Operations Manager /PA to Headteacher

Saint John Henry Newman Catholic College; Failsworth; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint John Henry Newman Catholic College in Oldham, near Manchester, seeks an exceptionally organised Operations Manager / PA to the Headteacher. You will provide high-level operational and administrative support, managing critical processes and compliance across the school.

The role involves complex diary management, coordinating with senior leaders, safeguarding duties, and ensuring timely completion of actions in a busy school environment.

Qualifications

• Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent communicator with staff, parents and external stakeholders.
• Experience providing high-level administrative, PA, executive or operational support.
• Confident managing complex diaries, meetings, documentation and deadlines.
• Methodical and detail-focused with accurate record-keeping.
• Calm, professional and solutions-focused, especially under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level operational, administrative and organisational support to the Headteacher.
• Take responsibility for operational, compliance and administrative functions across the school.
• Work with the Headteacher and senior staff to ensure key systems, processes and deadlines are met.

Skills

Organisational skills

Diary management

Communication

Administrative support

Safeguarding awareness

Job description

Operations Manager / PA to Headteacher

Grade 5 Point 18-23

ACTUAL Salary: £28,365 to £30,970

36.40 hours per week , Permanent, Term time plus 5 additional days (INSET)

Mon-Fri 8:30am 4.30pm, 40-minute break

Required: As soon as possible

Are you an exceptionally organised, proactive and highly capable professional looking for a new role at the heart of a large ambitious secondary school?

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding Operations Manager / PA to the Headteacher to provide high-level operational, administrative and organisational support to the Headteacher while taking responsibility for a range of important operational, compliance and administrative functions across the school.

This is a varied and highly responsible role at the heart of school operations. The successful candidate will work closely with the Headteacher, Director of Support Services and Senior Leadership Team and colleagues across the school to ensure that key system, processes, deadlines and compliance requirements are effectively managed.

We are looking for someone who is highly organised, proactive, discreet and solutions-focused, with the ability to anticipate issue, manage competing priorities and ensure that important actions are followed through to completion.

We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities effectively
• An excellent communicator who can build strong relationships with staff, parents/carers, governors and external stakeholders
• Experienced in providing high-level administrative, PA, executive or operational support
• Confident managing complex diaries, meetings, documentation and deadlines
• Methodical and detailed-focused, with the ability to maintain accurate records and systems
• Calm, professional and solutions-focused, particularly when working under pressure
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Experience of working within and education setting would be advantageous, but we welcome applications from candidates with strong transferable experience who can demonstrate the skills, professionalism and organisational ability required for this important role.

Newman Catholic College information

Saint John Henry Newman Catholic College is an inclusive 11-16 voluntary aided school located in Oldham, ten minutes from Manchester city centre and the breath-taking Pennines. The school is situated in a modern building with state-of-the-art facilities and enjoys excellent transport links. We are blessed to represent a ‘close‑knit’, diverse and talented Catholic community that sees relationships with students and their families as integral to the success of every individual, as well as the belief that there are no limits to a child’s potential, irrespective of background.

You must be fully committed to the college vision of “Dignity and Excellence” by upholding the college's Catholic ethos and the fundamental belief that students must achieve their full learning potential.

Closing Date: 9am on Monday 5th October 2026

Emmaus Catholic Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures as outlined in Part 3 of DfE, KCSiE 2023, this includes a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced with barred list information check

In line with section 221 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 and as part of our Safer Recruitment Practices an online search will be carried out for shortlisted candidates only.

As an employer we do not offer visa sponsorship If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK.