Position
Title: Global Head of Design and Construction
Location: Nairobi
Number of Positions: 1
About Bridge International
Bridge International Academies was conceived in 2007 out of the belief that giving every child access to a high quality education would have the greatest impact on reducing poverty worldwide.
With that guiding insight, Bridge International developed a strategy that would
enable it to launch a large-scale network of high-quality, ultra low-cost,
for-profit primary schools.Location: Nairobi
Number of Positions: 1
About Bridge International
Bridge International Academies was conceived in 2007 out of the belief that giving every child access to a high quality education would have the greatest impact on reducing poverty worldwide.
Operating a network of schools supported by a strong central headquarters gives Bridge International the scale, experience, and capacity to invest in systems of management, support, training, and innovation that allows individual schools to dramatically increase their effectiveness.
Using this model, Bridge International is able to profitably deliver high-quality education for $4 per child per month. This ensures that its academies will continue to successfully serve its communities as long as parents value the educational service provided.
The first Bridge International Academy launched successfully in Kenya in 2009 and 60 academies will be operating in Kenya in January 2012. Through rapid and strategic expansion, Bridge International will provide a quality education to over a million students in the coming years.
About this position
Overall responsibility for current Bridge International Design and Construction programs, all research and planning to insure that our design and construction, facilities maintenance programs and all facets of the company that directly impact or support the design and construction team support the mission and business model of Bridge International Academies.
Key Areas of Responsibilities:
- Insure that the
regional design and construction departments are meeting or exceeding all
required work plans and standards.
- Insure that all
academies meet the design and construction requirements for informal
schools in all regions to include compliance with all permitting
regulations.
- Optimization of
the engineering, architectural, design and construction process system
wide.
- Coordination
with our marketing, government relations, land, operations, and supply
chain departments to insure proper coordination, communication and
execution of all plans and processes.
- Work with all
constituents to insure that all material supply requirements are met, and
all systems and processes that insure the proper upkeep of existing
facilities are in place
- Review and
coordinate all of the facility upgrade, expansion and refurbishment plans
for existing schools.
- Coordinate with
the Land Department in all regions to properly plan work flow and staffing
levels based on projected openings for new Bridge Academies.
- Insure a proper
compliance and auditing system is in place for the procurement and
delivery of construction materials. Insure compliance with all building
standards in all regions while insuring that we remain within the
financial business model required to drive school profitability.
- Coordinate all
current and go forward design activities to insure that we are building
the best academy possible in all regions given the supply chain, available
materials, business model requirements for that region, and local
conditions that may affect the design or upkeep needs of our academies
- Review financial
statements and insure the proper flow of funds throughout the construction
on process. Manage productivity and activity reports, and other
performance data to measure cost effectiveness and goal achievement and to
determine areas needing cost reduction and programme improvement.
- Determine the
priority for technology and process improvements, based on growth
forecasts while insuring our ability to scale our growth while maintaining
all cost, quality and production demands.
- Establish and
implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, and procedures,
conferring with the relevant Heads of Departments as necessary.
- Work with other
Heads of Departments to ensure all timelines are met in relation to the
construction of schools in various regions.
- Monitor the
costs to ensure budgetary limits are maintained on all school construction
projects.
- Keep abreast of
the activities of design and construction opportunities in the market and
network extensively with the leaders and innovators as well as the
appropriate government ministries to insure that we are always ahead of
needed or desired adjustments to our model.
- Manage the
operational risk through the diligent application of internal controls and
pro-active action to keep within agreed key performance indicators. Hold
monthly reviews of activity and risk assessments with the teams in the
department across all regions.
- Obtain and
maintain strong contacts in the design and construction community to be
able to identify potential resources and support to insure that Bridge
Academies are consistently reviewing and testing advanced design ideas and
construction techniques.
- Liaise with the
relevant government ministries and other international resources on design
and construction, including heavy site construction processes and
techniques, geotechnical engineering practices, civil engineering and
architectural design processes, codes and regulations pertaining to land
development and construction;
- Drive the
forward planning of the engineering and design processes in all regions to
insure that we are delivering the best possible product within the
financial model required within the Bridge financial model.
Specialist
knowledge required:
- Wide experience
in design and construction and/or project development;
- knowledge of the
building codes and other government regulations;
- Ability to build
and maintain relationships with local suppliers, architects and other
trade professionals.;
- Demonstrated
ability to build and maintain new relationships with key leaders in
community, commercial and/or industrial markets.
About
You
- Minimum of seven
(7) years of experience in Design and Construction, including at least at
least 3 years of experience in a senior management role for a large
multinational organization.
- Bachelor of
Science in Design or Construction Management, or related field or a
Business Management Degree.
- Must possess
excellent management and organizational skills and ability to communicate
effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
- Ability to
communicate complex ideas concisely
- Exceptional
negotiation skills
- Team oriented
and hands on approach to land and construction aspects
- Solid attention
to detail.
- Strategic
Thinking
- Planning and
organizing skills
- Information
gathering skills
- Analytical and
interpretation skills
- Problem
solving/decision making and judgment skills
- People
management skills
- Ability to be
adaptable and flexible
- Excellent
written and oral communication skills
- Strong
commitment to BIA’s mission.
In
order to be considered for this position all candidates must register and
upload their CV’s on our website at www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted