Interim Regional Operations Manager

The Kemnal Academies Trust; Romford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPD and career development

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 our multi-site academies. You will work closely with the Senior Regional Business Manager to drive HR, payroll, compliance, and financial processes, ensuring robust governance and service delivery.

You will lead cross-site teams, manage external stakeholders, and promote GDPR and safeguarding best practices.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Flexible approach to working, 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 relationships with administrative teams and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR, Recruitment & Payroll support across multiple academies.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and safeguarding/audit requirements.
• Manage local financial operations including budgets and SLAs.
• Coordinate Estates, Facilities, Health & Safety, and supplier contracts.
• Mentor front-office teams and serve as a principal point of contact for schools and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Office/Hybrid experience

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Google Workspace

MS Office

MIS experience

Accounting software

Job description

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)., Stapleford Abbotts School was built in 1887 and has been an important part of village life since its establishment. Over the past ten years, the school has become popular and there has been considerable amount of refurbishment and new build. The school attracts children from a wide catchment area and from the neighbouring London Boroughs of Redbridge, Dagenham, and Havering. We are committed to. Involving the wider community with school life and work closely with other agencies including other rural schools in the Epping area.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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Interim regional Operations Manager JD and Personal specification

• 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.
  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.

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, 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