School Operations Manager

Salary: NJC 28-30 + well-being cash plan + pension + additional Lift Schools benefits
Contract type: Permanent, full time
Start date: September 2025 or as soon after

An exciting School Operations Manager job opportunity for Sir Herbert Leon - voted the best Secondary School in Milton Keynes.

Your new school
Lift Schools is an ambitious MAT of 57 schools, 13 in the Midlands, and we pride ourselves on providing the best training and career progression. Part of Lift Schools, Sir Herbert Leon is an impressive secondary school who has recently been awarded the Milton Keynes best Secondary School of the Year, a huge achievement for the school, staff, students and parents. The school is led by Damian McGeehin, an ambitious and dedicated Acting Principal who has played a vital role in the school receiving 'good' in all areas by Ofsted, where it was regonised that the 'culture has completely changed to one where pupils are expected to achieve the best they can' and the school 'promotes a strong and close community'. It's an exciting time to join as we look to recruit a School Operations Manager and we' would be delighted if you applied.

Your new role
This is an exciting and varied School Operations Manager where you will lead on all elements of school operations, thereby allowing the Principal and the Senior Leadership Team to focus on the delivery of an excellent education to the students. The School Operations manager is the conduit between the school and the central / regional team, ensuring an effective relationship and the smooth handoff of all operational processes between the two. This role will report into the Principal and have a direct line into the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the ongoing operational effectiveness of the school.

What you'll need to succeed
You will be able to build strong and trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, have excellent organisational skills, and the ability to deal with multiple projects on an ongoing basis. You will be proactive with advanced planning and forward thinking, work in a fast paced environment and adapt to changing priorities. You will ideally have an operational background with some level of expertise in HR, Finance, Estates, IT.

Who is Lift Schools?
We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools. As with our pupils, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We offer you:
Comprehensive training: Access to some of the best developmental training to boost your career.
Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

Please don't wait until the closing date to apply as we will review applications as we receive them.

Closing date: Monday 18th August
Interview date: Friday 22nd August

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.
Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.