Deputy Director of Operational Services at Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust; Sawtry; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational trust in the United Kingdom seeks a Deputy Director of Operational Services to oversee non-academic functions. The candidate will be pivotal in managing procurement and contracts across multiple academy sites, ensuring compliance and efficiency in operations. Ideal for someone with strong public sector procurement experience and leadership skills. Offers a competitive salary and various benefits including support for wellbeing and professional development.

Benefits

Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities

Mental health and wellbeing support

Defined benefit pension scheme

Healthcare benefits

Free on-site parking

Discounts on a wide range of benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in leading strategic planning for a regulated not-for-profit organization.
• Strong understanding of public sector procurement regulations like Procurement Act 2023.
• Knowledge of compliance and governance frameworks in education.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director with strategic and operational leadership.
• Manage procurement, contract management, and ensure service efficiency.
• Travel between school sites for operational support.

Skills

Public sector procurement knowledge

Budget management

Contract oversight

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Job description

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About this Role

Vacancy for Deputy Director of Operational Services

Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Deputy Director of Operational Services to support the Director of Operational Services with strategic and operational leadership of non-academic functions across the organisation. The successful candidate will play a critical role in managing and developing key operational areas, with particular responsibility for procurement, contract management, insurance support and trading activities in our Academies, ensuring best value and efficiency in all services. The Deputy will also deputise for the Director of Operational Services should the need arise.

This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in public sector procurement and contract oversight, combined with the ability to lead cross-functional operational projects in an educational setting.

The post holder will be expected to travel between school sites as required to support operational functions and ensure consistency of service delivery.

The opportunity

• Play a vital role in ensuring all trust and individual academy tender procurements are compliant.
• Review, maintain and refine trust processes whilst ensuring they are legally compliant and meet the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook.
• Providing important business support to tenders entered by Trust.
• Building and maintaining key relationships with main contractors and ensuring deliverables are achieved (catering, cleaning, leisure and premises).
• Maintaining a record of contracts within the trust and ensuring they are reviewed in line with best practice to recommend improvements for best value.

The ideal candidate

• Significant experience of leading strategic planning for an organisation in a regulated, not for profit sector.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and frameworks (e.g., Procurement Act 2023, PCR 2015, Crown Commercial Services).
• Knowledge of compliance and governance frameworks in an educational context.
• Experience of financial and budgetary management.
• Experience of procuring services and monitoring contracts to ensure that value are met.
• Experience of staff leadership and management.

About Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
• Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
• Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
• Cycle to work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher's pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on-site parking
• Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays

To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/ .

For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.

Closing date for applications: 9am , Wednesday 10th December 2025

Interviews will be held on: Wednesday 17th or Thursday 18th December 2025.

Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced.

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.