Operations Manager

Finham Park Multi Academy Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Finham Park School in Coventry is seeking an Operations Manager to take day-to-day responsibility for the school’s operational needs, freeing the headteacher and senior leaders to focus on delivering excellent education.

You will lead Finance, HR, Estates and Health & Safety, acting as the main link between the school and MAT central support, with opportunities to develop systems and empower staff. The role is senior with a strong leadership dimension.

Qualifications

• Experience in school administration and leadership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Finance, HR, Estates and Health & Safety.
• Lead over 100 support staff and work closely with the headteacher to drive school improvement.

Job description

The Operations Manager takes day-to-day responsibility for much of the operational aspects of the school, freeing up the headteacher and other senior leaders to focus on providing an exemplary education to our students. The Operations Manager is a crucial part of the senior team and works closely with the headteacher to oversee key business areas including Finance, HR, Estates and Health & Safety. The postholder will also be the primary liaison point between the school and MAT central support functions.

The successful candidate is pivotal in helping us provide a world class educational experience for our students. Great opportunities will be available over the next few years to invest in our school buildings, and to potentially expand our facilities further. There is also significant scope to develop systems, improve efficiencies, and ensure that that our support staff are empowered to thrive, whatever their job in school.

The role can be intense at times, and the nature of schools is that things happen unexpectedly. The successful candidate will need to show both high levels of organisation, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and the willingness to flex at a moment's notice. This is not just an administrative role, but a major leadership one - overseeing more than 100 support staff. We are looking for someone who communicates effectively, builds strong working relationships quickly, and is people centred.

The Operations Manager enjoys a close relationship with the headteacher and will be trusted with significant responsibilities. Alongside this will be high levels of personal support, options for training and further professional development, and the access to all of the significant resource of the central team. The Operations Manager will spend approximately a day a week in the central Trust HQ, supporting initially with the induction, but in turn working closely with operations managers in the other 7 schools to evaluate systems, seek advice and develop supportive professional relationships.

While experience in a school setting is desirable, we recognise that strong candidates may also wish to transfer from industry or corporate backgrounds. We welcome applications from candidates with a wide range of experience and significant transferable skills. Most important is a commitment to our Finham values, a desire to put people first, significant levels of resilience and the ability to lead.

If you are passionate about making a profound difference, enjoy being part of a dynamic and forward-thinking team, and want to play a key role in taking our already successful school forwards, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To provide a "World Class Education", constantly striving to make the learning experience at Finham Park School the very best it can be. This school is a beacon of excellence for our community where everyone feels safe, valued, included and proud.

About the school

Finham Park is a popular and successful 11 -18 comprehensive school situated in the south-west of Coventry. It has an excellent reputation within the local community as well as nationally and internationally. The school performs consistently well across all measures with attendance and exam results exceeding both regional and national averages.

Strong character is central to our approach, and our five Finham values of kindness, integrity, humility, courageousness and perseverance are at the heart of all we do. We nurture a culture that emphasises excellence and high expectations, while also ensuring that relationships throughout the school are warm, inclusive and respectful.

School is about children "having the time of their lives" - filling their days with so many happy memories that when they look back, they also inspire future generations to enjoy learning. For this reason, we have a challenging programme of extra-curricular activities in a huge range of disciplines - from sport to performing arts; culture days to charity fund-raising events and a student leadership team that is given genuine agency to effect change.

The school is well resourced. New technologies are widely available and are helping to transform teaching and learning across a diverse range of subjects. In addition, ongoing investment ensures our facilities remain extensive and well maintained.

Staff morale is high. The school leadership has a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing, and many staff members have completed their whole careers within the organisation. As a community, we seek to 'positively notice' others, perhaps best seen in our weekly Feel Good Friday celebrations. Staff are empowered to develop and experiment professionally in an environment which prioritises psychological safety and mutual appreciation.

A particular strength of the school is the comprehensive CPD programme. Finham Park believes in utilising its existing expertise from colleagues, and thus all staff are encouraged to offer CPD to the rest of the school. Therefore, weekly sessions of CPD are offered and staff sign up for their areas of interest. We have a broad induction programme for all new staff and trainees. Finham Park has also been instrumental in creating Teaching and Learning Communities as part of our CPD programme. This follows the ideas and research of Dylan William. This has sustained a culture of curiosity and development in the classroom of which, we at Finham, are immensely proud.

Why teach at Finham Park School - note from the Headteacher

We work in schools because we want to make a difference. To use the gifts and experiences we have to transform lives. This is something that Finham Park School has been doing for over fifty years with consistent success. Our alumni can be found leading organisations and communities across the globe.

Our aspiration is to provide a world class education where students have the time of their lives. This means we offer not just a broad, exciting and engaging curriculum, but also a full range of trips, extracurricular activities and in-school experiences. We aim to rival local private schools with our student offer and are unashamedly ambitious for every young person that walks through our door. We are rooted in our Finham values of kindness, integrity, humility, courageousness and perseverance.

We are privileged to have a really experienced, loyal and skilled staff body. Our staff turnover is low, and morale is high. This is because we serve together, in community, supporting each other to be the best versions of ourselves.

Do come and see us in action. You won't regret it.

Mr D Bedford, Headteacher