Operations Manager

We are seeking to successfully appoint an individual who is able to demonstrate the characteristics required to lead a number of different teams in ensuring that the school operates effectively and efficiently. The role demands strong organisational and people management skills, alongside an ability to prioritise and manage their own workload and that of their teams. The Operations Manager will be directly responsible for the Premises Manager, Network Manager, Community Sports Centre Manager, Catering Manager, Office Manager and the Administration Team. This is a challenging and demanding role, which requires an ability to remain calm, act in a professional manner and maintain high standards.

The Operations Manager will report directly to the Headteacher, and is one of the school’s leading support staff professionals. They would be expected to effectively work in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team and wider Trust colleagues. The postholder will lead and manage the school’s day to day resources which includes it’s facility, property, health and safety, ICT, catering and other administrative services. They will be accountable in managing all aspects of the resources in these areas, from the people, diverse projects, preparation of management information and monitoring of performance against targets.

What we are looking for: 

• Experience of working in a management position (preferably in a school setting) 
• Experience in estate/operations management, including ICT and Health & safety 
• Experience of planning and managing multiple projects, with a clear commitment to review and monitoring, including evaluation strategies 
• Successful experience of working with a range of stakeholders (e.g trustees, governors) and an appreciation and understanding of their role 
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop successful working relationships and to deal with a range of sensitive and/or contentious situations

Plymstock School is a large non-selective secondary school that continues to be successful. We remain a popular choice with parent/carers and continue to be oversubscribed. Plymstock is a suburb of Plymouth and lies approximately three miles to the east of the city. It is within easy access of the A38, and teachers commute from Cornwall, Dartmoor and the South Hams.

Plymstock School is part of the Westcountry Schools Trust. We are a tight-knit family of schools, who share the same vision of every child in a great school. Our mission is to empower children to impact positively on society through our values of collaboration, aspiration, integrity and compassion, yet we still retain our own individual school identity.

Why work at Plymstock School?

The school community is a vibrant, unique and special place to work. Our vision is to achieve excellence through our curriculum and culture. We offer an ambitious, inclusive and broad curriculum for all our students, which is focused on giving them the knowledge and skills to be able to discover and develop their talents. We focus on a collaborative approach, where staff establish and maintain the highest standards and expectations for every child, regardless of starting point, background or circumstance. Our aim is to ensure that in every classroom our students experience consistent and highly effective teaching and learning approaches.

Relationships between staff and students are a real strength of the school. Our staff are experts within their subject disciplines. We expect students to do well in all their subjects. We have a centralised behaviour support system, which focuses on minimising low level disruption within the classroom, so that teachers have the conditions and environment to teach and for students to learn.

Our school community welcomes applications from individuals who are able to demonstrate the following characteristics:    

• Committed to working with children and young people as a vocation or calling rather than just a job.    
• Holds the belief that improvement is continuous and that we can always learn more with the aim of getting better.
• Endeavours to go the extra mile for all of our children and young people.
• Is a role model to others and understands the importance of strong and supportive working relationships.
• Is willing to work in collaboration to co-construct solutions and ideas in overcoming challenges and problems.   
• Is able to adapt to new ideas and approaches and pursue opportunities to continuously improve the quality of education for all.

If you are able to demonstrate these characteristics and want to join a team that is focused, committed and passionate in making a difference, we look forward to receiving your application.

Application forms should be submitted to recruitment@plymstockschool.org.uk

Closing date: 9am Monday 12 June 2023

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure is required for this post.