Trust Operations Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Coalville; Presencial; GBP 50.000 - 80.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Local Government Pension Scheme

Sickness and parental leave schemes

26–31 days annual leave + bankholidays

Agile on-site working (min 3 days on‑&

Employee Wellbeing resources

CPD framework & access to professional

Descripción de la vacante

The Challenge Academy Trust is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead Trust-wide service improvements, manage contracts and suppliers, and drive procurement and projects across multiple sites. The role requires travel between Trust sites and may include evening meetings.

You will line-manage the Central Trust Catering Supervisor and support the Health & Safety framework, with a focus on delivering measurable benefits and ensuring compliance across the network.

Formación

• Degree or recognised professional qualification in operational management, project management, procurement, H&S or a related field, or willingness to work towards one.

Responsabilidades

• Lead Trust-wide operational improvement, analysing performance, setting priorities, redesigning workflows and holding teams to account for change
• Maintain and develop the Operational Excellence framework, reviewing findings and advising the Operations Director on priorities and resources
• Manage allocated contracts and suppliers, including Trust-wide catering, running performance reviews and agreeing corrective action
• Lead procurement within delegated authority under public procurement rules, from options appraisal to handover
• Plan and deliver operational projects from initiation to close, managing plans, budgets, risks and benefits
• Support the Health & Safety Coordinator on allocated parts of the H&S system, including audits, training and compliance monitoring
• Produce management information and reports for senior leaders, trustees and auditors
• Build working relationships with academy leaders, suppliers and partners
• Line-manage the Central Trust Catering Supervisor, setting objectives and supporting development

Conocimientos

Digital literacy

MS 365

Analytical thinking

Project management

Educación

Degree or professional qualification in operational management, procurement, H&S or related field

Descripción del empleo

The role sits in the central operations team of The Challenge Academy Trust, reporting to the Operations Director. It leads Trust-wide service improvement, manages contracts and suppliers including catering, runs procurement and delivers operational projects from start to close. It also line-manages the Central Trust Catering Supervisor and covers several academy sites, so travel and some evening meetings are expected. Visa sponsorship is not available, and the start date is January 2027.

What the job involves

• Lead Trust-wide operational improvement, analysing performance, setting priorities, redesigning workflows and holding teams to account for change
• Maintain and develop the Operational Excellence framework, reviewing findings and advising the Operations Director on priorities and resources
• Manage allocated contracts and suppliers, including Trust-wide catering, running performance reviews and agreeing corrective action
• Lead procurement within delegated authority under public procurement rules, from options appraisal to handover
• Plan and deliver operational projects from initiation to close, managing plans, budgets, risks and benefits
• Support the Health & Safety Coordinator on allocated parts of the H&S system, including audits, training and compliance monitoring
• Produce management information and reports for senior leaders, trustees and auditors
• Build working relationships with academy leaders, suppliers and partners
• Line-manage the Central Trust Catering Supervisor, setting objectives and supporting development

Qualifications

• Degree or recognised professional qualification in operational management, project management, procurement, H&S or a related field, or willingness to work towards one

Experience

• Substantial applied experience in a multi-site organisation
• Proven track record managing complex operational services across multiple sites, including service improvement, contract performance and H&S assurance
• Strong experience delivering multi-stakeholder projects, including responsibility for plans, budgets, risks and benefits realisation

Skills & knowledge

• High digital literacy, confident with Microsoft 365 and presenting management information
• Excellent planning, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work with limited supervision and elevate appropriately

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check
• Documentary evidence of the right to work in the UK
• Satisfactory references, qualifications and experience checks
• Medical clearance
• Social media checks

Other

• Willingness and ability to travel between Trust sites and to work flexibly, including occasional evening meetings
• Understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Nice to have

• Recognised qualification in operational excellence, process improvement, project management or H&S
• Direct experience of procurement and public sector tendering

What's offered

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Occupational sickness and parental leave pay schemes
• Minimum 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays
• Agile working, minimum 3 days a week on site, subject to work commitments
• TCAT+ platform with retailer discounts, discounted healthcare cash plan, EV lease car scheme, cycle to work scheme and wellbeing resources
• Employee Assistance Programme delivered through Schools Wellbeing
• Comprehensive CPD framework through Education Connect and online resources from the National College
• Access to professional qualifications