Head Of Operations

Head Of Operations - Rugby Head of Operations Rugby, Warwickshire 80, per annum, dependent on experience Lead Operational Excellence Across One of the UK's Most Prestigious Educational Communities

A rare opportunity has arisen to join one of the UK's most distinguished educational institutions as Head of Operations
, leading the strategic and operational delivery of catering, hospitality, facilities support services, logistics and operational excellence across Rugby School and Bilton Grange
.

This is far more than a traditional operational leadership role. We are seeking an exceptional senior leader who can combine commercial acumen, operational excellence and inspiring people leadership to create a sector‑leading operational environment that supports an outstanding student, staff and visitor experience.

Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Senior Leadership Team, House Masters and operational teams, you will set the vision, establish best‑in‑class standards and drive performance across a complex and highly visible environment.

For the right individual, there will also be opportunities to influence wider operational strategy across the broader Rugby School Group in the future.

As Head of Operations, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering a long‑term operational strategy that enhances service delivery, operational performance, stakeholder satisfaction and financial sustainability.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Setting the strategic direction for operational services across Rugby School and Bilton Grange.
• Leading multiple operational functions to ensure seamless day‑to‑day delivery across the schools.
• Creating and embedding best‑in‑class service standards and operational excellence.
• Building, developing and inspiring high‑performing leadership and operational teams.
• Driving continuous improvement, innovation and transformational change initiatives.
• Leading financial planning, budgeting, commercial performance and cost management.
• Strengthening governance, compliance, risk management and operational accountability.
• Ensuring operational services support the wellbeing and experience of students, staff and visitors.
• Acting as a visible ambassador for Lodestone House, Rugby School and the wider Rugby community.
• Building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, school leaders, staff, families, suppliers and external partners.

You will create a lasting legacy through:

• Consistently high‑performing operational services across both schools.
• A clear and sustainable operational strategy aligned to the schools' long‑term vision.
• Strong leadership capability and succession planning across operational teams.
• Simplified processes, improved efficiencies and enhanced service delivery.
• Strong governance, compliance and risk management practices.
• Financial clarity, control and long‑term value creation.
• A recognised benchmark for operational excellence within independent education.

You will be an accomplished and influential senior leader with the ability to think strategically whilst remaining connected to operational delivery.

We are particularly interested in candidates from:

• Independent education.
• Multi‑site operations.
• Facilities management.
• Hospitality and service‑led organisations.
• Contract catering.
• Complex operational environments with significant stakeholder engagement.

You will bring:

• Proven senior operational leadership experience within education, hospitality, facilities management or a related service industry.
• Strong commercial and financial management expertise.
• A track record of leading large and diverse teams across multiple functions.
• Experience delivering operational transformation and cultural change.
• The ability to influence and build…