Senior Operations LeadEDV/2026/MOCS/40186

Southwold Primary School; Melksham; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Pension Scheme

Discounts on holidays, clothing and so

Job summary

Melksham Oak Community School, part of The White Horse Federation, seeks an experienced Senior Operations Lead to oversee non-teaching functions and drive efficient, compliant operations. You will lead professional services, coordinate support functions, and partner with central Trust teams to enable outstanding educational outcomes; strong leadership and change-management skills are essential.

Contract: permanent, 37 hours per week, all year round; salary: Hay Q Lower points 29-33 (£41,177.45 -

Qualifications

• Experienced and proactive operational leader.
• Strong knowledge of compliance, health and safety, facilities, finance or administrative functions.
• Excellent organisational, planning and project management skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional operational leadership across the school and Trust.
• Oversee professional services and coordinate support functions.
• Drive compliance and efficient service delivery to support educational outcomes.
• Lead change and continuous improvement across non-teaching functions.

Skills

Operational leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Project management

Compliance knowledge

Job description

About This Role

Senior Operations Lead

Salary: Hay Q Lower points 29-33 (£41,177.45 - £45,529.48 actual salary)

Hours: 37 hours per week, all year round (would consider term-time plus two weeks (41 weeks) if required)

Contract: Permanent

About The White Horse Federation

The White Horse Federation is a large Multi-Academy Trust in South West and South East England, committed to providing the very best education for our students. We believe in empowering our staff to be the very best they can be, which is why you will find a wide range of professional development opportunities available when you join us.

About Melksham Oak Community School

Melksham Oak Community School is a large, thriving 11-18 secondary school where students of all abilities, aptitudes and social backgrounds are nurtured, encouraged and challenged to achieve their very best. In our most recent Ofsted inspection, the school was rated GOOD in all areas, reflecting the dedication, ambition and commitment of our staff and wider school community.

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Senior Operations Lead to provide exceptional operational leadership across our school. You'll oversee professional services, coordinate support functions, and work closely with colleagues both within the school and across the wider Trust to deliver efficient, compliant and high-quality operations that support our strategic ambitions and educational outcomes. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key strategic role in the life of the school, leading all non-teaching functions and ensuring the effective delivery of operational services. Acting as the vital link between the school and central Trust teams, you will drive excellence in service delivery, compliance and operational effectiveness, helping to create the conditions for students and staff to thrive. If you are a collaborative leader with a passion for operational excellence and a commitment to supporting outstanding educational outcomes, we would love to hear from you. Join us and play a key role in shaping the future success of Melksham Oak Community School.

All About You

You will be a highly organised and proactive operational leader with experience of managing a range of business and support functions within a complex organisation. With excellent communication and relationship-building skills, you will be confident working collaboratively with colleagues at all levels, acting as a trusted link between school teams and central services. You will bring strong organisational and problem-solving abilities, enabling you to manage competing priorities, drive continuous improvement and ensure that high standards of compliance and service delivery are maintained. You will be comfortable leading teams, influencing others and embedding efficient processes that support the smooth running of the school. Most importantly, you will share our commitment to providing the very best environment for students and staff, recognising that outstanding operational support plays a vital role in delivering exceptional educational outcomes.

We Would Particularly Welcome Applications From Candidates Who Have

• Experience in operations, business management or professional services leadership
• Strong knowledge of compliance, health and safety, facilities, finance or administrative functions
• Excellent organisational, planning and project management skills
• The ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• A proactive, solution-focused approach and the confidence to lead change and drive improvement
• A commitment to supporting a culture of high expectations, inclusion and excellence

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious professional to make a real impact within a successful and growing school community.

Why Work for Us?

You’ll Become Part Of a Welcoming And Supportive Community Where Both Staff And Students Are Encouraged To Thrive. Here’s What Makes Us a Great Place To Work

• A warm, inclusive culture built on strong values, mutual respect and a genuine commitment to staff and student wellbeing
• Dedicated and passionate colleagues who work collaboratively to help every young person achieve their potential
• Positive, motivated students who are eager to learn and engage in school life
• A supportive leadership team that values and invests in its staff
• Excellent professional development opportunities through The White Horse Federation, providing access to high-quality training, shared expertise and a strong network of schools

Join us and be part of a team making a real difference to the lives of young people every day.

Come and See Us

Why not come and see for yourself? We would love to welcome you to our school and show you around so that you can better understand our school environment. Please get in touch with the school office to arrange a visit.

The Advantages of Joining Our Federation

In addition, our employees reap the rewards of a competitive benefits package, including:

Wellbeing and Benefits

• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Menopause Support Network
• Discounts on holidays, clothing and much more
• Discounts for Teachers
• Blue Light Card Discount
• Eye Care Vouchers

Development

• Access to up-to-date safeguarding and child protection training
• Ongoing updates on statutory safeguarding guidance and legislation
• Comprehensive CPD Programme
• Supportive leadership team to help you reach your full potential

Pension and Leave

• Excellent Pension Scheme*
• Employer contributions above national standards
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
• An additional White Horse concessionary day's leave each year

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

The White Horse Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful for this role, you will be expected to apply for a disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service before an appointment is confirmed. Please note that references will be sought on shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

The White Horse Federation values uniqueness and recognises the benefit of having a diverse workforce. We value the contributions of all staff from a wide range of backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that everyone should be treated with fairness and respect and share a commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across all of our schools. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and operate a fair recruitment process, free from discrimination against protected characteristics, in line with the Equality Act 2010.