Operations Manager

LIFE Education Trust; Tendring; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

LIFE Education Trust is recruiting an experienced Operations Manager to oversee two schools in North East Essex: Spring Meadow Primary School in Harwich and The Haefen, a specialist provision for SEMH students. The role reports to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer and covers finance, HR, site management and operations across Harwich and Manningtree.

The post is permanent, full-time (36 hours per week, 52 weeks) with a Grade 7 salary (£42,123 - £46,579) and potential recruitment/retention

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-site operations in education.
• Budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• HR, payroll, safeguarding and recruitment experience.
• Site management and compliance with health and safety.

Responsibilities

• Share our commitment to building great learning communities where children flourish.
• Lead and develop the administration, site and catering teams across both schools.
• Prepare and manage monthly budgets, forecasts and long-term budget plans, explaining variances clearly to senior leaders.
• Act as the first point of contact for HR, overseeing contracts, payroll, safer recruitment and the Single Central Record.
• Ensure both sites are safe and compliant with health and safety legislation, and manage lettings and community use.
• Identify and resolve operational challenges, streamline processes and contribute to strategic planning.
• Build strong links between LIFE Central and the schools, coordinating Trust-wide IT and marketing initiatives.

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day running of two schools in our North East Essex Hub: Spring Meadow Primary School in Harwich and The Haefen, our specialist provision for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Reporting to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer, you will lead across finance, HR, site management and operations, putting operational best practice in place and managing resources effectively so that both schools run smoothly and efficiently every day. This is a permanent, full-time role (36 hours per week, 52 weeks per year) based across Harwich and Manningtree, starting as soon as possible. The salary is Grade 7, spine points 30-34 (£42,123 - £46,579), and the post could attract a recruitment and retention allowance paid in addition to salary.

• Share our commitment to building great learning communities where children flourish
• Lead and develop the administration, site and catering teams across both schools
• Prepare and manage monthly budgets, forecasts and long-term budget plans, explaining variances clearly to senior leaders
• Act as the first point of contact for HR, overseeing contracts, payroll, safer recruitment and the Single Central Record
• Ensure both sites are safe and compliant with health and safety legislation, and manage lettings and community use
• Identify and resolve operational challenges, streamline processes and contribute to strategic planning
• Build strong links between LIFE Central and the schools, coordinating Trust-wide IT and marketing initiatives, Spring Meadow Primary School and Nursery is a successful and oversubscribed community school located in the heart of the seaside town of Harwich and we are part of the LIFE Education Trust.

Our purpose is 'to build great learning communities where children flourish' and at LIFE Education Trust we work collaboratively to ensure that everything we do can positively impact the lives of our pupils and employees. To accomplish our purpose, we use our 3 core beliefs: 'Courageous Optimism', 'Boundless Creativity' and 'Heartfelt Compassion'. We believe in helping colleagues and pupils achieve their personal best and we strive to recruit first class talent for our Trust. We are looking for individuals who share our passion for providing excellent learning environments, making our schools the best they can be and having a positive impact in the community. You will be joining an organisation that can offer you many opportunities to progress and make a real difference. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.Documents Please be aware that some uploaded documents may require special software such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

• Candidate Pack

  Our Purpose is'To build great learning communities where children flourish'and at LIFE Education Trust we work collaboratively to ensure that everything we do can positively impact the lives of our pupils and employees.

• To accomplish our purpose, we use our 3 core beliefs:'Courageous Optimism', 'Boundless Creativity' & 'Heartfelt Compassion'.We believe in helping colleagues and pupils achieve their personal best and we strive to recruit first class talent for our Trust.
• References and DBS Checks All offers of appointment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references. LIFE Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS.