Two-School Operations Lead (Finance, HR & Safety)

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

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