School Operations Manager

Co-op Academies Trust; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Co-op Academy Medlock and Co-op Academy New Islington require a School Operations Manager to lead daily operations, health & safety compliance, building management and local HR/finance tasks across two inner-city primary academies.

You will work as a key liaison with school leadership and central Trust teams to maintain high standards, robust compliance and seamless facilities management for staff and pupils.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in school/academy administration or multi-site operations.
• Experience leading health & safety compliance and risk assessments.
• Familiar with school MIS, HR/finance admin, and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and ability to manage conflicting priorities across two sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead H&S compliance for both academy sites and manage risk assessments, RAs, and PPMS.
• Supervise contractors, monitor SLAs, and support capital projects with central Estates teams.
• Oversee operations, MIS data integrity, admissions processing, safeguarding protocols, and policy dissemination.
• Handle local HR administration, payroll compliance, sickness thresholds, and recruitment setup.

Skills

H&S & Estates

MIS experience

HR/finance administration

Contractor management

Procurement

Communication & resilience

Education

NVQ Level 3

GCSE Maths

GCSE English

CSBM desirable

Tools

MIS systems

Job description

Your Role

Are you a rigorous operational professional or school business manager ready to drive excellence across two vibrant Manchester primary academies?

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented School Operations Manager to lead and oversee daily operations, health & safety compliance, building management, and localised HR/finance administration across Co-op Academy Medlock and Co-op Academy New Islington. Serving over 800 pupils across two busy inner-city sites, from early years through to Year 6, this role is the operational backbone of our schools.

Working as a vital liaison between school leadership teams and central Trust specialists, you will ensure high standards, robust compliance, and seamless day-to-day facilities management so our teaching staff can focus on what matters most, our pupils.

Key Responsibilities

• Estates & Health & Safety Leadership: Take lead responsibility for site H&S compliance across both academy sites. Oversee risk assessments (RAs), statutory reporting, planned preventative maintenance (PPMs), fire/lockdown drills, and site supervisor line management.


• Contractors & Capital Projects: Supervise premises maintenance, manage third-party contractors, monitor cleaning/catering SLAs, and support capital project planning (SCA funding) alongside central Trust Estates teams.


• Operations & MIS Administration: Manage school reception, safeguarding protocols, MIS data integrity, policy dissemination, admissions processing, and local LA survey returns.


• Localised HR & Finance Support: Handle local HR administration (SAM People compliance, SCR maintenance, sickness thresholds, stage 1 return-to-works, and recruitment setup). Support central Finance with petty cash, purchase requisitions, Early Years funding applications, and local procurement.


• Central Trust Collaboration: Work closely in a supportive matrix structure with central Trust teams across Finance, HR, Estates, and Procurement.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven Experience: Successful track record in school/academy administration, office management, or multi-site operational coordination.


• H&S & Estates Expertise: Practical experience managing health & safety compliance, risk assessments, contractor management, and facilities/premises checks.


• Technical & Organisational Proficiency: Strong familiarity with school MIS systems, local HR/finance administration, and regulatory frameworks. Communication & Resilience: Ability to manage conflicting priorities calmly across two sites while building positive working relationships with staff, parents, and central teams.


• Qualifications: Minimum NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent experience) plus GCSE Maths & English (Grade 4–9/A–C). CSBM or School Business Management qualifications are desirable.

Why Join Us?

At Co-op Academies Trust, you are never on an island. While you lead operational delivery locally, you are backed by specialist central teams in Finance, Estates, HR, and Procurement.

• Impact: Direct operational responsibility across two thriving, multicultural city-centre primary academies.


• Growth: Dedicated continuous professional development (CPD) and clear pathways for career progression within the Trust.


• Co-op Benefits: City-centre location with excellent transport links/parking, Co-op colleague discounts, gym membership schemes, Credit Union access, and generous LGPS pension provisions.

About Us

Co-op Academy Medlock

Headteacher

[e-mail]

Wadeson Road

Manchester

Greater Manchester

M13 9UJ

Headteacher

[e-mail]

TBC

visit our website

Safeguarding Information

Co-op Academies Trust as an aware employer is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as its number one priority. This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the Trust on its behalf.

Co-op Academies Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all its employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced check by the DBS and satisfactory references. All our colleagues are expected to demonstrate a commitment to co-operative values and principles.

Key Role Information

• Salary: £35,570 - £39,481 (NJC Scale 23–27)


• Job type: Full Time


• Contract type: Permanent


• Closing: 30/09/2026 00:00


• Interview: TBC


• Contract term: AYR - All year round


• Pay grade: NJC Payscale | NJC23 - NJC27


• Department: Admin Management


• Key stage: Not Applicable


• Hours per week: 37.00


• Weeks per year: 52.143


• Visa sponsorship: No