Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is accountable for effective school-based operational leadership and administrative management within the setting. The role supports the smooth running of school operations, high-quality front-of-house and stakeholder services, effective local coordination with shared services, and professional support to the Headteacher and senior leaders where required. This is a broad operational role with responsibility for administration systems, student information, statutory reporting, finance administration, HR and recruitment administration, communications, compliance processes and line management of the administration team. The postholder acts as a key local interface between the school and shared services, including IT, catering, site, finance, HR, marketing and compliance functions. The role supports a safe, well-managed and responsive school environment through oversight of visitor and contractor processes, first aid provision, the Single Central Record, safer recruitment administration, data protection processes and local compliance activity. As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing hr@maidenerleghtrust.org or calling 0118 929 6020. 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 newslette