At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations across multiple schools, driving excellence and compliance.
- Company: Specialist education provider focused on operational improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative environment, and real impact on student outcomes.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic educational setting.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in education while leading diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site management and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
- Operations Lead – Education (National / Multi-Site)
- National coverage | Regular travel required | Based in Billingshurst
Are you an experienced operations leader with a background in education, multi-site management, or regulated services?
We're recruiting on behalf of a specialist education provider for an Operations Lead to drive operational excellence across a portfolio of specialist schools.
This is a high-impact leadership role, working closely with Headteachers, Principals, and central support teams to improve standards, compliance, workforce performance, and financial sustainability across the group.
You'll support schools through growth, change, inspections, and improvement programmes, helping to embed robust systems and reporting frameworks division-wide.
- Leading Operational Excellence
- Partner with Headteachers and Principals on effective day-to-day operations
- Drive consistency in systems, processes, and standards across sites
- Monitor performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement
- Provide operational leadership during inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews
- Identify operational risks and implement practical solutions
- Supporting Workforce Performance
- Strengthen workforce stability and performance alongside HR teams
- Monitor recruitment, retention, and agency usage trends
- Support workforce planning, organisational reviews, and change programmes
- Ensure compliance with supervision, appraisal, and mandatory training
- Promote employee engagement, wellbeing, and best practice
- Driving Performance & Improvement
- Develop and maintain performance reporting systems and dashboards
- Analyse data across occupancy, attendance, safeguarding, behaviour, complaints, recruitment, staff turnover, training compliance, and budget performance
- Produce reports and insights for senior leadership meetings and business reviews
- Quality & Compliance
- Support compliance with Independent School Standards, inspection frameworks, and safeguarding legislation
- Coordinate compliance audits and improvement plans
- Monitor and close out actions from inspections and internal reviews
- Promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
- Leading Projects & Change
- Lead operational projects across the Education Division
- Support mobilisation of new services and expansion initiatives
- Manage project plans, milestones, and outcomes
- Identify risks and escalate barriers to delivery
- Monitor budgets and resource utilisation with school leaders
- Support occupancy growth and referral activity
- Identify efficiency and financial sustainability opportunities
- Contribute to forecasting and business review activity
What we're looking for
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience
- GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above)
- Experience working across multiple sites 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
- Ability to work independently across geographically dispersed locations
- PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification
- Experience within specialist education settings
- Working knowledge of Ofsted/Estyn inspection frameworks and Independent School Standards
Why apply
- Senior operational leadership role within a growing education division
- Salary of £60k–£65k
- Genuine influence over performance and service improvement across multiple schools
- Collaborative environment with experienced education professionals
- Real, meaningful impact on outcomes for children and young people
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Operations Lead in Billingshurst employer: Service Care Solutions
Service Care Solutions is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees within a dynamic legal environment. With a commitment to flexibility through hybrid working options, we foster a supportive culture that encourages collaboration and professional advancement, making it an ideal place for motivated individuals to thrive in their legal careers.
