Education Operations Manager: Finance, Estates & Safety

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Longsands Academy is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the academy's operational functions, overseeing finance, estates, health and safety, HR, compliance and business operations. This 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, permanent post is based in St Neots and offers £40,799 - £44,854 per annum.

Working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, you will build strong relationships with stakeholders, drive continuous improvement and ensure staff can focus on

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operations, business management or similar leadership roles.
• Strong financial and budget management with attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and relationship building.
• Experience managing contracts, suppliers and external service providers.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills with management information systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of the academy's operational functions, ensuring efficient business support.
• Oversee financial processes, monitoring budgets, expenditure and financial performance with the finance team.
• Ensure purchasing, invoicing and supplier payments are managed accurately and timely.
• Monitor contracts and service agreements for value and quality.
• Manage relationships with external providers, contractors and partners.
• Lead facilities, estates and maintenance activities with site teams.
• Oversee health and safety compliance and DBS-related requirements.
• Lead emergency planning and fire safety testing procedures.
• Support HR processes including recruitment, onboarding and payroll administration.
• Manage transport, lettings and wider operational services.
• Contribute to the extended leadership team with operational insight.
• Develop and support operational staff to maintain high performance.

Skills

Operations leadership

Financial management

Budget monitoring

Health & safety

Stakeholder management

Contract & supplier management

People leadership

IT & MIS

Job description

Longsands Academy is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the academy's operational functions, overseeing finance, estates, health and safety, HR, compliance and business operations. This 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, permanent post is based in St Neots and offers £40,799 - £44,854 per annum.

Working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, you will build strong relationships with stakeholders, drive continuous improvement and ensure staff can focus on