Schools Portfolio Manager (Primary Schools) - SPARK Schools Support - 2026

SPARK Schools is a social impact disruptor and is leading change in the education space through its network of accessible private schools. The SPARK Schools network provides transformational education innovation through a personalised learning model approach, tailored to each scholar, which elevates student achievement and provides the tools teachers need to serve their students effectively.

The personalised learning model, which combines classroom teaching and online instruction, allows teachers to anticipate student needs and equips schools to provide personalised education at an accessible price point. SPARK Schools is pioneering this transformative education model to ensure the accessibility of university and careers for all.

SPARK Schools is a high growth, mission and values-driven entrepreneurial organisation, operating 21 primary schools, 5 high schools and serving 17,000 families in 2026. We are looking for dynamic people to join our team.

Purpose of Role:

The Schools Portfolio Manager (SPM) is responsible for the instructional, operational, cultural and financial performance of their portfolio of schools. The primary role of the School Portfolio Manager is to coach, manage and support the Principals of the schools in their designated portfolio, with emphasis on excellence in scholar achievement, school culture, professional and leadership development, whilst ensuring that schools remain profitable in line with projected targets. In so doing SPM’s, and through their Principals, ensure that all school stakeholders which include parents, staff and scholars are receiving positive experiences.

SPMs work closely with the functional teams in SPARK Support Office , to ensure excellent service to the schools and network-wide alignment in decision-making and execution. SPMs are integral to SPARK Schools’ culture and our commitment to rigorous, engaging learning experiences for SPARK scholars.

Reports To: Head of Primary Schools

Direcr Reports: School Principals (typically anywhere between 5 and 10 schools with network size depending on enrolment and complexity)

Requirements:
The role has four main pillars that individually and collectively ensure the success of the SPARK Schools portfolio:

Scholar

• Scholar Safeguarding
• Ensure scholar safeguarding remains the highest priority across all schools in the portfolio by upholding SPARK's safeguarding principles and standards at all times. Monitor the quality and consistency of safeguarding practices across schools, and ensure that any safety concerns or breaches are addressed promptly, appropriately and with care. Support schools to maintain environments in which scholars are physically safe and emotionally secure across the campus, in classrooms and within peer groups.

• Academic Outcomes
• Drive strong academic outcomes across the portfolio by ensuring that schools implement SPARK's academic model effectively and consistently. Support School Principals to create conditions in which scholars are nurtured and enabled to progress at an appropriate individual pace through personalised learning, in line with SPARK proficiency targets and academic expectations.

• Social Emotional Learning
• Ensure the effective implementation of SPARK's Social Emotional Learning approach across all schools in the portfolio. Support school leaders to foster environments in which scholars develop confidence, resilience and self-awareness in ways that are appropriate to their stage of development and individual needs.

• Parent Engagement
• Ensure that parents remain engaged, informed and aligned to SPARK's educational approach, products and expectations. Support schools to build strong and constructive parent partnerships that positively contribute to scholar learning, development and the overall school experience.

Business Performance

• Understand the key drivers of school profitability and actively manage those within the role's sphere of influence and control. In particular, support strong business performance through a focus on scholar retention, optimisation of the cost of learning and, where relevant, support for effective collections. Work closely with school leaders and support office teams to ensure these levers are managed in a way that contributes to the overall financial sustainability and success of the portfolio.

Operational Excellence

• Monitor and ensure the effective implementation and maintenance of operational excellence across all schools in the portfolio. Use the School Success Calculator and other relevant data sources to interrogate school performance, identify operational risks and gaps, and ensure that robust improvement plans are developed and executed to strengthen school operations.
• Ensure that school-based operational processes are regularly reviewed for integrity, compliance and alignment to SPARK standards. Maintain a strong focus on ensuring that schools are safe, well run, compliant and able to deliver a high-quality scholar and parent experience.

People and Culture

• Enable school staff to thrive by reinforcing SPARK's purpose and values, and by supporting a culture of continuous professional growth, accountability, feedback and coaching across the portfolio.
• With specific regard to School Principals, identify individual leadership and coaching needs and provide the support, challenge and guidance required to strengthen their effectiveness in leading and managing their schools. Act as a trusted partner to Principals, particularly when they are navigating complex parent, scholar or staff matters.
• Maintain awareness of staff well-being and work in partnership with the Human Capital team to ensure that appropriate support and interventions are activated when required. Contribute to the creation and maintenance of healthy, professional and scholar-friendly school environments.
• Model SPARK's values consistently, demonstrate ethical leadership and sound judgement, and promote high standards of professionalism, conduct and behaviour across the portfolio.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Serve as the primary liaison between the SPARK Support Office and the schools within the portfolio. Build, maintain and strengthen collaborative working relationships with key internal stakeholders, including the Product, Finance and Human Capital teams, to ensure aligned support and effective execution.
• Represent SPARK in selected external engagements as required, including interactions with government stakeholders, shareholders and other external partners or service providers.

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• B.Ed. or PGCE
• SACE accreditation
• At least 3-5 years of experience leading leaders and/or a team of leaders in school management and instruction with proven record of high achievement
• Experience and practice with labour law
• Professional, clear, and concise written and verbal communication, which can be tailored to the audience and brief
• Critical thinking skills applied to strategic planning, data analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and confident decision-making

Competencies:

• Critical thinking skills applied to strategic planning, data analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and confident decision-making.
• Professional, clear, and concise written and verbal communication, which can be tailored by the audience and brief.
• Ability and willingness to take initiative, in order to drive one’s own development and team leadership in a fast-paced environment;
• Calm and resilience to lead self and others through challenges;
• Strong organisational skills that allow a detail-oriented approach, while maintaining a “big picture” view.
• Ability to consolidate feedback in order to clearly communicate highest leverage action steps.

SPARK Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

Benefits:
SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Commensurate with experience/Market related CTC

Location: Randburg, Gauteng

• SPARK Schools Support

Position Type: Full Time

SPARK schools is an equal opportunities employer and preference will be given to candidates from designated groups with due consideration of the company’s Employment Equity goals and targets.

SPARK schools encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.