Education & SEND Operations Manager in Leeds

At Spiky Profile, we exist to make a genuine, lasting impact in the world of SEND and inclusive education. We are a values-led consultancy passionate about marginalised communities, dedicated to providing high-quality support, evidence-based intervention, and technical expertise across schools, families, and Local Authorities.

We operate a high-trust, high-expectation culture where autonomy, fast-paced execution, and empathy go hand in hand.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As our Education & SEND Operations Manager, you will serve as the operational backbone of the team. Sitting squarely between technical casework and business administration oversight, you will keep our growing team structured, efficient, and focused on delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients.

Exceptional organisation and analytical precision are central to this role. You will oversee our central communication channels, coordinate schedules, and drive team momentum—ensuring critical statutory timescales, tribunal dates, and client deadlines are met without compromising on quality. You will play a hands-on role in casework preparation by compiling, formatting, and bundling complex evidence, while applying your own technical SEND knowledge when liaising directly with families, schools, and Local Authorities.

We’re a small, sleeves-rolled-up kind of team: everyone pitches in, and everyone helps shape our vision and direction. Your technical grasp, organisational tenacity, and proactive operational management will be vital in driving forward our growth, brand, and impact.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Owning Daily Operations: Take complete charge of our central communication systems. Manage main email inboxes, handle incoming calls, and run complex diary coordination for the consulting team.
• Driving Deadlines & Accountability: Monitor strict statutory timescales and project priorities, holding team members accountable to statutory and project milestones.
• Casework Preparation: Source, compile, format, and meticulously bundle complex evidence and documents for SEND casework and statutory reviews.
• Frontline Stakeholder Communication: Act as a knowledgeable, empathetic first point of contact for families, schools, and Local Authorities, navigating technical conversations with confidence.
• Quality Assurance: Be involved in quality assurance protocols of work produced by the wider team, ensuring rigour and consistency in structure and legal content.
• Future Growth & Adaptability: Pitch in wherever needed as the business scales, with readiness to step into staff management as the team expands.
• Brand & Community Advocacy: Advocate for and support the development of the Spiky Profile brand, offer, and community.
• Policy & Safeguarding Compliance: Comply with all Spiky Profile policies and protocols, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and information governance.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years’ experience working within the UK education sector, Local Authority/school SEND services, or school administration (e.g., SENCo admin, EHCP case officer, or School Business Manager).
• Robust working knowledge of the UK SEND framework and statutory guidance, specifically the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice.
• Exceptional organisation and process oversight, with a proven track record of managing daily operational systems and tracking complex deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills with superb attention to detail, experienced in assembling, formatting, and bundling large, complex digital evidence bundles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to liaise professionally, clearly, and empathetically with families, schools, and local authority officers.
• Strong digital literacy, confident using Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and cloud tools at an enhanced level.
• A degree in education, business administration, law, or a related field.
• Familiarity with large case management systems (e.g., Synergy, LiquidLogic, SIMS, Arbor).
• Experience line managing administrative staff or supervising workflow in a small team setting.

GENERAL TERMS & WORKING PATTERN

• Contract Type: 1-Year Fixed-Term Contract (with potential for extension depending on business growth). Includes a standard 3-month probationary period.
• Working Pattern: 35 hours per week FTE. We welcome conversations around flexible working patterns (including 4 or 5 days per week or compressed hours).
• Location & Hybrid Model: Based out of our North Leeds office (Chapel Allerton) , blending office presence for operational coverage and phone systems with remote working flexibility.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit your CV along with a short cover letter outlining your experience in UK education or SEND administration directly via LinkedIn or by email to hello@spikyprofile.com.

Spiky Profile Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory Enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and satisfactory references, in keeping with Safer Recruitment guidance.