School Operations Manager

We're looking for an exceptional school operations manager to join our team at Lift Clacton. This is your chance to play a central role in ensuring our school runs smoothly every day, creating the conditions where great teaching and learning can thrive.

As our school operations manager, you'll lead on all operational aspects of school life. From health and safety to admissions, from managing our front office team to coordinating school trips, you'll be the vital link between our school and our regional and central teams. You'll work closely with the principal and senior leadership team, freeing them to focus on delivering excellent education while you ensure everything behind the scenes works brilliantly.

This is a varied, fast-moving role where no two days are the same. You'll build strong relationships across the school and beyond, balancing careful planning with the flexibility to respond when things change.

Key responsibilities

You will:

• work closely with regional HR, finance, estates and IT teams to coordinate recruitment, purchasing, facilities management and technical support;
• guide health and safety compliance, data protection and catering and cleaning standards across the school;
• oversee admissions processes, school events, the school calendar and trip coordination;
• manage and support our admin team, facilities colleagues and reprographics staff;
• shape and deliver staff induction programmes and monitor completion of mandatory training; and
• manage the school's website, social media and communications with parents.

What we're looking for

You'll bring:

• GCSE maths and English (grade 4 or equivalent) and A levels or equivalent qualifications;
• operational background with skills across HR, finance, estates and IT;
• background in managing a team and building trusted relationships with colleagues and external partners;
• excellent organisational skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects calmly and effectively;
• clear communication skills and the confidence to think clearly under pressure; and
• flexibility, resilience and a proactive approach to solving problems.

You'll thrive if you enjoy working both independently and as part of a collaborative team. You'll be someone who plans ahead but adapts quickly when priorities shift. Does this sound like you?

About our school

Lift Clacton is a rapidly improving school at the heart of the community and achieved 'Good' in its most recent Ofsted inspection (June 2024). 

We believe every child deserves an excellent education, every classroom, every day. Our staff are ambitious, supportive and committed to helping every student succeed, creating a culture where colleagues are valued and encouraged to develop professionally.

Joining Lift Clacton means becoming part of Lift Schools, one of the country's largest multi-academy trusts, offering excellent professional development, career progression opportunities and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Visits to the school are warmly encouraged. For an informal discussion about the post or to arrange a visit, please email contactus@liftclacton.org

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 62 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 35,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

How we support you

We want you to feel supported, valued and able to grow throughout your career with Lift Schools. From high-quality professional development and career progression to wellbeing support and opportunities to connect and collaborate across our network, we invest in you so you can do your best work. Discover how we'll support you to thrive, develop and grow your career in the way that's right for you: How we support you.