Operations Lead - Education Division

Olive Recruit; Ribble Valley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme

Wellbeing resources

Health and financial protection

Cycle to Work scheme

Ongoing professional development

Inclusive workplace culture

Job summary

Olive Recruit is seeking an experienced Operations Lead for our Education Division. The role provides strategic and operational support across specialist school portfolios, collaborating with school leaders to strengthen systems and drive improved outcomes for children and young people.

The successful candidate will oversee operational delivery across multiple sites, manage performance, ensure compliance, and lead projects that enhance efficiency, governance, and financial sustainability within

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience.
• GCSE English and Mathematics (C/4 or above).
• PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational support across specialist education sites.
• Drive operational excellence, improve performance, and ensure schools deliver outstanding outcomes.
• Lead inspections, audits, and regulatory visits to stay inspection-ready.
• Develop dashboards and reporting to support decision-making.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and HR collaboration.
• Monitor budgets and resource utilisation to ensure financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with Headteachers, Principals, and central teams to drive improvement across the Education Division.

Skills

Operational leadership

Data analytics

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Regulatory compliance

QA and inspection readiness

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

GCSE English and Mathematics (C/4)

PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification desirable

Job description

Location: Multi-site (England & Wales) - Travel required

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Operations Lead to join our Education Division and provide strategic and operational support across our specialist school portfolio.

This is a key leadership role working closely with Headteachers, Principals, and central support teams to drive operational excellence, improve performance, and ensure schools deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people.

The Operations Lead will support multiple sites by strengthening systems, improving efficiency, maintaining compliance, and driving continuous improvement. You will play a vital role in ensuring services are inspection-ready, financially sustainable, and equipped to achieve their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Headteachers, Principals, and leadership teams with effective operational delivery across multiple specialist education sites.
• Drive consistency in operational systems, processes, and standards to improve service effectiveness.
• Monitor performance, identify improvement opportunities, and support schools through periods of growth and change.
• Provide operational leadership during inspections, audits, and regulatory visits, ensuring services remain inspection-ready.
• Identify operational risks and implement practical solutions to support safe and effective service delivery.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, retention, agency usage, and organisational change initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with HR teams to strengthen workforce performance, employee engagement, supervision, and training compliance.
• Develop and maintain performance dashboards, management information, and reporting systems to support decision-making.
• Analyse key performance indicators including attendance, occupancy, safeguarding, behaviour, complaints, workforce metrics, and financial performance.
• Support quality assurance processes, compliance audits, improvement plans, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead operational projects, service mobilisation, and improvement initiatives across the Education Division.
• Work with school leaders to monitor budgets, improve resource utilisation, and support financial sustainability.
• Build strong relationships with education leaders, central teams, external partners, and regulatory stakeholders.

About You

• Experience working in an operational leadership role within education, care, or another regulated environment.
• Experience supporting multiple sites, services, or geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance, compliance, safeguarding, and performance improvement.
• Experience analysing data, management information, and performance trends to drive improvement.
• 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 while collaborating effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Independent School Standards, Ofsted/Estyn frameworks, safeguarding requirements, and education compliance, understanding of workforce planning, HR processes, health and safety compliance, and GDPR requirements.
• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience, GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above).
• PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification desirable.

Benefits

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, wellbeing resources, and mental health support.
• Access to online GP services, Health Cash Plan, Cancer Cover, and Menopause support.
• Financial wellbeing support, including Wagestream, utility savings, and Life Assurance.
• Cycle to Work scheme, gym discounts, online wellbeing resources, and lifestyle benefits.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Inclusive and values-led working environment where your contribution creates meaningful impact.

Additional Information

This is a multi-site leadership role requiring regular travel across education services. Flexibility is required to support operational priorities, meetings, inspections, and improvement activities across the division.

We are committed to fostering a workplace culture that embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All colleagues are expected to share this commitment and participate fully in safeguarding training and processes.

The successful applicant will undergo a free enhanced disclosure from the disclosure barring service & other compliance checks required