Operations Manager at Oak Tree School in Winnersh

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.

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 working 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.

The Ideal Candidate:

• 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, sense of humour, ambition and aspiration for self and others, and a willingness to learn and develop personal skills.

Benefits:

• Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions, with auto‑enrolment into either the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both Career Average Earning Schemes.
• Annual Leave: Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with length of service.
• ME Day: One additional day’s leave each year for a special personal event such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.
• Professional Development: Comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to attend and deliver CPD, and a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.
• Perkbox: Access to discounts and wellness resources, with 25 Perk points each month that can be exchanged for goods and services.
• Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations for all staff and free eye tests for eligible staff.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Discount vouchers, 24/7 support and more. Mental Health First Aid support.
• Recognition and Community: Regular celebration of staff achievements, milestones and contributions. Employee Referral Scheme.

Equal Opportunities & Safeguarding: Maiden Erlegh Trust is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.