Head of Operations

Teaching Vacancies; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Minerva Learning Trust is seeking an exceptional Head of Operations to join our Central Team and support the Executive Leadership Team. You will lead the operational services across our Sheffield and North Derbyshire communities, helping schools to focus on delivering outstanding experiences and outcomes for children.

With strategic vision, proven operational expertise, and a track record of delivering improvement within a complex organisation, you will oversee estates, compliance, health and

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership and vision for multi-academy operations.
• Proven track record of delivering improvement in complex organisations.
• Experience managing estates, compliance, health and safety and governance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee estates, compliance, health and safety, procurement and capital projects.
• Lead operational services and drive improvements to enable schools to focus on student outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with CEO, Executive Team, school leaders and stakeholders.
• Support sustainability initiatives and ICT governance across the trust.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Project management

Health & safety

Procurement

Sustainability

ICT governance

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

Minerva Learning Trust is a growing multi-academy trust committed to providing an outstanding education for students from a wide variety of backgrounds across Sheffield and Derbyshire. Founded in 2014, Minerva Learning Trust has expanded to a thriving family of schools, including primary, secondary, sixth form, and a unique post-16 provision. We have a strong track record of school improvement, successfully improving schools.

At Minerva Learning Trust, we know that exceptional education does not happen by chance. Behind every successful school, every inspiring classroom and every positive outcome for young people are the people, systems and environments that make excellence possible.

As a growing and ambitious Trust serving communities across Sheffield and North Derbyshire, we are committed to ensuring that every child receives the high-quality education they deserve. As we strive to deliver our Minerva 2.0 strategy and strengthen our family of schools, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Operations to join our Central Team, as part of our Executive Leadership Team, and play a vital role in shaping our future.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced operational professional who is motivated by making a difference at scale. Working closely with the CEO, Executive Team, school leaders and colleagues across the Trust, you will lead the operational services that enable our schools to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional experiences and outcomes for children and young people. This role will be fundamental in creating the environment and conditions for every child to thrive.

The role encompasses strategic responsibility for estates, compliance, health and safety, procurement, capital projects, sustainability and ICT, governance and operational improvement. However, this role is about much more than systems and processes. It is about creating safe, effective and inspiring environments where staff can perform at their best and pupils can flourish.

At Minerva, we are proud of our collaborative culture and our shared commitment to being Outstanding Together. Our schools benefit from strong partnerships, professional trust and a collective belief that we achieve more when we work together. We are ambitious for every child, every school and every member of staff, and we are looking for someone who shares those ambitions.

We are seeking a leader with strategic vision, strong operational expertise and a proven track record of delivering improvement within a complex organisation. You will be equally comfortable developing long-term plans, leading significant projects and building strong relationships with stakeholders at every level. Most importantly, you will understand that operational excellence is not an end in itself; it is the foundation upon which outstanding education is built. Strong financial acumen and experience of planning and managing complex capital projects is a must.

This is a rare opportunity to influence an organisation that is ambitious about its future and deeply committed to serving its communities. The successful candidate will help shape the next phase of Minerva's development, ensuring that our schools have the environments, resources and support they need to continue transforming lives through education.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to combine strategic leadership with meaningful impact, and if you share our belief that every child deserves the very best opportunities to succeed, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Join us and help shape the future of Minerva Learning Trust.

What the school offers its staff

Please see the attached Recruitment Pack

Commitment to safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment, further information can be found in our child protection and safeguarding policy on our statutory information page on our website Minerva Learning Trust. The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In line with KCSIE, the trust/school will be carrying out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of their due diligence.