Director of Operations - Fixed 16 month term

Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College is seeking to appoint a well-qualified, experienced and dynamic individual to join the Senior Management Team at our purpose-built residential Sixth Form College near Loughborough on a fixed term contract from 15th June 2020 to 31st October 2021 (earliest).

The Director of Operations (DoO) is responsible to the Principal, and plays a major role in supporting the delivery of the School’s curricular and co-curricular programmes through provision of advice and support to the Principal in the administration and management of the School including strategic planning, operational delivery, finance, HR, and Third Party use of DSFC.  He/she is also the on-site Contractual lead on all Pearson TQ (PTQ) elements of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

Welbeck DSFC is seeking a Director of Operations who will provide outstanding leadership to the College’s support staff while being a vital, strategic voice on the Senior Management Team. Working closely with the Principal and Vice President of Pearson TQ, the DoO will work to deliver the College’s strategy, manage day-to-day operational aspects and take a leading role in the closure of the College which takes place in Summer/Autumn 2021.   

The College is seeking a candidate with a breadth of experience, capable of providing inspiring leadership to a diverse team. Candidates will have significant management and strategy experience, not necessarily gained in a school context but certainly within a complex organisation with numerous stakeholders; for example, experience of military leadership at command level.  They will have strong financial management credentials, drive and determination to deliver innovative solutions, and excellent communication skills underpinned by empathy, flexibility and a collaborative approach.

A job description and person spec is attached.

Overview 

Welbeck – The Defence Sixth Form College is a co-educational full boarding establishment, where the majority of students are funded by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) under the Defence Technical Officer and Engineer Entry Scheme (DTOEES) with a parental contribution for maintenance only, calculated on a means tested basis.  It offers an A level education to preselected students following a career as technical or engineering officers within the Armed Forces (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) or the MOD Civil Service (Defence Equipment and Support, DE&S).  

In March 2019, the MOD announced that the College will close in the summer of 2021 after the departure of its final student intake which arrived in September 2019.  

DSFC - delivery

The College is committed to ensuring students realise their full potential through:

• inspiring each student to achieve the highest possible standards in STEM based studies, the broader curriculum and the military skills and leadership training programme;

• promoting the best habits of independent thought and learning in the pursuit of excellence so that students are equipped for university and beyond;

• fostering the core values of courage, discipline, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and selfless commitment so that students are role model citizens;

• developing students through a broad based education and a range of experiences  that challenges them to discover their strengths, recognise their weaknesses and make the most of their talents at Welbeck and beyond;

• providing supportive pastoral care that nurtures physical health, self-efficacy, emotional maturity and moral standards so that students feel safe, secure and valued; 

• building on previously identified leadership potential by developing leadership skills and personal character ready for the challenges of service life.

There is a clear focus on Mathematics and Physics, and all students are expected to take Physics to AS Level and Mathematics to A Level. Welbeck aims to provide all students with an outstanding education and the opportunity to achieve A level results that will take them to the next stage of their education or career – for the MOD students this will at university and in the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS). 

Welbeck also welcomes a small number of privately funded students – Welbeck Private Students (WPS), this represents up to ten per cent of the student population in any year.  WPS students are expected to play a full part in every aspect of the curriculum, including military and fitness training, and the same standards and expectations will apply.  There is no restriction on the range of universities or courses to which they may apply and WPS students are well equipped and prepared to continue their studies at the whole range of UK and international universities. A significant proportion of WPS students, typically 40%, will join the armed forces.

A Welbeck education is founded on moral integrity, responsibility and a genuine sense of service, which together lead to inculcating the core leadership values which are not only strong in our community, but will endure when our students leave.

Further details of the College can be found on the website: www.dsfc.ac.uk

Please apply using the College application form and send a copy of your CV and a covering letter to rachel.sykes@dsfc.ac.uk

Closing date 31 January 2020 at 12 noon.  Interviews 11 or 12 February 2020.