Head of Operations
Role summary
LEAF Academy is entering its second decade. Having established an international reputation for learning-centered education, we are growing in ambition and size. The Head of Operations will guide our growth by driving excellence across three core domains: finance, facilities, and service delivery. We are looking for an exceptional leader who:
takes genuine pride in operational excellence,
can manage budgets, buildings, and people with equal confidence, and
understands that great school operations are a service to students and staff.
This is a senior leadership role. You will report directly to the Principal and work closely with the Leadership Team, our staffulty, and students. You will be supported during your transition by the outgoing Head of Operations.
Your mission is to ensure that LEAF Academy’s physical environment, financial health, and operational systems are safe, efficient, and worthy of the learning community they support.
Your key deliverable: A school where the buildings are well-maintained, the finances are healthy and transparent, the services run without friction, and the operational team is confident, well-led, and oriented toward the learning mission.
Core responsiblities
Finance & Budgetary Oversight
Financial Strategy & Planning: Lead the budgeting and medium-term financial planning processes, driving cost optimization to ensure the Academy’s long-term sustainability.
Performance & Reporting: Manage the Academy’s financial accounts and provide the Principal with clear, actionable reporting on overall financial performance.
Compliance & Expense Control: Exercise rigorous expense control across all functions and oversee the accuracy of accounting documentation.
Facilities & Assets Management
Facilities Stewardship & Maintenance: Ensure all Academy buildings and residences are safe, clean, and operational for the entire community.
Project & Refurbishment Leadership: Oversee the end-to-end project management of all building works and refurbishments.
Compliance & Asset Governance: Ensure all premises meet statutory health, safety, and disability regulations. Collaborating with the Board’s Risk Committee and legal counsel to manage institutional risk.
Operational Excellence & Services
Campus Services & Logistics: Lead the delivery of high-quality food services, front-office administration, and student/staff logistics (including travel, visas, and transport).
Infrastructure & Administrative Innovation: Liaise with the IT Manager to have an appropriate digital infrastructure and efficient administrative workflows.
Legal & Regulatory Governance: Coordinate with Legal Counsel to ensure robust GDPR compliance and total adherence to all statutory and legislative requirements, safeguarding the Academy’s operational integrity.
Expertise & Qualifications
We are looking for candidates who meet the following baseline requirements:
Minimum 3 years of experience in an Operations, Finance, or similar role.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with fluency in English.
Broad working knowledge of finance, legal compliance, facilities management, or IT.
Demonstrated ability or a strong desire to lead a team and manage multiple workstreams simultaneously.
Comfort working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
Why LEAF Academy?
The Academy is right for you if you want to contribute to a brighter future for Slovakia and Central Europe by transforming our education. At LEAF Academy, work is more than a job: it’s a calling to help young people understand and develop Character, Excellence, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Civic Engagement.
What we offer:
A Learning Community: As an NEASC-accredited institution, we uphold the highest global standards of educational excellence while fostering a sense of local belonging.
Deeply Purposeful Work: You’ll mentor and inspire young minds, helping students turn their ideas into real-world projects that improve their communities.
Your Own Growth Engine: We believe in our staff as much as our students. You’ll enjoy a supportive environment that encourages you to innovate, take risks, and develop yourself and others.
Innovation in the Heart of Bratislava: Join us in our modern building where tradition meets future-oriented pedagogy. You will have the scope to build and improve systems that affect every person in the school — staffulty, students, and families. It is operational work with genuine institutional impact.
Employment Terms & Compensation
Starting salary: From €2,500 gross per month, with the final offer based on professional background and qualifications.
Start date: August 2026 (exact date TBC)
Location: LEAF Academy, Bratislava
Employment type: Full-time, 100%
The incoming Head of Operations will be shadowed and supported by the outgoing Head of Operations during a structured 6-month handover period.
How To Apply
We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage early submissions. To apply, submit your current CV or résumé and a brief cover letter (no more than one page) addressing why this role and the Academy.
About Us
LEAF Academy is the only international boarding and day high school in Bratislava. We are on a mission to develop a new generation of value-driven, entrepreneurial leaders who will shape the future of our society. We don't just teach; we empower.
Our unique educational model bridges the gap between a world-class academic curriculum (including AP) and real-world impact. We go beyond grades, focusing equally on character development, civic engagement, and innovative thinking. To achieve this, we have built a diverse, inclusive community of students from various backgrounds.
Joining LEAF Academy means becoming part of an exceptional team of educators who are as passionate about growth and innovation as our students. As one of our colleagues would say: "I’ve seen very few teams with this much potential to tackle the tough problems for the greater good, while staying genuinely kind through it all."