Operations Manager – Independent through School

Location: Hammersmith and Fulham

Start Date: August/ September 2023

Salary: Competitive

Our client, a well-regarded independent school in Fulham is looking for an Operations Manager from August/September 2023. The School Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational aspects of The School (Pre-prep, Prep, and Senior).

The school is an independent, co-educational school that values co-education and celebrates diverse abilities across academic, creative, and sporting pursuits. Located in Hammersmith and Fulham with excellent access to public transport, the school provides a broad education that recognises and celebrates diverse abilities, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, kindness, and self-worth. They are committed to nurturing a culture that brings out the best in every student.

Responsibilities:

Office Management:

• Manage and deliver administrative support services within the school.
• Plan, develop, and monitor administrative and front office support services.
• Line manage the School Administrators and delegate relevant activities.
• Assist the HR Manager with recruitment, safeguarding, and induction processes.

Cover Manager:

• Organise and manage cover for absent staff, both teaching and non-teaching.
• Ensure continuity in teaching and learning through effective staff cover.
• Adhere to the cover policy to ensure fairness and consistency.
• Liaise with supply and recruitment agencies to engage qualified supply staff for absences.
• Coordinate the deployment of teaching and supply staff for absences and emergencies.
• Act as the main point of contact for cover-related issues.
• Monitor the cost and effectiveness of supply staff and report findings to the UK Business Manager and Leadership team.

Premises:

• Line manage the Premises team and delegate relevant activities.
• Ensure the safe maintenance and operation of all school premises.
• Maintain the availability of utilities, site services, and equipment.
• Follow sound practices in estate management and ground maintenance.
• Monitor contractors work quality and ensure their compliance with instructions.
• Provide a safe environment for stakeholders and manage ancillary services effectively.
• Manage the letting of school premises to external organisations for extended services and community requirements.

Health & Safety:

• Act as the school’s Health & Safety Co-ordinator and Fire Officer.
• Plan and maintain records of fire practices and alarm tests.
• Ensure compliance with statutory Health & Safety requirements across all sites.
• Communicate and implement the school’s health & safety policy.
• Identify and update Health & Safety training needs with the HR Manager.
• Maintain up-to-date logs for Fire, Asbestos, and Legionella.
• Establish hazard identification and risk assessment systems.
• Monitor, measure, and report health and safety issues to the Business Manager and Leadership Team.
• Maintain a secure environment aligned with the school’s ethos.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Knowledge and understanding of recent Health & Safety legislation.
• Proficiency in ICT skills, including spreadsheet usage.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Exceptional organisational and administrative skills, including effective workload management.
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality.
• Previous experience working in an educational environment.
• Ability to inspire and maintain a positive, proactive, and solution-focused attitude.
• Skill in engaging and motivating others, particularly young people.

If you feel that this would be a good fit for you, then we welcome an application from you. Please apply within or call Ella at Connaught for further details.

Connaught Education is a trading brand of Connaught Resourcing and operates as an Employment Business and an Employment Agency. We are a committed equal opportunities employer who respect and value cultural diversity. We are committed to supporting the welfare of children and young people. In support of current Safeguarding legislation we will carry out background checks and an Enhanced DBS Disclosure as part of our recruitment and selection procedures.