Head of Operations

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Greater London is seeking a Head of Operations to play a key role in leadership and management. This position involves overseeing various operational functions, managing staff and services, and driving service quality improvements. Ideal candidates will possess senior management experience and expertise in facilities management. Benefits include competitive salaries and professional development opportunities. The closing date for applications is January 5th, 2026.

Benefits

Competitive salaries and pay progression

Access to professional development opportunities

Training grants for qualifications

Generous pension schemes

Free life assurance benefit

Interest free loans for training and computer purchases

Cycle to Work scheme

Discount up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools

Qualifications

• Successful senior management experience in an educational or comparable environment.
• Experience in property and facilities management is essential.
• Ability to manage complex problems and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for key operational areas.
• Manage in-house teams and contractors efficiently.
• Drive service and efficiency improvements across the school.

Skills

Senior management experience

Strategic planning

People management

Financial management

Problem-solving

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the strategic leadership and effective running of South Hampstead High School; the 2022 Independent Girls’ School of the Year.

The role combines long-term planning with day-to-day oversight of staff and services, optimising resources, and driving service quality that enables staff to focus on the educational mission and smooth running of the school. As Head of Operations, you will be crucial to the efficient delivery of the school’s operational functions, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for a number of key areas, such as facilities management, health and safety, enterprise and commercial development, and operations and events.

You will be responsible for managing in house teams and contractors, driving efficiency across various support services, commercialising school facilities, pursuing opportunities for cost savings and service improvements across the school’s operational functions, and overseeing the smooth running of the estates, maintenance, cleaning, and security teams.

You will also work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations on building projects as well as the Premises Manager on health & safety management across the school. You will sometimes be required to deputise for the Director of Finance and Operations, ensuring continuity of leadership and accountability to keep the school running smoothly.

About You

You will need successful senior management experience, including experience of strategic planning, people management, administration, financial management, and project management.

Experience in property and facilities management and/or site development is essential.

You will also need the ability to resolve complex problems and situations, effectively using resources and utilising strategic thinking to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.

About the School

Working at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and fun. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London’s cultural life close at hand, the school is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.

The school is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as:

• Competitive salaries and pay progression
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities
• Training grants for qualifications
• Generous pension schemes
• Free life assurance benefit
• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
• A Cycle to Work scheme
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools

To register your interest please click the apply button.

The closing date for applications is Monday 5th January 2026 at 9am.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted.

The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.