Operations Lead – Education

Location: Billingshurst, West Sussex | National/Multi-Site Travel Required
Salary: £60,000 – £65,000 per annum
Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Recruiter: Service Care Solutions

Service Care Solutions is recruiting an experienced and ambitious Operations Lead to join an Education Division supporting a portfolio of specialist schools across the UK.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an operational professional who can work strategically with Headteachers, Principals and central support teams to drive operational excellence, improve performance and ensure schools deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people.
The role will provide strategic and operational support across multiple sites, helping schools maintain high standards of quality, compliance, workforce performance and financial sustainability.

 

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Partner with Headteachers and Principals to support effective day-to-day operations.
• Drive consistency across operational systems, processes and standards.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support schools through growth, change and development.
• Provide operational leadership during inspections, audits and regulatory reviews.
• Identify and manage operational risks.

Workforce Performance

• Work with school leaders and HR teams to strengthen workforce stability and performance.
• Monitor recruitment, retention and agency usage.
• Support workforce planning, organisational reviews and change programmes.
• Ensure compliance with supervision, appraisal and mandatory training.
• Promote employee engagement, wellbeing and best practice.

Performance & Improvement

• Develop and maintain performance reporting systems and dashboards.
• Analyse management information and provide insight-led recommendations.
• Monitor KPIs including occupancy, attendance, safeguarding, behaviour, complaints, recruitment, retention, staff turnover, training compliance, budget performance and school improvement actions.
• Produce reports and insights for senior leadership meetings.
• Support leaders to deliver measurable improvements.

Stakeholder Engagement

You will build strong relationships with Headteachers, Principals, Education Leadership Teams, HR, Finance, Quality & Compliance, Business Development teams and external partners.

About You

We are looking for a proactive and experienced operational leader who can influence stakeholders, analyse performance and drive improvement across multiple locations.
Essential:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above.
• Experience working across multiple sites and with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience supporting leaders within regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance, compliance and performance improvement.
• Experience analysing management information and performance data.
• Proven project management and change implementation experience.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently across geographically dispersed locations.

Knowledge & Expertise:

• Understanding of Independent School Standards.
• Knowledge of Ofsted/Estyn inspection frameworks.
• Understanding of safeguarding requirements within education.
• Experience with workforce planning and HR processes.
• Knowledge of health and safety compliance.
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection requirements.

Desirable:

• PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Experience within specialist education settings.

What's on Offer?

• £60,000 – £65,000 salary
• Senior leadership role within a growing education division.
• Opportunity to influence performance across multiple schools.
• Professional development and career progression.
• Collaborative environment with experienced education professionals.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on outcomes for children and young people.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced Operations Lead, Operations Manager, Regional Operations Manager or Senior Operational Professional with a passion for improving education services and driving excellence, we would love to hear from you.
To apply or discuss the role further, contact Charley Wilson at Service Care Solutions:
📧 Charley.Wilson@servicecare.org.uk