General manager - school safety and safeguarding

Global Schools Group · Mumbai, India

General Manager – School Safety and Safeguarding

Reporting To: Global Head – Safety, Safeguarding and Wellness

Location: Mumbai

Travel: Frequent intra-regional travel required

Role Overview

The General Manager – School Safety and Safeguarding (South East & North Asia) will lead and oversee all safety, security, and safeguarding initiatives across GSG campuses within the region. This leadership role ensures that all campuses operate in compliance with regional regulatory frameworks and internal global safety standards. The role includes proactive risk management, incident response leadership, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement to ensure safe, secure, and nurturing school environments.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Strategy & Risk Oversight Lead safety and safeguarding operations across GSG schools in the SE & NA region, aligning with the global framework and local legal requirements. Identify and assess region-specific risks (e.g., natural disasters, geopolitical risks, local crime patterns) and implement mitigation strategies. Standardize safety practices across campuses, accounting for cultural and operational differences.

Stakeholder and Regulatory Liaison Build strong relationships with school leaders, regional functional heads, parent bodies, and community stakeholders. Engage with country-specific regulators, education ministries, emergency services, and legal bodies to ensure compliance. Serve as the regional point of contact for audits, government inspections, or third-party safety reviews.

Training & Drills Design and roll out contextual safety and safeguarding training programs in the regional languages where needed. Oversee the scheduling and evaluation of emergency drills including fire, earthquake, typhoon, lockdown, and evacuation protocols. Train designated school staff to act as site safety leads and child safeguarding POCs.

Incident Management & Case Coordination Lead regional coordination during critical safety events – health emergencies, abuse cases, environmental risks, or structural hazards. Guide investigations, ensure legal and procedural compliance, and maintain incident documentation in line with international standards. Share post-incident learnings across campuses to drive continuous safety improvements.

Documentation & Compliance Support schools in maintaining updated safety documentation – including HIRA, SOPs, evacuation plans, and visitor management protocols. Conduct regional audits and provide guidance for compliance with fire codes, health mandates, and child protection laws (e.g., POCSO equivalents, mandatory reporting norms). Monitor and enforce adherence to safe recruitment policies and support background check mechanisms.

Policy Implementation Localize and implement GSG’s global safety and safeguarding policies for each country within SE & NA. Harmonize regional practices with international standards (e.g., CIS, COBIS, NEASC, ISO) while accounting for jurisdictional diversity.

Reporting & Governance Prepare and submit periodic safety compliance reports and dashboards to the Global Head – Safety, Safeguarding and Wellness. Lead safety discussions in regional leadership meetings and represent the function during external accreditation visits.

Key Competencies Deep understanding of regulatory landscapes across South East and North Asian countries. Demonstrated expertise in safety, child safeguarding, and multi-site compliance management. High cultural sensitivity and the ability to lead safety training across different languages and school communities. Proficiency in stakeholder management, from school boards to regulators and parent committees. Strong ability to lead under pressure, respond to crises, and make risk-based decisions. Competence in documentation, auditing, and implementation of international standards.

Qualifications and Experience Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Safety Management, Security, Risk, Education Leadership, or a relevant field. 15–20 years of work experience in safety, security, risk management, or safeguarding – preferably in international education systems or regional networks. Strong working knowledge of regional safety and child protection regulations in SE & NA. Relevant certifications (e.g., NEBOSH, IOSH, First Aid, Fire Safety, Child Safeguarding) preferred. Prior experience managing safety/safeguarding in multiple countries is preferred.

Additional Requirements Must be willing to travel across SE & NA regularly. Availability to respond to emergencies beyond business hours. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; proficiency in any SE/NA regional language is a plus. Strong self-motivation and ability to work with cross-functional and cross-border teams.