Interim Regional Operations Manager in Chelmsford

Location: Essex Region - Based at Hylands Regional Office (Chelmsford) when required, with hybrid elements (dependent on business requirements)

Work Basis: Full-time / Flexible / Hybrid

Reporting To: Senior Regional Business Manager

Travelling: The expectation to travel to the Essex primary school in line with business requirements (Travel cost will be remunerated in line with the Trust travel policy)

Role Overview: Are you passionate about creating a supportive, thriving environment where children and people can succeed? Are you a proactive, structured, and experienced operations leader looking to make a meaningful impact across our schools? Do you excel at stabilising operations, driving operational consistency, and collaborating across multi-site environments? We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Interim Regional Operations Manager to support the Senior Regional Business Manager and oversee non-teaching, operational, and organisational processes across the region. This is a fantastic chance to be part of a vibrant department committed to our vision: 'Achieving More Together.'

Your key areas of focus will include:

• HR, Recruitment & Payroll Support: Support safer recruitment, local onboarding/offboarding, and Single Central Record (SCR) maintenance. Oversee absence monitoring, mentor front-office admin teams, audit employee lifecycle data in MIS/HR systems, and assist with payroll queries in coordination with central teams.
• Compliance & Statutory Governance: Conduct termly safeguarding and SCR audits alongside Headteachers and Directors. Support local authority (LA) and DfE statutory returns, manage secure record archiving, and uphold strict data protection (GDPR) standards.
• Local Financial Operations: Assist academy leaders and central finance with budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and procurement below tender thresholds. Oversee local Service Level Agreements (SLAs), supplier/service contracts (e.g., catering, cleaning), and explore income generation or grant opportunities.
• Estates, Facilities & Health & Safety: Collaborate with the Regional Premises Manager and central estates team to ensure school buildings and grounds are safe, compliant, and well-maintained. Coordinate logistics and contractors for site works, and oversee routine health & safety checks, risk assessments, and fire drills.
• Training & General Administration: Oversee staff training allocations, manage external audit inspection processes/action plans, maintain emergency and business continuity plans, and conduct staff performance reviews (PDRs).

We are looking for someone who has:

• Educated to degree level or with equivalent relevant experience in a similar role.
• Proven experience working within a school, academy, or educational setting is essential.
• A flexible approach to working.
• Worked in an office and/or hybrid environment.
• Must have a valid driver's licence and be willing to travel across the academies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and build strong relationships with administrative teams, Headteachers, central trust staff, and external stakeholders.
• Initiative and Self-Motivation: You need the ability to work independently, use your own initiative, and take appropriate action without needing constant supervision.
• Confidentiality and GDPR Knowledge: You must maintain confidentiality at all times and possess a strong working knowledge of GDPR to handle sensitive staff and school data securely.
• Excellent communication skills: The role requires excellent listening skills alongside effective written and verbal communication, as you will serve as a key point of contact for schools, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of HR administrative principles, payroll coordination, GDPR compliance, and safer recruitment practices.
• IT Proficiency: You are expected to be experienced with ICT systems, specifically Google Suite or MS Office, and ideally familiar with school management information systems (MIS) and accounting software.

Investing in our employees' wellbeing and career development is a priority for us, we can offer you:

• Excellent ongoing CPD, career development and vast promotion opportunities across the trust.
• A comprehensive induction programme.
• Friendly and supportive environment, where everyone is committed to a work-life balance.
• The opportunity to be part of exciting development and innovative change.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free eye tests.
• Employee Assistance Programme - free & confidential advice on a variety of subjects ranging from physical and mental health to financial help.

About TKAT: The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) is one of the largest Multi Academy Trusts in the South & East of England with 45 Primary and Secondary Academies in the TKAT Family. Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership and learning for all. Within the #oneTKATfamily, the shared and common purpose is to work together as a community of schools to ensure that every child, whatever their background, receives a high quality education.

We have a flexible approach to interviews and can offer a range of dates and times to suit your personal circumstances. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of applications.

Safeguarding: TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Flexible working: TKAT recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In TKAT we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.

Our Commitment - Equal, Inclusive, Diverse: TKAT is committed to inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity by encouraging and welcoming differences, listening to individual experiences, aspirations and accomplishments and learning how to grow better together. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of any protected characteristic.

Access to interview: Be Who You Are at TKAT - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.

About Disability Confident: Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.