Interim Regional Operations Manager

TKAT Careers; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

TKAT is seeking an Interim Regional Operations Manager to stabilise and enhance operational efficiency across Essex academies. You will lead non-teaching and administrative processes, support HR/payroll functions, and ensure GDPR compliance within a shared-service model.

You will report to the Senior Regional Business Manager, travel between academies, and drive collaboration with headteachers and central teams to deliver reliable, compliant operations.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a similar role; experience in schools/educational setting essential.
• Flexible approach; office/hybrid environment experience.
• Driver's license and willingness to travel between academies.
• Ability to lead, mentor and build relationships with admin teams, headteachers and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with initiative; strong GDPR knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; primary contact for schools and stakeholders.
• Strong HR admin, payroll coordination, GDPR compliance and safer recruitment knowledge.
• IT proficiency with ICT systems and school MIS/accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Stabilise day-to-day operations across multiple academies.
• Lead key business projects and mentor front-office teams.
• Ensure compliance and governance across all academies in the shared-service model.
• Coordinate HR, payroll, onboarding/offboarding and SCR maintenance.
• Collaborate with central trust teams on budget monitoring and procurement.
• Act as ambassador for TKAT values and ethos across schools.

Skills

HR knowledge

Payroll coordination

GDPR compliance

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Education

Degree-level education

Experience in schools/educational setting

Tools

MIS/HR systems

Google Suite

MS Office

Job description

Shape Our Future:Interim Regional Operations Manager

Location: Essex Region – Based at Hylands Regional Office (Chelmsford) when required, with hybrid elements (dependent on business requirements)

Work Basis: Full-time / Flexible / Hybrid

Reporting To: Senior Regional Business Manager

Travelling: The expectation to travel to the Essex primary school in line with business requirements (Travel cost will be remunerated in line with the Trust travel policy)

Heybridge Primary School, CM9 4TU

Maldon Primary School, CM9 5DQ

Stapleford Abbotts Primary Academy, RM4 1EJ

Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery, CO4 0DT

Role: 37Hr/Wk, 52 Wk/Yr. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, & Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Role Overview

Are you passionate about creating a supportive, thriving environment where children and people can succeed?

Are you a proactive, structured, and experienced operations leader looking to make a meaningful impact across our schools? Do you excel at stabilising operations, driving operational consistency, and collaborating across multi-site environments?

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Interim Regional Operations Manager to support the Senior Regional Business Manager and oversee non-teaching, operational, and organisational processes across the region. This is a fantastic chance to be part of a vibrant department committed to our vision: 'Achieving More Together.

Serving as a crucial bridge between the central trust team and individual academy offices, you will stabilise day-to-day operations, lead key business projects, mentor front-office teams, and ensure robust compliance across all academies within our shared-service model. You will act as an ambassador for our schools and the Trust, embodying our core values, vision, and ethos in every interaction. Forming part of a shared-service model supporting a number of academies, you will act as a key point of contact for schools and stakeholders, embodying the Trust’s values, vision, and ethos.

Your key areas of focus will include:

• HR, Recruitment & Payroll Support: Support safer recruitment, local onboarding/offboarding, and Single Central Record (SCR) maintenance. Oversee absence monitoring, mentor front-office admin teams, audit employee lifecycle data in MIS/HR systems, and assist with payroll queries in coordination with central teams.
• Compliance & Statutory Governance: Conduct termly safeguarding and SCR audits alongside Headteachers and Directors. Support local authority (LA) and DfE statutory returns, manage secure record archiving, and uphold strict data protection (GDPR) standards
• Local Financial Operations: Assist academy leaders and central finance with budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and procurement below tender thresholds. Oversee local Service Level Agreements (SLAs), supplier/service contracts (e.g., catering, cleaning), and explore income generation or grant opportunities
• Estates, Facilities & Health & Safety: Collaborate with the Regional Premises Manager and central estates team to ensure school buildings and grounds are safe, compliant, and well-maintained. Coordinate logistics and contractors for site works, and oversee routine health & safety checks, risk assessments, and fire drills
• Training & General Administration: Oversee staff training allocations, manage external audit inspection processes/action plans, maintain emergency and business continuity plans, and conduct staff performance reviews (PDRs).

We are looking for someone who has:

• Educated to degree level or with equivalent relevant experience in a similar role. Proven experience working within a school, academy, or educational setting is essential.
• A flexible approach to working. Worked in an office and/or hybrid environment.
• Must have a valid driver's licence and be willing to travel across the academies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and build strong relationships with administrative teams, Headteachers, central trust staff, and external stakeholders.
• Initiative and Self-Motivation: You need the ability to work independently, use your own initiative, and take appropriate action without needing constant supervision.
• Confidentiality and GDPR Knowledge: You must maintain confidentiality at all times and possess a strong working knowledge of GDPR to handle sensitive staff and school data securely.
• Excellent communication skills: The role requires excellent listening skills alongside effective written and verbal communication, as you will serve as a key point of contact for schools, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of HR administrative principles, payroll coordination, GDPR compliance, and safer recruitment practices.
• IT Proficiency: You are expected to be experienced with ICT systems, specifically Google Suite or MS Office, and ideally familiar with school management information systems (MIS) and accounting software.

Investing in our employees wellbeing and career development is a priority for us, we can offer you:

• Excellent ongoing CPD, career development and vast promotion opportunities across the trust
• Friendly and supportive environment, where everyone is committed to a work-life balance
• The opportunity to be part of exciting development and innovative change
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free eye tests
• Employee Assistance Programme - free & confidential advice on a variety of subjects ranging from physical and mental health to financial help

About TKAT

The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) is one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts in the South & East of England with 45 Primary and Secondary Academies in the TKAT Family. Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership and learning for all. Within the #oneTKATfamily, the shared and common purpose is to work together as a community of schools to ensure that every child, whatever their background, receives a high quality education. We place a high value on collaboration; ‘achieving more together’, giving staff the opportunity to come together and learn, ensuring a shared sense of purpose across our network and by sharing expertise across the TKAT family.

We have a flexible approach to interviews and can offer a range of dates and times to suit your personal circumstances.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of applications.

Safeguarding

TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.

Our Commitment - Equal, Inclusive, Diverse

TKAT is committed to inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity by encouraging and welcoming differences, listening to individual experiences, aspirations and accomplishments and learning how to grow better together. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of any protected characteristic.

Access to interview

Be Who You Are at TKAT - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self.We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.