Based at: School based, 41 weeks.

Reports to: Headteacher, Office Manager

Manages: None

Liaison with: Senior Leadership Team, Middle Leaders, School Staff, Parents, External Agencies, Visitors, Central Team HR and Finance

Responsible for: Leading the front office team, managing administrative support services, ensuring a professional reception and communication environment

Budget: None

Other requirements: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974)

PURPOSE OF JOB

The Operations Lead is responsible for the effective day-to-day operational management of the school, ensuring that systems, processes and resources support high-quality teaching and learning.

The role works under the direction of the Office Manager and acts as the key operational link between the school and the Trust's Central Services Team, ensuring Trust policies, procedures and compliance requirements are implemented consistently at school level.

Key tasks and accountabilities

Note: Specific role responsibilities will be discussed and decided directly with the Office Manager.

In this role, the postholder will carry out and/or have oversight of the following specific duties:

Operational Management

Support the Office Manager in the efficient running of school operations, ensuring smooth daily functioning of administrative, site and support services.
Lead on operational planning and organisation to ensure the school environment is safe, compliant and well-resourced.
Monitor and review operational systems, identifying opportunities for improvement and efficiency.
Act as a first point of contact for operational issues within the school, escalating where appropriate.

Finance (in liaison with Central Finance Team):

Support budget management processes by monitoring expenditure, raising purchase orders and ensuring financial procedures are followed in line with Trust policies.
Work with the Central Finance Team to ensure accurate financial records, timely reconciliations and compliance with audit requirements.
Support the Office Manager and senior leaders with financial forecasting and value-for-money considerations.
Ensure staff adhere to procurement and expenses procedures.

Human Resources (in liaison with Central HR Team):

Coordinate school-based HR processes including recruitment administration, onboarding, contracts and absence monitoring in line with Trust HR procedures.
Act as a link between the school and the Central HR Team, ensuring timely communication and accurate information flow.
Support managers with operational aspects of staff management, including maintaining personnel records and compliance documentation.
Assist in implementing Trust HR policies consistently across the school.

Estates, Health & Safety (in liaison with Central Estates Team):

Oversee day-to-day site operations, ensuring the school premises are safe, secure and well-maintained.
Work with the Central Estates Team to coordinate maintenance, repairs, statutory checks and capital works.
Monitor compliance with health and safety legislation and Trust policies, supporting risk assessments and audits.

Compliance, Policies and Governance:

Ensure school-based operational practices align with Trust policies and statutory requirements.
Maintain accurate operational records and documentation for inspections, audits and internal reviews.
Support the Office Manager and Headteacher with preparation for audits, Ofsted inspections and Trust reviews.

Leadership and Collaboration

Model professional standards and promote a culture of accountability, efficiency and continuous improvement.
Work collaboratively with teaching staff, support staff and the Central Services Team to deliver high-quality operational support.
Provide operational advice and guidance to colleagues as required.

General Duties:
You will be expected to undertake any other duties and responsibilities that are commensurate with the role, as reasonably directed by the Trust or individual school leadership. This includes supporting the broader aims and priorities of the Trust and contributing to additional tasks, duties, projects, or activities as required to meet operational or organisational needs.

Other requirements: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974)

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN - SAFEGUARDING

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. We recognise that staff at our school play a particularly important role as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children to prevent concerns from escalating. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of 'it could happen here' where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child, staff members must always act in the best interests of the child.

PROTECTING OUR STAFF AND OUR RESOURCES - HEALTH AND SAFETY

Adherence to health and safety requirements, which includes proper risk management processes, is required from all staff at school in so far as this is relevant to their roles. All staff are expected to understand their responsibilities for protecting and promoting the health and safety of all children and colleagues.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Newham Community Learning has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in both its services to the community and in its employment of people, and expects all staff to understand and to promote its policies in their work.

DATA PROTECTION

UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 control how personal information is used by our Trust. Everyone responsible for handling and using personal data has to follow strict rules called 'data protection principles', which apply to any and all data concerning a living individual. An introduction to data protection is provided in our induction systems; refresher training is also provided. Staff are required to seek advice from the leadership team should they have any queries regarding the processing of personal data of fellow members of staff, children or parents.

Sarah Bonnell School jobs

Operations Lead