Operations Manager

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; St. Neots; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Longsands Academy is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead the academy's operational functions, overseeing finance, estates, health and safety, HR, compliance and business operations. This 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, permanent post is based in St Neots and offers £40,799 - £44,854 per annum.

Working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, you will build strong relationships with stakeholders, drive continuous improvement and ensure staff can focus on

Qualifications

• Significant experience in operations, business management or similar leadership roles.
• Strong financial and budget management with attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise competing demands.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and relationship building.
• Experience managing contracts, suppliers and external service providers.
• Proactive, solution-focused approach and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills with management information systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of the academy's operational functions, ensuring efficient business support.
• Oversee financial processes, monitoring budgets, expenditure and financial performance with the finance team.
• Ensure purchasing, invoicing and supplier payments are managed accurately and timely.
• Monitor contracts and service agreements for value and quality.
• Manage relationships with external providers, contractors and partners.
• Lead facilities, estates and maintenance activities with site teams.
• Oversee health and safety compliance and DBS-related requirements.
• Lead emergency planning and fire safety testing procedures.
• Support HR processes including recruitment, onboarding and payroll administration.
• Manage transport, lettings and wider operational services.
• Contribute to the extended leadership team with operational insight.
• Develop and support operational staff to maintain high performance.

Skills

Operations leadership

Financial management

Budget monitoring

Health & safety

Stakeholder management

Contract & supplier management

People leadership

IT & MIS

Job description

Operations Manager

Longsands Academy

37 hours per week | 52 Weeks Per Year | Permanent

Salary: £40,799 - £44,854 per annum

Closing Date: 11th October 2026

Do you have a proven track record of managing finance, estates, health and safety, or HR functions within a complex organisation? Are you someone who builds strong relationships, inspires teams and drives continuous improvement?

Longsands Academy is seeking an experienced, proactive and highly organised Operations Manager to join our leadership team. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled professional to oversee the academy's operational functions, ensuring that finance, estates, health and safety, HR, compliance and business operations are delivered to the highest standard. Working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in creating an environment where staff can focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students.

About Longsands Academy

Longsands Academy is a successful and ambitious secondary school located in the heart of St Neots. As part of Astrea Academy Trust, we are committed to providing an exceptional education that enables every student to learn, thrive and succeed. We combine high expectations with a strong culture of support, creating an environment where students are encouraged to develop academically, socially and personally. Our dedicated staff work collaboratively to ensure students receive the very best opportunities, and we are proud of our inclusive ethos, strong community links and commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership of the academy's operational functions, ensuring efficient and effective business support.
• Oversee financial processes, monitoring budgets, expenditure and financial performance in partnership with the Trust's finance team.
• Ensure purchasing, invoicing and supplier payments are managed accurately and within required timescales.
• Monitor contracts and service agreements, ensuring value for money and high-quality service delivery.
• Manage relationships with external providers, contractors and partner organisations.
• Lead operational aspects of the academy's facilities, estates and maintenance functions alongside site teams.
• Oversee health and safety compliance, ensuring statutory requirements are met and best practices are embedded across the academy.
• Take responsibility for emergency planning procedures, including fire safety processes and testing schedules.
• Support and oversee key HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll administration and staff absence management.
• Manage operational support services including transport arrangements, lettings and wider commercial activities.
• Contribute as a member of the extended leadership team, providing expertise and guidance on operational matters.
• Lead, develop and support operational staff to ensure high levels of performance and customer service.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience within operations, business management or a similar leadership role.
• Strong financial and budget management skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to build positive relationships at all levels.
• Experience managing contracts, suppliers and external service providers.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach with the ability to identify and implement improvements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills and confidence working with management information and financial systems.
• A commitment to safeguarding, continuous improvement and delivering excellent outcomes for young people.

Why Join Us?

At Longsands Academy, you'll join a dedicated and ambitious team working together to provide exceptional opportunities for young people. You'll play a key role in shaping the operational success of the academy while benefiting from the support, collaboration and professional development opportunities available through Astrea Academy Trust.

Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:

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.

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.

Flexible Interview Dates:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.