marketing and customer service teams to support enrolment growth and student retention
Reporting & Administration
- Provide regular operational and educational reporting to the General Manager
- Maintain accurate administrative records and operational documentation in line with company policies and procedures
- Provide operational and administrative support to the General Manager as required
About you
You are an experienced manager with a strong background in education operations, team leadership and organisational coordination.
You bring:
- Demonstrated experience in education management, operations management or a similar leadership role
- Strong people leadership and stakeholder management skills
- Excellent organisational, administrative and operational coordination abilities
- Experience managing customer service operations and student experience
- Strong interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- A collaborative, supportive and solutions focused management style
- Experience in the education or not for profit sectors will be highly regarded
- Familiarity with CRM systems and operational platforms
Why join us
This is a rare opportunity to play a strategic leadership role within one of Australia’s leading cultural and educational institutions.
The role offers:
- Executive leadership exposure
- A collaborative and supportive workplace culture
- Significant operational responsibility and autonomy
- Centrally located Sydney CBD offices
- A dynamic and culturally engaged working environment
- Access to French language and cultural programmes
Salary will be commensurate with experience.
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.
Application Question(s):
- Do you have experience working in the not-for-profit sector?
- Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check?
Experience:
- Operations management: 3 years (Required)
- customer service: 3 years (Required)
- Team management: 3 years (Required)
Work Authorisation:
Work Location: In person
