School Operations Manager

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a School Operations Manager to join our fantastic team at MEA Central

This is a permanent post working 35 hours per week, all year round. The starting salary is £41,771 Grade 8, to start as soon as preemployment checks are complete.

MEA Central is seeking an exceptional School Operations Manager to join our team and play a pivotal role in the smooth and effective running of the school. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced operations or administration professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about supporting education.

About the Role

As School Operations Manager, you will lead the operational and administrative functions of the school, ensuring systems, processes and support services run efficiently to enable the best possible outcomes for our students.

Working closely with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team and Trust central services, you will oversee a wide range of operational areas including administration, HR processes, finance coordination, facilities liaison, data systems, and health and safety.

You will also manage the school’s support staff, ensuring teams are well organised, supported and developed to deliver high-quality operational services across the school.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Lead and manage the school’s administrative and operational support teams, including recruitment, performance management and staff development

• Develop and maintain effective administrative systems and procedures to support the day-to-day running of the school

• Coordinate key operational processes including pupil records, admissions, examinations administration and data reporting

• Provide high-level organisational and administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body

• Oversee key operational functions including staff cover arrangements, HR records, safeguarding documentation and the Single Central Record

• Work closely with Trust finance, HR, IT and estates teams to ensure efficient school operations

• Lead on operational aspects of health and safety, compliance and policy implementation

• Coordinate school communications with parents and stakeholders and support school events and calendar planning

To find out more about the full responsibilities of the role and to ensure you meet the essential criteria, please review the Job Description and Person Specification

About You

We are looking for a highly organised and motivated professional who can manage multiple priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail.

You will have:

• Significant experience managing administrative operations and leading support staff teams

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workloads effectively in a busy environment

• Experience working in a school or educational environment and knowledge of the legislative framework for schools would be advantageous

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experience managing systems, data and administrative processes

• Strong ICT skills and confidence working with multiple software systems

• Experience supporting finance processes and managing budgets or financial data

• The ability to build positive relationships with staff, parents and external stakeholders

MEA Central

MEA Central is a thriving 11-16 secondary school in South Manchester, driven by the mission, “A fantastic future for all.” We focus on removing barriers to student success, combining high expectations with warmth and encouragement. Our values of Citizenship, Achievement, and Participation, along with a belief in the power of language, help develop confident, socially responsible young adults.

We offer a challenging, knowledge-rich curriculum to prepare students for GCSEs, further education, and life beyond. Our high expectations are matched by efforts to ignite intellectual passions, fostering autonomous, fulfilled learners. Beyond academics, our exceptional pastoral care and extensive extra-curricular program ensure students gain cultural capital and succeed in areas like sport, music, drama, and community activities.

MEA Central has been graded as good by Ofsted.

"Pupils at Manchester Enterprise Academy Central are incredibly proud and happy to be a part of a diverse and respectful community. Everyone can be themselves. Pupils are considerate of one another. They do their best to model the school's core values. They strive to work hard, be kind and take part"

How To Apply

If you are an experienced, highly organised with excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and you’re passionate about helping young people succeed, we would love to hear from you! Please follow the online application process to apply, early applications are encouraged.

All school staff are expected to share the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Specific safeguarding responsibilities are detailed in the attached job description.

Working for Prospere Learning Trust

Great schools thrive because of the great people in them. We invest in our staff to achieve their full potential and offer a range of benefits including:

• High quality CPD for all roles

• Bupa Level 1 Health Plan - annual cash back allowance for a range of every day health care expenses

• Generous Pension Contribution - over 26% for teachers and over 17% for support staff

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 31 days with 5 years' service

• Cyclescheme - save up to 39% on a bike and accessories and get Strava for free

• Employee Assistance Programmes - including access to free counselling and 24/7 helplines

• Credit Union - regular savings, Christmas saving scheme and access to affordable loans

• Flexible working options - we're happy to talk flexible working where possible

• Mental Health First Aid in every school

• Blue Light Card - discounts on holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones, and many more

• bYond cashback card - spend smarter with a prepaid cashback card for your everyday purchases

Job Application Information

Please apply using the online application form; incomplete applications may not be considered. CVs are not accepted. Early applications are encouraged, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

As per Keeping Children Safe in Education, we conduct online searches on shortlisted candidates to identify any relevant issues for interview discussion. Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure declaration, declaring any relevant convictions, adult cautions or other matters which may affect your suitability to work with children. Information will be provided on where to seek guidance on whether certain offences are now protected and should not be disclosed within the self-disclosure form.

Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 all positions within the School are exempt. Therefore, we are entitled to carry out Enhanced Disclosure checks for all staff and volunteers. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relating to children.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; we do not sponsor visa applications. If you’ve lived or worked outside the UK in the last five years, additional information will be required. Job offers are contingent on satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references.

Safeguarding Commitment

All schools within the Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Equality Statement

Prospere Learning Trust values diversity and welcomes applications from all candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.

For application support, contact us on 0161 527 7953 or email jobs@prospere.org.uk