Operations and Compliance Manager - The Avenue - BTSA

Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Hempstalls; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking an Operations and Compliance Manager to take operational ownership of a school site, oversee premises management, health and safety, and broader regulatory compliance to maintain a safe learning environment.

The role includes leading on-site H&S, managing risk assessments and audits, coordinating contractor works, and guiding policy updates relating to premises, safety, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing health and safety in a school or similar environment.
• Ability to develop and implement premises and compliance policies.
• Strong risk assessment and incident investigation skills.
• Proven track record in managing contractors and facilities programmes.

Responsibilities

• Represent operational, safety, and compliance perspectives in leadership decisions.
• Develop operational strategy and annual premises, compliance, H&S priorities.
• Lead day-to-day Health and Safety implementation and be the on-site lead.
• Manage risk assessments, COSHH, fire safety checks, and statutory audits.
• Coordinate external audits, inspections, and regulatory visits.
• Support recruitment compliance files and the Single Central Record.
• Write and update policies across health, premises, security, and safety.
• Oversee maintenance schedules, PPMs, and contractor works.
• Direct line management of site supervisors and premises staff.

Skills

Health & safety

Premises management

Risk assessment

Contractor management

Policy development

Leadership

Job description

Operations and Compliance Manager

About this Role

JOB PURPOSE

To take operational ownership of the school site, premises management, health and safety, facilities compliance, site staff management, and regulatory compliance administration, ensuring a safe, legal, and seamlessly run learning environment

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Contribution

• Ensure operational, safety, and compliance perspectives are represented in school leadership decisions.
• Contribute to the development of the school's operational strategy and annual improvement priorities relating to premises, compliance, health and safety and business continuity.

Health, Safety & Compliance:

• Lead on day-to-day Health and Safety implementation, acting as the primary on-site H&S lead.
• Lead operational risk management within areas of responsibility, ensuring that identified risks are assessed, mitigated and monitored.
• Write, review, update, and rigorously maintain all school-level risk assessments (including general site safety, fire, COSHH, activities, and operational hazards) to ensure full alignment with regulatory requirements - linked to areas of responsibility
• Provide advice to the Headteacher on other school-level risk assessments
• Manage and record statutory compliance checks, including water testing (legionella monitoring), fire safety checks, and regular audits.
• Oversee COSHH registers, risk assessments, and the safe storage of hazardous materials.

Regulatory & Statutory Compliance (ISSs):

• Assist senior leaders to ensure physical and operational compliance across relevant parts of the Independent School Standards (ISSs), maintaining robust audit trails for premises, health, and welfare.
• Coordinate and support external audits, inspections and regulatory visits relating to premises, health and safety, compliance and operational matters.

Personnel, Policies & Training

• Support HR administration by maintaining and auditing recruitment compliance files and the Single Central Record

Policies

• Write, review, and update school policies and procedures related to areas of responsibility (including health and safety, premises, site security, COSHH, food safety, and associated operational guidelines), ensuring they align with regulatory changes and relevant standards.
• Monitor, log, and audit the practical implementation of operational and safety policies across the school site, and design and deliver relevant compliance and safety training to staff in relation to areas of responsibility
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the school's compliance position, advising the Headteacher and SLT on areas of risk and recommending corrective actions.

Premises, Facilities and Contractor Management:

• Act as a designated key holder, providing out of hours and emergency access to the school site.
• Manage Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPMs) schedules and reactive maintenance.
• Arrange for general maintenance within specialist areas such as heating, lighting, and plumbing to ensure safe and effective operation.
• Responsible for regular health and safety checks of buildings, grounds, fixtures, fittings (including compliance with fire safety regulations), and equipment.
• Provide advice on annual long-term maintenance requirements to support a cost-effective maintenance programme.
• Act as the primary liaison for Trust and external contractors while on-site, arranging works to be carried out, overseeing projects, and ensuring work is completed to the required standard and within budget.
• Responsible for the regular checking and operation of core systems such as heating, cooling, lighting, and security (including CCTV and alarms).
• Purchase premises-related equipment and supplies within agreed budgets.

Catering, Food Safety & Logistics:

• Ensure rigorous compliance with the safe storage of food, food labelling, and stock rotation protocols.

Staff Management:

• Direct line management of site supervisors, cleaners, and premises staff.
• Manage cleaning rotas, standards, and school logistics (such as supporting smooth site operations during peak pupil transition times).