Group Operations Manager

CATS Global Schools; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education group seeks a Group Operations Manager to oversee various business units and ensure operational success across CATS Global Schools. This role requires strong leadership, compliance focus, and a knack for problem-solving within a fast-paced environment, aimed at enhancing the student, staff, and visitor experience.

Benefits

Cycle to work Scheme

Free flu vaccine through Healthshield

Financial wellbeing support via WageStream

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Qualifications

• Experience in Operations/Facilities is essential.
• Must be an exceptional people leader.
• Proficient in technology with intermediate Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Support governance of operational aspects across schools.
• Ensure compliance in Health & Safety and operational management.
• Drive performance and engagement within various teams.

Skills

Leadership

Problem Solving

Operational Management

Health & Safety Knowledge

Compliance Awareness

Communication

Technology Proficiency

Education

NEBOSH Certificate

Job description

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About CATS Global Schools

CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers.

With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts school, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada and China.

Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real-life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well-developed links to over 40 top global universities.

We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.

Role: Group Operations Manager

Responsible to: Group Operations Director

Salary: £50K (+ up to 10% bonus after 1 years’ service in the role).

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week (1 Hour Lunch Break)

Primary Location: HQ (Cambridge). Please note: HQ x 2 day, WFH/field-based x 3 days

We are seeking a highly skilled, highly organised and results-driven Group Operations Manager, with a passion for compliance and great attention to detail to support the central Group Operations function of CATS Global Schools.

This is a hands-on role, where you will support various business units spanning across the organisation, including Health & Safety, Energy, Insurance and Estates Management. As part of the Group Operations management team, you will also support our schools to ensure all aspects of on-site operations (Catering, Cleaning, Maintenance) are fully compliant, efficiently managed, and working within prescribed budgets. You will maintain strong relationships across various other central departments, including HR and IT to ensure operational success.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As CATS Global School’s Group Operations Manager working as part of the Central team, you will support the management and governance of all operational aspects at our schools and across the organisation with the goal of delivering a first-class experience for our Students, Staff and Visitors. Below is a summary overview of the role, please note this list is not exhaustive and other duties may be required:

Health & Safety - Compliance, Communication, Continuous Improvement

• Training & Awareness –

Energy & Utilities – Group Performance & Culture

• Operational Management & ESOS Phase 4 Project Execution -

Insurance – Account Management

• Building Leases & Strategies –

Process & Administration

• Process Improvement & Efficiency –

• Customer Experience & Issue Resolution –

Team Management

• Employee Engagement, Development & Satisfaction –

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for an experienced person who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment, capable of driving operational and health and safety excellence while supporting and motivating a strong team. The below are the must haves and nice-to-haves of the successful individual:

The Must Haves:

• An Exceptional People Leader – You’re experienced and excel in a small, dynamic team, driving performance and engagement with direct line reports and indirect Operations teams across our UK schools, while fostering a results-driven culture.
• A Proactive Problem-Solver – A natural troubleshooter, you quickly identify root causes and implement strategic solutions, ensuring minimal disruption and continuous improvement.
• Experience in Operations and Health & Safety – Previous role in Operations/Facilities is essential, you know and understand the reactive and proactive requirements of building maintenance, EHO compliance (catering) and cleaning standards. Health & Safety is a large part of this role and you actually like it! - NEBOSH Certificate is a must.
• A Performance-Driven Operator – You have a strong commercial mindset, consistently meeting and exceeding KPIs.
• A Process-Oriented Thinker – You understand systems and workflows, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
• Adept with Technology – Must enjoy and be able to pick up and make use of technology quickly and operate across a range of platforms. Intermediate Excel skills are a must.
• A Strong Communicator – A great communicator in terms of style & speed of delivery is required. You excel in written and verbal communication, ensuring seamless collaboration across teams and a top-tier customer experience.
• Enjoys travelling – To understand, support, and monitor performance and compliance in our UK schools, you will need to visit them regularly (frequency to be agreed). Our schools are located in Bournemouth, Cambridge, Canterbury, Llanelli (South Wales), London and Northampton.

Please review the full job description before applying. Whilst we are looking for well qualified and experienced candidates, if you meet most but not all of the criteria we still encourage you to apply

The Nice-to-haves:

Industry knowledge – Experience within Education would be helpful

BENEFITS

• Cycle to work Scheme

• Free flu vaccine through Healthshield

• Free eye tests

• Financial wellbeing support via WageStream

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values – Pioneering, Persevering, People – We pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools and employer of choice for all.

SAFEGUARDING

Any appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks which may include social media.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Primary and Secondary Education

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