Head of Operations

Lodestone House; Rugby; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Lodestone House, in partnership with Rugby School and Bilton Grange, seeks a Head of Operations to lead catering, hospitality, facilities support services, logistics and operational excellence across the schools. The role requires strategic oversight and hands-on leadership to deliver exceptional student, staff and visitor experiences through high standards and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, you will set the vision, drive performance, manage budgets and build

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience in education, hospitality, facilities management or related services.
• Strong commercial and financial management expertise.
• Track record of leading large, diverse teams across multiple functions.
• Experience delivering operational transformation and cultural change.
• Ability to influence at executive level and build trusted relationships.
• Strategic planning, governance, health & safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for operational services across Rugby School and Bilton Grange.
• Lead multiple operational functions for day-to-day delivery.
• Embed best-in-class service standards and operational excellence.
• Develop and inspire high-performing leadership teams.
• Drive continuous improvement and transformational change initiatives.
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting and cost management.
• Strengthen governance, compliance and risk management.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Operations management

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting & finance

Job description

Rugby, Warwickshire

£80,000 - £100,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Lead Operational Excellence Across One of the UK's Most Prestigious Educational Communities

A rare opportunity has arisen to join one of the UK's most distinguished educational institutions as Head of Operations, leading the strategic and operational delivery of catering, hospitality, facilities support services, logistics and operational excellence across Rugby School and Bilton Grange.

This is far more than a traditional operational leadership role. We are seeking an exceptional senior leader who can combine commercial acumen, operational excellence and inspiring people leadership to create a sector‑leading operational environment that supports an outstanding student, staff and visitor experience.

Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Senior Leadership Team, House Masters and operational teams, you will set the vision, establish best‑in‑class standards and drive performance across a complex and highly visible environment.

For the right individual, there will also be opportunities to influence wider operational strategy across the broader Rugby School Group in the future.

The Opportunity

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Setting the strategic direction for operational services across Rugby School and Bilton Grange.
• Leading multiple operational functions to ensure seamless day-to-day delivery across the schools.
• Creating and embedding best-in-class service standards and operational excellence.
• Building, developing and inspiring high-performing leadership and operational teams.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and transformational change initiatives.
• Leading financial planning, budgeting, commercial performance and cost management.
• Strengthening governance, compliance, risk management and operational accountability.
• Ensuring operational services support the wellbeing and experience of students, staff and visitors.
• Acting as a visible ambassador for Lodestone House, Rugby School and the wider Rugby community.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, school leaders, staff, families, suppliers and external partners.

What Success Looks Like

You Will Create a Lasting Legacy Through:

• Consistently high-performing operational services across both schools.
• A clear and sustainable operational strategy aligned to the schools' long‑term vision.
• Strong leadership capability and succession planning across operational teams.
• Simplified processes, improved efficiencies and enhanced service delivery.
• Strong governance, compliance and risk management practices.
• Financial clarity, control and long-term value creation.
• A recognised benchmark for operational excellence within independent education.

About You

You will be an accomplished and influential senior leader with the ability to think strategically whilst remaining connected to operational delivery.

We Are Particularly Interested In Candidates From:

• Independent education.
• Multi-site operations.
• Facilities management.
• Hospitality and service-led organisations.
• Contract catering.
• Complex operational environments with significant stakeholder engagement.

You Will Bring:

• Proven senior operational leadership experience within education, hospitality, facilities management or a related service industry.
• Strong commercial and financial management expertise.
• A track record of leading large and diverse teams across multiple functions.
• Experience delivering operational transformation and cultural change.
• The ability to influence and build trusted relationships at executive level.
• Strong strategic planning, organisational and leadership capabilities.
• Excellent understanding of governance, compliance, health and safety and risk management.
• Sound judgement with the ability to balance service excellence, operational effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
• A passion for delivering exceptional stakeholder experiences and continuous improvement.

Why Join Rugby School?

Rugby School is one of the UK's most distinguished educational communities, recognised for its rich heritage, excellence and commitment to providing an exceptional student experience.

This role offers the opportunity to make a visible and lasting impact on daily school life while helping shape the future of operational excellence across a highly respected institution.

About Lodestone House

Lodestone House is committed to delivering exceptional support services within independent education through innovation, strong partnerships and operational excellence.

Our ambition is simple: to create environments where students, staff and visitors can thrive every day through outstanding service delivery and operational leadership.

Package

• Salary: £80,000 - £100,000 per annum
• Location: Rugby, Warwickshire
• Senior leadership position within a prestigious educational environment
• Opportunity to influence strategy across a wider group of schools
• Significant scope to shape and develop operational services across multiple functions

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Job Reference: com/2309/76416001/52831428/R/SU #Lodestone House

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!