Interim Regional Operations Manager

The Kemnal Academies Trust; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD opportunities

Comprehensive induction programme

Cycle to work scheme

Free eye tests

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Kemnal Academies Trust is seeking an Interim Regional Operations Manager to stabilise day-to-day operations across Essex academies. You will lead non-teaching processes, mentor front-office teams, and ensure robust governance and GDPR compliance.

The role integrates central trust priorities with academy needs in a shared-service model. You will travel between Essex schools, report to the Senior Regional Business Manager, and work a full-time hybrid schedule with responsibilities spanning HR,

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a similar role; school/academy background is essential.
• Flexible, office-based and hybrid working experience required.
• Must have a valid driver's licence and willingness to travel between academies.
• Strong ability to lead, mentor, and build relationships with admin teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates initiative, independence, and discretion with data and GDPR.
• Excellent communication skills and experience with payroll and recruitment processes.
• Proficient with ICT systems, Google Suite or MS Office; MIS familiarity is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Stabilise day-to-day operations and lead cross-site business projects.
• Mentor front-office admin teams and ensure compliance across academies.
• Act as liaison between central trust team and academy offices.
• Oversee HR, payroll, safeguarding audits and data protection standards.
• Coordinate with regional managers to maintain service levels and contracts.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Flexible working

Driver's license

Initiative

Self-motivation

GDPR knowledge

Payroll coordination

Safer recruitment practices

HR administrative principles

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Google Suite

MS Office

MIS (school management system)

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)

Heybridge Primary School, CM9 4TU

Maldon Primary School, CM9 5DQ

Stapleford Abbotts Primary Academy, RM4 1EJ

Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery, CO4 0DT

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)

Position Duration

Please note this vancy will close at Midday on 06/11/2026

This is a fixed term contract until 31/05/2027

Salary

NJC Essex, Scale 9, Point 32, £44,253

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
• A comprehensive induction programme
• 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 Kemnal Academies Trust

Kemnal Academies Trust is a group of schools with ambition for every child and pride in the communities we serve. We provide a broad and rich education that opens doors. Working together, we give every pupil the support and the skills they need to build a life of purpose, agency, and contribution.

Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership, and learning for all. Our leaders focus on pupil progress and attainment, regularly sharing knowledge, insight, and experience across our family of schools. We believe passionately in the power of collaborative working and actively promote school-to-school support because when we work together, every child benefits.

A Culture of Belonging: Equity, Inclusion & Diversity

Belonging is of utmost importance to us. We strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and respected, where expectations are high, and genuine support is provided. Here, colleagues are trusted to lead, contribute, and grow in alignment with our mission. At Kemnal Academies Trust, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we know diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Flexible Working

Kemnal Academies Trust recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career while balancing their commitments and interests outside of work. We actively promote flexible working practices and opportunities to support a positive work-life balance.

Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment

Kemnal Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to statutory safer recruitment checks prior to appointment. These include, but are not limited to, an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, online searches (in line with KCSIE guidelines), identity and right-to-work verification, reference checks, relevant qualification/prohibition checks, and overseas checks where applicable. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended), certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed.