Operations Manager

The Armidale Waldorf School; Armidale; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition fee discount

Annual leave loading

Superannuation

Flexible arrangements

Job summary

The Armidale Waldorf School seeks a Senior Operations Manager to lead the non-educational operations of the school, including administration, budgeting, compliance, governance and strategic planning. The role emphasizes operational leadership and collaboration with the Principal and external consultants.

The successful candidate will balance efficiency with a community-focused approach, ensuring services to staff, students and families meet high standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated people management skills and ability to build positive relationships.
• Strong operational, organisational and project management capability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with staff, families, contractors and external agencies.
• Experience developing and improving systems, processes and documentation for efficiency and governance.
• Sound governance, risk management, budgeting and reporting capabilities.
• Tech-savvy with ability to support administrative and operational information systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in collaboration with the Principal over day-to-day operational functions.
• Oversee administration, reception, enrolment, marketing and general support services.
• Plan and budget annual maintenance for school facilities and assets.

Skills

People management

Operational leadership

Project management

Communication

Systems improvement

Governance & risk management

IT & business systems

Job description

The Armidale Waldorf School – Armidale NSW

Contract and Salary

• Fixed Term Contract, 12 Months (Parental Leave Cover)
• Indicative Start Date: January 2027. Earlier start date negotiable.
• Loading: 0.8 FTE – 1FTE
• Negotiated base salary, based on relevant experience
• 17.5% Annual Leave loading
• 12% Super
• Tuition Fee Discount
• Super Salary Sacrificing
• Flexible arrangements are negotiable

About Our School

The Armidale Waldorf School is an independent, co-educational school that teaches according to the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. The School has grown since 1985 through the guidance, care and contributions of many, to a student population of over 150 students and now provides a comprehensive education from preschool, kindergarten and primary, through to secondary and senior years, that works clearly out of anthroposophy, focusing on the whole person and providing children with a foundation for life and inspiring them toward fulfilment of their destiny.

Role

The Senior Operations Manager role is tasked with overseeing the non-educational (business) operation of the school. Core responsibilities include Administration and Compliance, Budget Management, and Operational and Strategic Business Planning for the school.

The role is primarily operational, rather than strategic-financial in nature. While it does include responsibility for budget oversight, the production of management accounts, liaison with auditors and submitting Government financial returns is carried out by the School's financial consultant.

About You

Our ideal candidate is an experienced operations professional who is an aspiring Business Manager and enjoys creating efficient, well-organised systems. They have excellent judgement and can balance operational efficiency with the warmth, care and community focus that characterize The Armidale Waldorf School. They value collaboration, continuous improvement, and service, and understand that strong operational management is essential to delivering the school's vision.

This is an excellent opportunity to build experience within the education sector and develop your leadership and business management skills within a supportive and values-driven team.

Supervisor/Manager

Principal

Supervises

• Receptionist
• Site Coordinator (and indirectly maintenance and cleaning team)
• Tuckshop Coordinator
• Freunde Volunteers
• External suppliers and contractors (including IT Support and software providers)

Relationships

• School Leadership
• School Board and Board Committees
• Compliance Officer
• Education Administrator
• Financial Consultants
• External Suppliers
• School families and community stakeholders, where relevant

Capabilities:

• Demonstrated people management skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively in a values-based school community.
• Strong operational, organisational and project management capability, with experience overseeing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage effectively with staff, families, contractors, service providers and external agencies.
• Experience developing and improving systems, processes and documentation, with a focus on efficiency, governance and continuous improvement.
• Sound financial, governance and risk management capability, including budgeting, compliance, reporting and operational oversight.
• Strong technology and business systems proficiency, with the ability to effectively utilise and support administrative and operational information systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational leadership

• Provide leadership in collaboration with the Principal and oversight of the School's day-to-day operational functions.
• Ensure that operational systems, processes, and services are effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the School.
• Contribute to whole-school planning and decision-making as a member of the leadership team.

2. Administration and support services

• Oversee the effective delivery of administration, reception, enrolment, marketing and general support services.
• Promote high standards of service to staff, students, families, and external stakeholders.
• Provide strategic oversight of enrolment, marketing and community engagement functions, ensuring alignment with the School's growth, retention and sustainability objectives.

3. Facilities and asset management

• Work closely with the site team to plan and budget the annual maintenance schedule for the school's buildings
• Ensure the school's grounds, buildings and assets are maintained, legislatively compliant and fit for purpose
• Ensure that facilities-related issues are addressed in a timely and effective manner.

4. Compliance, risk and governance support

• Oversee operational compliance requirements, including child safety, work health and safety, risk management, and relevant regulatory obligations.
• Support the preparation of governance documentation, policies, and reports for the Principal and Board as required.
• Assist in ensuring the School meets relevant State and Commonwealth reporting obligations.

5. Financial oversight and budgeting

• Prepare, monitor, and manage operational budgets in partnership with the Principal and external finance consultant.
• Monitor expenditure against budget and ensure responsible use of School resources.
• Supporting the Finance Consultant with financial reporting, budget tracking, forecasting inputs, and provision of operational data as required.
• Work collaboratively with the external Finance Consultant to support management reporting, audit processes, and financial compliance.

6. Human Resources Management and Payroll Oversight

• Provide oversight of payroll processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and appropriate controls.
• Support the Principal in maintaining sound operational HR systems and practices.

7. ICT and service provider oversight

• Provide oversight of ICT operations and liaise with external ICT providers to ensure reliable and effective service delivery.
• Oversee contracts and relationships with key suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
• Monitor service standards, value for money, and contractual compliance.

8. Leadership and culture

• Lead and support operational staff in a manner that promotes accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build productive working relationships across the School community.
• Contribute positively to a safe, respectful, and values-aligned workplace culture.

Conditions and requirements

• A current NSW Working With Children Check and the ability to satisfactorily complete a National Police Check.
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• Satisfactory background and reference checks.
• Commitment to the School's child safety and wellbeing obligations.
• Occasional out-of-hours work may be required to support Board meetings, events, or urgent operational matters.