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.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure everyone can perform at their best when applying to work with us. If you need any support with your application or adjustments during the selection process, please contact our People Team by emailing hr@maidenerleghtrust.org or calling 0118 929 6020.

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 work 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.

Further details of responsibilities and requirements can be found in the Job Description and Person Specification.

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

About Maiden Erlegh Trust

Maiden Erlegh Trust is a growing community of schools across Berkshire and Oxfordshire, working together to deliver the best possible education for every child and young person. With around 750 staff and 4,500 students across nine schools, including primary, secondary, special, and alternative provision, we are proud of the diversity that shapes our expertise.

We Aim High, Be Inclusive, and Work Together. These values drive our focus on high-quality education for all, through collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, colleagues access high-quality professional learning at every stage of their career, supported by mentoring, leadership opportunities, and our annual MET Staff Conference—a day that unites our whole team in sharing best practice and learning.

Joining our Trust means being part of a community that invests in people and values expertise; it is about playing a direct role in shaping the lives and outcomes of young people.

You can learn more about working with us and hear from colleagues across our Trust by clicking here to visit our website.

About Oak Tree School

Newly opened in September 2023, Oak Tree School, based in Winnersh, Reading, is an exciting collaborative project which will provide a safe and happy learning environment for 150 learners from Year 1 to Year 13, with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for Autism Spectrum Conditions and associated complex needs, including Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and/or Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

These children and young people have boundless potential so, at the heart of Oak Tree School’s provision, will be a rich and stimulating curriculum, specialist personal development education and targeted therapeutic programmes delivered by talented and specialist staff.

The impetus for this project has been a partnership between Brighter Futures for Children, Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council as part of their commitment to providing additional special school places for local children close to their own communities. 

Community, inclusion and respect are key Maiden Erlegh Trust values and they underpin our vision for Oak Tree School. As the project progresses, we will continue work with our partners and listen to parents and children to realise our vision. Only in this way can we meet the needs of every child and help each one to reach their potential.

Linked to our community values, the school will also offer a range of outreach programmes to support SEND pupils in mainstream schools.

We have developed a Trust wide Special & AP Hub, providing opportunities to connect with staff members in our specialist settings, where we collaborate, learn and innovate together. The mission is to enhance the quality of education and support we provide to students with diverse needs. We encourage open communication, empathy, and respect, at all levels, as we believe that a supportive and inclusive atmosphere is essential for growth and development. 

Benefits

Further information about working at Maiden Erlegh Trust can be found on our website here. Staff wellbeing and professional development are central to how we work, and colleagues across our Trust benefit from a range of opportunities and schemes designed to recognise their contribution and support their growth.

• 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: We offer a generous holiday entitlement, which increases with length of service.

• ME Day: Colleagues may request one additional day’s leave each year to attend a special personal event, such as a child’s sports day or graduation, or a family celebration.

• Professional Development: We offer a comprehensive programme of professional learning through the Maiden Erlegh Institute, including opportunities to both attend and deliver CPD. Colleagues also take part in our annual Conference, a full day of workshops, networking and learning for all staff.

Colleagues can also access a range of professional development opportunities using Apprenticeship Levy funding, and benefit from professional development networks.

• Perkbox: Colleagues have access to Perkbox, which offers a wide range of discounts and wellness resources and receive 25 Perk points each month which can be exchanged for goods and services.

• Wellbeing and Health: Free flu vaccinations are offered to all staff, and free eye tests are provided to those who are eligible.

• Employee Assistance Programme: Incorporating discount vouchers, access to 24/7 support and more.

• Mental Health First Aid support.

• Recognition and Community: We regularly celebrate staff achievements, milestones and contributions across our schools, reinforcing a strong sense of belonging within the #TeamMET community.

• Employee Referral Scheme.

Working for our Trust means contributing to something larger by supporting the education and life chances of children and young people every day.

Additional Information 

If you believe this is an environment where you can thrive, develop and make a meaningful contribution to the future of our Trust and its schools, please contact recruitment@maidenerleghtrust.org for an informal discussion.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert and interview at any time.

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.