School Operations Manager in Manchester

Are you a rigorous operational professional or school business manager ready to drive excellence across two vibrant Manchester primary academies? We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented School Operations Manager to lead and oversee daily operations, health & safety compliance, building management, and localised HR/finance administration across Co-op Academy Medlock and Co-op Academy New Islington. Serving over 800 pupils across two busy inner-city sites, from early years through to Year 6, this role is the operational backbone of our schools.

Working as a vital liaison between school leadership teams and central Trust specialists, you will ensure high standards, robust compliance, and seamless day-to-day facilities management so our teaching staff can focus on what matters most, our pupils.

Key Responsibilities

• Estates & Health & Safety Leadership: Take lead responsibility for site H&S compliance across both academy sites. Oversee risk assessments (RAs), statutory reporting, planned preventative maintenance (PPMs), fire/lockdown drills, and site supervisor line management.
• Contractors & Capital Projects: Supervise premises maintenance, manage third-party contractors, monitor cleaning/catering SLAs, and support capital project planning (SCA funding) alongside central Trust Estates teams.
• Operations & MIS Administration: Manage school reception, safeguarding protocols, MIS data integrity, policy dissemination, admissions processing, and local LA survey returns.
• Localised HR & Finance Support: Handle local HR administration (SAM People compliance, SCR maintenance, sickness thresholds, stage 1 return-to-works, and recruitment setup). Support central Finance with petty cash, purchase requisitions, Early Years funding applications, and local procurement.
• Central Trust Collaboration: Work closely in a supportive matrix structure with central Trust teams across Finance, HR, Estates, and Procurement.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven Experience: Successful track record in school/academy administration, office management, or multi-site operational coordination.
• H&S & Estates Expertise: Practical experience managing health & safety compliance, risk assessments, contractor management, and facilities/premises checks.
• Technical & Organisational Proficiency: Strong familiarity with school MIS systems, local HR/finance administration, and regulatory frameworks.
• Communication & Resilience: Ability to manage conflicting priorities calmly across two sites while building positive working relationships with staff, parents, and central teams.

Qualifications: Minimum NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent experience) plus GCSE Maths & English (Grade 4-9/A-C). CSBM or School Business Management qualifications are desirable.

Why Join Us?

At Co-op Academies Trust, you are never on an island. While you lead operational delivery locally, you are backed by specialist central teams in Finance, Estates, HR, and Procurement.

Impact: Direct operational responsibility across two thriving, multicultural city-centre primary academies.
Growth: Dedicated continuous professional development (CPD) and clear pathways for career progression within the Trust.
Co-op Benefits: City-centre location with excellent transport links/parking, Co-op colleague discounts, gym membership schemes, Credit Union access, and generous LGPS pension provisions.