Operations Lead - Education

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Windsor; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Salutem Care and Education seeks an experienced Operations Lead for the Education Division to drive operational excellence across a portfolio of specialist schools. You will partner with Headteachers, Principals and central teams to improve performance, ensure inspection readiness, and maintain financial sustainability.

The role focuses on strategic and operational leadership across multiple sites, with emphasis on safeguarding, workforce performance, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience required.
• Experience across multiple sites and diverse stakeholders.
• Proven project management and change implementation experience.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently across geographically dispersed locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational excellence across the Education Division with multi-site oversight.
• Partner with Headteachers and Principals to support day-to-day school operations.
• Drive consistency in systems, processes and operational standards across sites.
• Monitor performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Ofsted requirements, safeguarding and quality standards.
• Lead projects and change programmes; manage budgets and resources.

Skills

Degree-level qualification

Multi-site experience

Communication skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Analytical/problem-solving

Independent working

Education

GCSE English and Mathematics

PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification

Job description

At Salutem Care and Education, our aim is to empower people to live a life they choose, regardless of the care or support they need.

We are proud to provide a range of care and support across our schools, day centres, and residential homes for children and adults. Just like any strong community, we want the very best for the individuals we support.

We’re proud to be recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer United Kingdom, reflecting our exceptional culture, care, and commitment to our people.

In addition, we’re honoured to be named among the 2025 Top 100 Global Inspiring Workplaces, and to have achieved Top 10 in the 2026 UK & Ireland Inspiring Workplaces Awards.

We’re passionate about developing and supporting colleagues for the future. Through a culture of continuous learning and reflective practice, we create opportunities for personal and professional growth — helping our people build meaningful and rewarding careers in care.

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Operations Lead to join our Education Division and play a pivotal role in supporting our portfolio of specialist schools.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you will work in partnership with Headteachers, Principals and central support teams to drive operational excellence, improve performance and ensure our schools deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

As Operations Lead, you will provide strategic and operational support across multiple sites, helping schools maintain the highest standards of quality, compliance, workforce performance and financial sustainability. You will be instrumental in ensuring our schools are inspection-ready, operating efficiently and equipped to achieve their full potential.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy building strong relationships and are passionate about improving educational services, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

Leading Operational Excellence

• Partner with Headteachers and Principals to support the effective day-to-day operation of schools.


• Drive consistency in systems, processes and operational standards across multiple sites.


• Monitor performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.


• Support schools through periods of growth, change and development.


• Provide operational leadership during inspections, audits and regulatory visits.


• Identify and mitigate operational risks, implementing practical solutions to support success.

Supporting Workforce Performance

• Work closely with school leaders and HR teams to strengthen workforce stability and performance.


• Monitor recruitment, retention and agency usage trends.


• Support workforce planning, organisational reviews and change programmes.


• Ensure compliance with supervision, appraisal and mandatory training requirements.


• Promote employee wellbeing and engagement initiatives.


• Support the implementation of HR policies and best practice across the division.

Driving Performance and Improvement

• Develop and maintain performance reporting systems and dashboards.


• Analyse key trends and provide recommendations for improvement.


• Monitor divisional metrics including:




• Occupancy


• Safeguarding


• Behaviour


• Complaints


• Recruitment and retention


• Staff turnover


• Training compliance


• Budget performance


• School improvement actions




• Produce reports and insights for senior leadership meetings and business reviews.

Ensuring Quality and Compliance

• Support schools to maintain compliance with Independent School Standards, Ofsted requirements and safeguarding legislation.


• Coordinate compliance audits and improvement plans.


• Monitor completion of actions arising from inspections and internal reviews.


• Ensure schools maintain robust evidence and remain inspection ready.


• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Leading Projects and Change

• Lead operational projects across the Education Division.


• Support the mobilisation of new services and expansion initiatives.


• Coordinate the implementation of organisational systems and improvement programmes.


• Monitor delivery against project plans and key milestones.


• Escalate risks and barriers appropriately to ensure successful outcomes.


• Work with school leaders to monitor budgets and resource utilisation.


• Support occupancy growth and referral activity.


• Identify opportunities for greater efficiency and improved financial performance.


• Contribute to forecasting, planning and business review activities.

Building Strong Relationships

You’ll work collaboratively with:

• Headteachers and Principals


• HR and People Teams


• Finance Teams


• Quality and Compliance Teams


• Business Development Teams


• External partners and agencies

You’ll play a crucial role in strengthening communication, collaboration and operational effectiveness across our school portfolio.

What We're Looking For

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.


• GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above).


• Evidence of continuing professional development.


• Experience working across multiple sites and diverse stakeholders.


• Experience supporting leaders within regulated environments.


• Strong understanding of quality assurance, compliance and performance improvement.


• Experience analysing management information and performance data.


• Proven project management and change implementation experience.


• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.


• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving abilities.


• Ability to work independently across geographically dispersed locations.

Knowledge

• Safeguarding requirements within education.


• Workforce planning and HR processes.


• Health and Safety compliance.


• Data protection and GDPR requirements.


• PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification.

Our Core Values

• Supportive: Helping everyone reach their full potential.


• Ambitious: Striving for the best outcomes.


• Loyal: Prioritising our staff and the people we support.


• Unique: Innovating without compromising quality.


• Transparent: Fostering openness and mutual respect.


• Engaging: Partnering with everyone involved.

Why Choose Us?

• Emotional Support: 24/7 Employee Assistance, mental health resources, meditation apps, and bereavement support.


• Medical Support: Free Online GP access, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.


• Financial Support: Flexible pay with Wagestream, utility bill savings, Money Helper, and Life Assurance.


• Physical Support: Online workouts, Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, and National Trust activities.

Still not convinced?

Recognised as a Top Employer United Kingdom 2026 by the Top Employers Institute.

Named among the Top 100 Global Inspiring Workplaces by Inspiring Workplaces.

Proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.

Salutem Care and Education is dedicated to protecting and promoting the well‑being of children, young adults, and vulnerable individuals. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful candidate will be required to complete thorough pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS and, where applicable, overseas criminal record checks.