Operations Manager - Harwich at Spring Meadow Primary School & Nursery

Spring Meadow Primary School; Tendring; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The LIFE Education Trust invites an experienced Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day running of two schools in the North East Essex Hub: Spring Meadow Primary School & Nursery in Harwich and The Haefen, a specialist provision for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs.

You will report to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer and oversee finance, HR, site management and catering across both sites.

Responsibilities

• 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

About this Role

LIFE Education Trust is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead theday-to-day running of two schools in our North East Essex Hub: Spring MeadowPrimary School & Nursery in Harwich and The Haefen, our specialist provision for childrenand young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Reporting tothe Trust's Chief Finance & Operating Officer, you will lead across finance, HR,site management and operations, putting operational best practice in place andmanaging resources effectively so that both schools run smoothly andefficiently 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 aspossible. The salary is Grade 7, spine points 30-34 (£42,123 - £46,579), andthe post could attract a recruitment and retention allowance paid in additionto salary.

You will:

• Share ourcommitment to building great learning communities where children flourish
• Lead and develop the administration, site and catering teams acrossboth schools
• Prepare and manage monthly budgets, forecasts and long-term budgetplans, 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 safetylegislation, and manage lettings and community use
• Identify and resolve operational challenges, streamline processesand contribute to strategic planning
• Build strong links between LIFE Central and the schools, coordinating Trust-wide IT and marketing initiatives
• Bring excellent organisation, sound judgement and a collaborative,values-led approach

The successful candidate will join a supportive and ambitious teamacross two schools with their own distinctive identities, working closely withthe Executive Headteacher, Headteachers and our central team. You will make areal difference to how our schools run, and be supported to keep developingyour skills and career within a growing Trust. The closing date is 18th November 2026. We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications. School visits are welcomed and encouraged.

Our Way of LIFE

Our Purpose is 'To build greatlearning communities where children flourish' and at LIFE EducationTrust we work collaboratively to ensure that everything we do can positivelyimpact the lives of our pupils and employees.

To accomplish our purpose, we use our 3core 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 subjectto receipt of satisfactory references. LIFE Education Trust is committed tosafeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must bewilling to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post,including checks with past employers and the DBS.

Inclusion

As a Trust, we are committed to equalityof opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality, whichsupports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusiveculture, and values diversity. We will ensure that the selection process isfair and without discrimination for or against any candidate based on age,disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy andmaternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. The personspecification sets out the criteria used to assess candidates through theselection process.

Why Choose LIFE Education Trust

For more information on why to choose LIFE, headto the website here.