Operations Director – Alternative Provision

Compass Associates; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Associates is seeking an Operations Director to lead the launch of a new Alternative Provision venture. You will shape operational foundations, set up sites, ensure safeguarding and compliance, and design staffing structures with strong executive support.

You will work with founders to drive growth, establish scalable processes, and build an outcomes-driven culture across multiple centres with commercial viability.

Qualifications

• Experience opening, scaling, or improving AP education provisions.
• Strong operational and compliance expertise.
• Deep understanding of safeguarding and education quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Leading operational setup and day-to-day oversight across AP sites
• Creating and implementing policies, procedures, and operational frameworks
• Driving safeguarding, compliance, and quality assurance standards
• Designing staffing models, timetables, and operational processes
• Supporting the launch and stabilisation of new provisions
• Working closely with the leadership team on growth strategy and expansion
• Building a strong operational culture focused on outcomes and accountability
• Ensuring provisions are commercially sustainable while delivering exceptional support to young people

Skills

Operational leadership

Compliance

Safeguarding

AP experience

Strategic execution

Job description

Operations Director – Alternative Provision

Location: Flexible but focus areas are Midlands and South

Are you an ambitious operational leader ready to build something from the ground up?

We are launching a brand-new Alternative Provision venture with significant backing, an entrepreneurial leadership team, and an ambitious national growth strategy. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the founding senior leaders in a business designed to redefine outcomes for young people who need education delivered differently.

This is not a “steady-state” operations role. We are looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys creating systems from scratch, and wants genuine influence over the direction of a growing organisation.

The Opportunity

As Operations Director, you will play a critical role in shaping the operational foundations of the business during its launch and growth phase.

Working directly with the founding leadership team, you will oversee the setup, compliance, safeguarding, staffing structures, policies, and operational delivery across new AP centres as they are launched and scaled.

This is a highly visible leadership role with real autonomy, strategic input, and long-term progression potential.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading operational setup and day-to-day oversight across AP sites
• Creating and implementing policies, procedures, and operational frameworks
• Driving safeguarding, compliance, and quality assurance standards
• Designing staffing models, timetables, and operational processes
• Supporting the launch and stabilisation of new provisions
• Working closely with the leadership team on growth strategy and expansion
• Building a strong operational culture focused on outcomes and accountability
• Ensuring provisions are commercially sustainable while delivering exceptional support to young people

About You

We are looking for a commercially aware operational leader with experience in Alternative Provision or Specialist Education

You will bring:

• Strong operational and compliance expertise
• A deep understanding of safeguarding and education quality standards
• Experience opening, scaling, or improving AP education provisions
• The confidence to make decisions while collaborating closely with founders
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Why Join?

• Founding leadership opportunity within a new venture
• Significant autonomy and influence
• Ambitious multi-site growth plans
• Backed by experienced operators with an established presence in the sector
• Opportunity to shape strategy from day one
• Strong long-term career trajectory as the business scales
• Competitive package with flexibility for exceptional candidates