Operations Manager

The Independent Schools Council; Babergh; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Independent Schools Council in Babergh, United Kingdom, is seeking an Operations Manager working 36 hours per week across 52 weeks a year. The role focuses on health and safety, estates, facilities, site security and contractor oversight to enable teaching and learning in a safe, well-run environment.

With strong leadership and clear systems, you will partner with the Head and SLT to ensure compliant, welcoming spaces while balancing day-to-day needs with longer-term improvements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations, facilities or estates management is essential, ideally within education or similarly regulated setting.
• Genuine commitment to safeguarding and to being an active, engaged member of the school community.
• Strong leadership with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead on health and safety, estates and facilities, site security, transport oversight and contractor management.
• Ensure that our site, facilities and operational services are safe, compliant, well maintained and welcoming.
• Work closely with the Head and Senior Leadership Team to balance day-to-day operational demands with longer-term planning.

Skills

Operations management

Facilities management

Team leadership

Health and safety

Job description

Hours: 36 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (Mon - Thurs: 8.20 am to 4.45 pm and Fri: 8.20 am to 3.40 pm)

At the heart of a successful school is an environment where pupils feel safe, staff feel supported and everything works as it should — often without being noticed. We are now looking for an Operations Manager who understands just how vital that quiet excellence is.

This is a key leadership role for someone who takes pride in high standards, clear systems and well run spaces, and who enjoys working as part of a close-knit school community. The Operations Manager will ensure that our site, facilities and operational services are safe, compliant, well maintained and welcoming, allowing teaching and learning to flourish.

Working closely with the Head and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will lead on health and safety, estates and facilities, site security, transport oversight and contractor management. They will bring calm authority, sound judgement and a collaborative approach, balancing day-to-day operational demands with longer-term planning and improvement.

We are looking for someone who is practical, organised, proactive and solution focused, a strong leader with excellent communication skills. Proven experience in operations, facilities or estates management is essential, ideally within education or similarly regulated setting, together with a genuine commitment to safeguarding and to being an active, engaged member of the school community.

To find out more:

Please see the Recruitment Pack which includes the Job Description to find out more about this role. If you would like to discuss the job role in further detail, please contact Linda Marsh, HR Manager at the school on 01473 780201.

Closing date: Monday, 7th September 2026 at 9am

Applications will be considered on receipt and we reserve the right to shortlist, interview and appoint before the closing date. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.