Project Manager - New Preschool Set-up

Sky Preschool is looking for a dynamic, entrepreneurial Project Manager to lead the end-to-end set-up of our new campus in BSD Tangerang, Indonesia — from site readiness and licensing through team-building, pre-launch marketing, and opening day. This is a build-from-zero role for someone who thrives on ambiguity, moves fast, and takes ownership of getting a new business off the ground.

Once the school opens, you will transition into the School Manager role, leading day-to-day operations, growth, and community life of the campus — working closely with the Principal or Senior Teacher, who leads the academic program, while you own sales (admissions), marketing, operations, and the overall parent and staff experience.

This role suits someone with a true entrepreneur mindset — energized by building something from scratch, then staying on to run and grow what they built.

• Location: Sky Preschool BSD (specific location TBC), Indonesia
• Reports to: General Director – Vietnam & Indonesia

KEY FOCUSES

1. Phase 1 – New School Set-up (Project Manager)

a. Site & Licensing

• Support finalization of campus location, lease terms, and facility readiness.
• Manage licensing and regulatory approvals required to legally open and operate a preschool in Indonesia (business permits, education ministry requirements, etc.)
• Coordinate with contractors, designers, and vendors on renovation, fit-out, and procurement of furniture/equipment/learning materials.

b. Team Building

• Recruit, hire, and onboard the founding non-academic team ahead of opening.
• Partner with the Principal to recruit the founding teaching team.
• Build the school's culture and operating standards from day one.

c. Pre-Launch Growth

• Design and run the pre-launch marketing plan: brand presence, open days, community outreach.
• Build an enrollment pipeline/waitlist ahead of opening, with a target enrollment number for launch.
• Establish admissions processes, parent communication channels, and enrollment systems from scratch.

d. Project & Budget Management

• Own the master project plan and timeline to opening day; report progress and risks to the Board/General Director.
• Manage the set-up budget, vendor contracts, and spend against plan.
• Anticipate and problem-solve the inevitable ambiguity of opening a new site in a new market.

1. Phase 2 – Launch & Ongoing Operations (transitions to School Manager)

a. Leadership & Team Culture

• Lead, motivate, and support the school's non-academic team day to day.
• Act as the primary point of contact and role model for staff on-site.
• Partner closely with the Principal — lead operations, admissions, and community; the Principal leads curriculum and teaching quality.

b. Sales, Admissions, Growth

• Own ongoing student enrollment targets and revenue growth for the campus.
• Lead school tours, admissions counseling, and enrollment conversions.
• Plan and run marketing events, open days, and community activities.

c. Parent & Stakeholder Relationships

• Be the trusted "go-to" person for parents; maintain proactive communication.
• Represent Sky Preschool with external stakeholders and the wider community.

d. Operations & Program Support

• Manage the smooth day-to-day running of the school.
• Support the Principal on teacher training and mentoring.
• Champion the well-being, safety, and security of all children on campus.

e. Childcare & Playhouse Growth

• Develop Childcare, Playhouse, and/or other programs as feeder pipelines into the main school.

f. Financial Health

• Work with the General Director to maintain financial sustainability and premium positioning.

COMPETENCIES

• Entrepreneurial mindset — experience launching, building, or scaling something from zero (a business, a branch, a program); comfortable with ambiguity and undefined processes.
• Strong, confident leadership — able to build and motivate a team from scratch.
• A natural connector — excellent interpersonal skills, ease building relationships with parents, staff, contractors, and regulators.
• Innovative and creative — brings fresh ideas rather than following a playbook.
• Proactive communicator — flags risks or delays to the set-up timeline early.
• Flexible, culturally sensitive, comfortable working across diverse family backgrounds.
• Punctual, positive, and calm under pressure.

REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Business Management, Education Management, or equivalent.
• Proven experience in project management, ideally including facility fit-out, vendor/contractor management, or licensing/regulatory processes.
• Proven track record in sales & marketing, preferably in a start-up context.
• Languages: Essential – Bahasa Indonesia (Fluent), English (Advanced); Desirable – Chinese.
• Solid administrative and computer literacy skills.
• Willingness to stay on post-launch and grow into the School Manager role long-term.
• Available 40 hours/week during set-up, with flexibility for site visits, vendor meetings, and (post-launch) tours/events including occasional Saturdays and evenings.

Skills: IT Project Management, Team Management, Project Implementation, Project Planning, Project Management, Project Coordination, Risk Management, Trello, Agile Methodologies, Agile Project Management