Operations Lead – Procurement and Projects

Derbyshire County Council; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

LGPS pension contributions

Professional development opportunities

Generous annual leave entitlement

Free onsite parking at Bakewell Head …

Cycle to Work Scheme

Eye tests and glasses contribution

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working

Job summary

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) is recruiting an experienced Operations Lead (Procurement and Projects) to join our Central Team. You will drive strategic procurement and project management across the Trust, coordinating with senior colleagues and executive teams to deliver outcomes for 33 schools across Derbyshire and Derby City.

The post offers hybrid working with the Bakewell office, home-based work, and opportunities for professional development, with generous leave and LGPS pension

Qualifications

• Experience leading procurement and project management initiatives.
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders and executives.
• Proven ability to manage a complex and varied workload.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational support across the Trust.
• Support, challenge and coproduce with senior colleagues on PM and Procurement.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage a complex and varied workload.
• Be results-oriented and driven to achieve goals.
• Display leadership interpersonal skills with empathy and purpose.

Skills

Procurement

Project management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Job description

Closing date: 27 September 2026

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Job outline

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) are recruiting an experienced Operations Lead (Procurement and Projects) who will bring further enthusiasm and drive to the leadership of the Trust’s Operations function. We are excited to be advertising this new role to work as an integral part of our Central Team. Building on the introduction of new Trust wide systems and MIS, we see this postholder making a significant contribution to the next stage of the Trust’s development and growth, with a focus on Project Management and Procurement. DDAT is a Multi Academy Trust that oversees and supports 33 schools across Derbyshire and Derby City. Established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby, DDAT is committed to providing high quality education for all children in their academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide strategic and operational support and guidance across the Trust.
• Demonstrate the ability to support, challenge, and work in coproduction with senior colleagues and executive teams on all aspects of Project Management and Procurement.
• Have experience of effectively managing a complex and varied workload.
• Be results-oriented, motivated by goals and be driven to achieve those goals.
• Display excellent leadership interpersonal skills when dealing with a range of stakeholders with empathy and purpose.

In return, DDAT will offer you:

• An opportunity to work as part of a supportive team and empower you to further develop the Trust.
• A competitive salary and LGPS pension contributions. Opportunity for Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs).
• Ongoing high quality professional development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave entitlement
• Hybrid working with the opportunity to work from the office in Bakewell, home and the DDAT schools across the Trust.
• Benefits including but not limited to; Free onsite parking at Bakewell Head Office, Cycle to Work Scheme, free eye tests and a contribution towards a pair of glasses for employees using VDU’s, Employee Assistance Programme & an opportunity to work flexibly.

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.

DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).

Please note that we will not consider CVs as part of the shortlisting.

If you have any questions about this post, please contact the HR team via email at [e-mail]. For more detailed discussions, a call with the CEO can be facilitated.

Please note that all candidates must have a right to work in the UK in order to be able to work at our Trust. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for international job applicants.

Interview date: w/c 5th October 2026 (date to be confirmed)