Operations Manager

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage operational and administrative systems that support the effective running of the school and enable leaders and colleagues to focus on teaching, learning and student outcomes.

Act as the key local interface between the school and shared services, ensuring that IT, catering, site, finance, HR, marketing and compliance links are coordinated effectively.

Maintain accurate and compliant student information systems, including student data, attendance oversight, census activity, statutory returns, reporting processes, school calendars and administrative records.

Support safe school operations by overseeing local processes for visitors, contractors and other adults on site, first aid provision, incident logging, follow‑up activity and operational liaison with the Site Manager.

Maintain an accurate Single Central Record, oversee expiring right to work checks, support safer recruitment administration and ensure recruitment activity is conducted in line with safer recruitment practices.

Line manage the administration team, with support from the Senior Administrator where applicable, providing mentoring support and identifying training needs.

Manage front‑of‑house and school office services, including reception cover, correspondence, telephone calls, reports, confidential communication and stakeholder enquiries.

Lead administration for admissions and transition, working with local authority admissions teams, local secondary schools and feeder schools.

Support marketing and communications activity, including social media, the weekly newsletter, website compliance, local marketing objectives and work with the Head of Marketing & Communications.

Manage local finance and resource administration, including the administration budget, purchase orders, best‑value sourcing, delegated authority, Evolve trip finance checks and liaison with the Finance Business Partner.

Support HR and workforce administration, including induction plans, absence and capability processes, payroll checking, overtime and expenses checking, starters, leavers, contract variations, School Workforce Census activity and professional development review monitoring.

Act as the local GDPR contact, support data breach reporting, deal with Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests, and support compliance self‑assessments and audits with the Site Manager.

Holds NVQ Level 3 or equivalent, with a First Aid qualification and safer recruitment training, or a willingness to undertake this training.

Has experience of working in a busy, diverse environment and can manage a varied workload with competing priorities, conflicting demands and tight deadlines.

Works with strong attention to detail, reliability, flexibility and a clear sense of responsibility.

Communicates effectively in writing and verbally, and can relate appropriately to students, parents, carers, visitors, colleagues and external partners.

Can identify people’s needs quickly and respond effectively to enquiries using tact, diplomacy, confidentiality and sensitivity.

Can use administrative systems accurately, maintain accurate records and handle confidential information appropriately.

Can support compliance with relevant policies, procedures and statutory requirements, including safeguarding and statutory compliance.

Has experience or knowledge of school or education finance, HR and wider education administration, desirable but not essential.

Has Bromcom and/or PS Financials experience, desirable but not essential.

Demonstrates interpersonal and motivational skills, stamina, a sense of humour, ambition and aspiration for self and others, and a willingness to learn and develop personal skills.

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

Pension Scheme:
Generous employer contributions, with auto‑enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension…