Operations Manager

Astrea Academy Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Astrea Academy Trust is seeking an Operations Manager to provide operational leadership across Sheffield Primary academies. Based at one school, you will lead day-to-day operations and support Principals and central teams to ensure compliant, efficient operations that enable excellent education for pupils.

You will oversee finance, HR, procurement, contracts and health & safety, working across multiple sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Has experience in school operations, business management or a similar leadership role.
• Demonstrates strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Has good understanding of finance, HR, compliance and operational management.
• Confident leading teams and managing performance.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Uses initiative, solves problems proactively and makes sound decisions.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Is adaptable, resilient and comfortable across different school environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day school operations, ensuring effective systems, processes and procedures.
• Act as academy lead for finance-related activity, including budgeting support, purchasing, payroll and compliance.
• Manage HR administration and processes, including absence management and recruitment support.
• Work with central teams to ensure safeguarding, data protection and statutory requirements.
• Line manage administrative, premises and catering teams and provide performance guidance.
• Coordinate premises management, maintenance programmes, service contracts and health and safety.
• Support Principals and Senior Leaders with operational planning and resource management.
• Oversee school administration functions, contracts, licenses and insurance requirements.
• Monitor operational budgets and ensure value for money across services.

Skills

School operations

Leadership

Finance & HR

Team leadership

Prioritisation

Problem solving

Communication

Adaptability

Job description

At Astrea Academy Trust, we are committed to providing every child with an excellent education and the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Our academies are driven by high expectations, strong values and a belief that all children can succeed. We know that outstanding operational support is essential to delivering exceptional educational outcomes, and we are looking for a talented Operations Manager to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly capable and adaptable individual to provide operational leadership across our Sheffield Primary academies when required. Based at one of our Sheffield primary schools, you will support by stepping in where operational expertise is needed most. This role would suit someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys variety, can quickly establish themselves within a team and is confident making decisions independently. We need someone who can hit the ground running and provide immediate, high-quality support to school leaders and operational teams. The Role Working closely with Principals, you will ensure the smooth day-to-day running of academy operations and act as the key link between schools and Astrea's central teams. You will play a vital role in ensuring schools remain compliant, efficient and well-supported, enabling staff to focus on delivering a brilliant education for every pupil.

• Lead and oversee day-to-day school operations, ensuring effective systems, processes and procedures are in place.
• Act as the academy lead for finance-related activity, including budgeting support, purchasing, payroll processes and financial compliance.
• Manage HR administration and processes, including absence management, staffing changes, recruitment support and maintaining the Single Central Record.
• Work with central teams to ensure compliance with safeguarding, data protection, employment and statutory requirements.
• Line manage administrative, premises and catering teams, providing support, guidance and performance management.
• Coordinate premises management, maintenance programmes, service contracts and health and safety requirements.
• Support Principals and Senior Leaders with operational planning, reporting and resource management.
• Oversee school administration functions, educational visits, contracts, licences and insurance requirements.
• Monitor operational budgets and ensure value for money across academy services and procurement activity.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and provide professional operational leadership across multiple academy settings.

Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.

• Has experience in school operations, business management or a similar leadership role.
• Demonstrates strong organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Has a good understanding of finance, HR, compliance and operational management.
• Is confident leading teams and managing performance.
• Can work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Uses initiative, solves problems proactively and makes sound decisions.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Is adaptable, resilient and comfortable working across different school environments.
• Shares Astrea's commitment to delivering an exceptional education for every child.

In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.