Director of Operations

Girl's Schools Association; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

St Helen's School, located in Greater London, seeks an experienced and commercially astute Director of Operations to join the Senior Leadership Team.

This pivotal role directs the School's commercial and operational support functions, including Estates, Risk & Compliance, Health & Safety, and Catering, and oversees St Helen's Enterprises Ltd to drive commercial performance in line with the School's mission.

Qualifications

• Senior operational or commercial leadership experience.
• Strong financial acumen and ability to build relationships across a complex organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial strategy across lettings, the Sports Complex and wider enterprise activity.
• Oversee financial governance, budgeting support and termly billing/credit control.
• Manage the 21-acre estate, capital projects and the School's 10-year maintenance plan.
• Lead the School's Risk & Compliance Framework, including Health & Safety, GDPR and business continuity planning.
• Support governance reporting to the Board and its Committees.
• Act as senior point of contact for parents on commercial finance matters, including scholarships, bursaries and hardship support.

Job description

St Helen's School is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for the commercial and operational direction of the School's support functions, including Estates, Risk & Compliance, Health & Safety, and Catering. You will also oversee our wholly owned subsidiary, St Helen's Enterprises Ltd, driving commercial performance in support of the School's wider mission.

Reporting to the Head on operational and governance matters, you will work closely with the Senior Deputy Heads, fellow Business Support Directors and Governors to ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence and strategic development across the School.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading commercial strategy across lettings, the Sports Complex and wider enterprise activity
• Overseeing financial governance, budgeting support and termly billing/credit control
• Managing the 21-acre estate, capital projects and the School's 10-year maintenance plan
• Leading the School's Risk & Compliance Framework, including Health & Safety, GDPR and business continuity planning
• Supporting governance reporting to the Board and its Committees
• Acting as a senior point of contact for parents on commercial finance matters, including scholarships, bursaries and hardship support

About you

You will bring proven senior operational or commercial leadership experience, strong financial acumen, and the ability to build effective relationships across a complex organisation. Experience in an educational, charitable or similarly regulated environment would be advantageous, along with a genuine commitment to supporting the School's safeguarding culture.