Chief Operating Officer

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer – Full IB International School

Reports To: Head of School

Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

About the School:

Our client is a leading full IB International School in Ho Chi Minh City, established in 2006, with a 7-hectare campus and world-class facilities. The school offers exceptional education through internationally trained teachers, catering to families seeking premium academic experiences.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and highly capable
Chief Operating Officer
to oversee all non-academic functions of the School. This role ensures the effective management of Administration, Facilities, IT, Human Resources, Healthcare, Finance, Security, and Support Services, enabling a safe, efficient, and high-performing environment that aligns with IB philosophy and international accreditation standards (IB, CIS, WASC). The ideal candidate will be a strategic operator with strong leadership, outstanding organizational capability, data-driven, and a deep understanding of international school operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations across Administration, Facilities, IT, HR, Clinic/Healthcare, Finance, Security, Transportation, and other support services.
• Ensure operational systems, policies, and procedures are effectively implemented, updated, and compliant with IB, CIS, WASC, and local regulatory requirements.
• Lead campus facilities management, including maintenance, housekeeping, landscaping, vendor supervision, and preventive maintenance planning.
• Oversee IT infrastructure, digital security, LMS systems, and technology support for teaching, learning, and administration.
• Supervise HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, contracts, HR compliance, expatriate support, and employee relations.
• Oversee the School Clinic to ensure high standards of health, safety, first aid, and medical compliance.
• Collaborate with the Finance Department on budgeting, cost control, procurement, and financial reporting.
• Strengthen campus safety through security oversight, emergency procedures, safeguarding protocols, and risk management.
• Lead cross-department coordination to support school-wide initiatives and daily operational needs.
• Prepare and maintain operational reports, documentation, compliance files, and accreditation-related requirements.
• Serve as the primary operational liaison to the Head of School, providing strategic recommendations, updates, and performance insights.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of senior operations management experience, preferably in an international or IB school environment.
• Strong leadership experience managing multi-functional teams (HR, Facilities, IT, Finance, Admin).
• Strong English proficiency with effective communication and interpersonal skills suited to a collaborative senior leadership environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale operations and complex stakeholder relationships.
• Solid understanding of health & safety standards, compliance requirements, and accreditation expectations in international schools.
• Proficiency in operational systems, data-driven decision-making, and project management.

Key Competencies:

• Smart & Strategic Thinking
• Efficiency & Cost Optimization Mindset
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Data-Driven Approach
• Executive-Level Communication & Coordination

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit their CV via LinkedIn directly.