Job title:                                 Head of Operations   
Status:                                    Permanent                              
Hours:                                     21.6 hours per week (0.6)                                          
Working weeks per year:     52 weeks per year
Grade:                                     Hay Grade 15.1 – 15.4 (£44,472 - £51,234)
Pro rata salary:                      £26,683.20 - £30,740.40
Post Start Date:                     As soon as possible                            
Closing Date:                         5th January 2026

Woodland Academy Trust is seeking a strategic and solutions-focused Head of Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping and leading operational excellence across our five primary schools. This is a highly collaborative and visible leadership position, ideal for someone who thrives on driving change, strengthening compliance frameworks, and ensuring the smooth running of Trust-wide operations.

Working closely with the CFOO and other senior leaders, you will oversee key areas including compliance, estates, governance support, health and safety, contracts, and digital systems development. You’ll lead on embedding efficient processes, championing the use of technology and data dashboards, and building strong partnerships across central and school teams.

The successful candidate should:

•         Have significant experience leading operational or compliance functions in a multi-site organisation.
•         Demonstrate a strong understanding of compliance, health and safety, governance, and data protection frameworks.
•         Be an effective leader, able to build collaborative relationships and manage staff with clarity and integrity.
•         Be confident in using technology and data systems to drive operational improvement and reporting.
•         Have excellent organisational, analytical and project management skills, with the ability to problem-solve and deliver results.
•         Have experience of working with external contractors and suppliers, ensuring value for money and quality assurance.
•         Be committed to the values of ambition, collaboration, compassion, excellence and inclusivity.
•         Ideally, bring relevant qualifications such as IOSH/NEBOSH, GDPR/Data Protection training, or CIPD.
•         Be passionate about delivering exceptional operational services that underpin the success of our schools and pupils.

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking, values-driven Trust at an exciting time in its development — making a tangible difference to how we deliver high-quality education and services for our school communities.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close this position early should a suitable candidate be found. Therefore, early application is advised.