The Head of Operations (HOO) is a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) position reporting to the Head and the trustees. HOO is responsible for the effective management of resources and non-teaching staff providing a high quality of service to staff, pupils and parents. The role will develop and drive the infrastructure and operations strategy required to support the School by effective management and delivery of non-educational support services. HOO also has an overseeing role to monitor the performance and act as the point of contact for the School’s outsourced finance function.
Key responsibilities
Strategy and planning
1. Work with SLT to deliver the strategic plan and budget.
2. Prepare the annual budget, including capital expenditure, with support from finance.
3. Develop a medium to long term capital expenditure programme, also using professional advisers to develop a 10 year preventative maintenance plan for all buildings.
4. When required, in conjunction with professional advisers, develop specifications for building projects.
5. Ensure all budgets are managed effectively in line with the School’s needs.
6. Ensure that there are adequate controls in place to prevent fraud.
7. Procure, award and manage contracts to external suppliers, ensuring delegation of power, contract limits and authorisations are carried out in line with the Finance manual.
Operations
1. Overall responsibility for the delivery of day-to-day non-educational operations, building strong professional teams and a culture of continuous improvement.
2. Ensure operations team leaders (catering, cleaning and facilities) are given responsibility to manage their teams and their budgets to achieve their own goals and targets.
3. Where appropriate, agree KPIs to monitor team performance (catering, cleaning and facilities).
4. Continue improvement of the Estate through effective maintenance and periodic updating of the School’s buildings survey.
5. Explore and implement new and innovative strategies to diversify income streams which contribute to the School’s financial position.
6. Act as point of contact for finance issues with parents and staff.
7. Follow up with parents on unpaid fees. Manage debt recovery service and decisions.
8. Point of contact for all staff budget/procurement questions.
9. Ensure collation of all requisite data from staff for the production of the accounts.
10. Oversee and control the School’s in-house catering and cleaning, including periodic market testing to determine whether insourcing is the best option.
11. Oversee the School’s outsourced finance function including periodic market testing.
12. Ensure effective IT services are delivered across the School for academic and administrative functions and undertake periodic market testing to ensure continuing value.
13. Oversee the management and maintenance of the School’s transport fleet, including staff training and assessment.
14. Monitor the School’s energy consumption and develop strategies for energy conservation.
15. Identify opportunities for cost reduction in procurement from bulk or forward buying.
Staffing
1. Line management of direct reports.
2. Recruitment of all operations staff with support from team leaders.
3. Setting roles and responsibilities, agreeing annual objectives and completing annual reviews for all operations staff with support from team leaders.
4. Ensure appropriate training and development is in place for all non-educational operations staff.
Compliance and risk management
1. Lead the preparation for inspections across all non-educational operations and respond to issues raised in an inspection to maintain compliance with the Independent Schools Standards Regulations. This should include estates and health and safety.
2. Ensure there are effective risk management plans in place, including business continuity and contingency planning, to enable the School to respond effectively to crises or extraordinary situations.
3. Working with the Deputy Head, ensure effective management of safer recruitment for non-teaching staff through internal testing and inspection.
4. Discharge appropriately all legal and non-statutory requirements relating to the Charity.
5. Review and update all School policies for which HOO is responsible.
6. Lead and manage health and safety in the School. Responsible for appointing an external “expert person” to ensure we demonstrate best practice in health and safety management.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
The person
The successful candidate will have proven experience of managing a multi-faceted organisation and a demonstrable ability to lead and develop a diverse team. You might be an existing Bursar looking for a more focused challenge. You will be able to plan and deliver projects, prioritise tasks and allocate finite resources. You will be decisive and capable of communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
You will demonstrate the following attributes: (E - Essential), (D - Desirable)
Experience
1. Proven capacity to contribute strategically to the wider organisation whilst retaining a strong grasp of operational detail - E
2. Demonstrable leadership experience, including management and development of staff - E
3. Experience of managing support services and major projects - E
4. Educated to degree level or equivalent - D
5. Experience of working in a school - D
Knowledge and skills
1. Knowledge of Health and Safety and related compliance regulations - D
2. A full driving licence - D
Personal attributes
1. Ability to lead by example and empower others to work effectively towards a common purpose - E
2. Ability to work both independently and as a team member, with a purposeful and collegial leadership style - E
3. Capable of communicating and relating with a wide range of people, both within the School and outside - E
4. A flexible yet results oriented approach to work with the ability to manage a significant and varied workload - E
5. Willingness to take on occasional duties outside normal working hours - E
6. Willingness to be involved in the wider life of the School - D
7. Understanding and empathy with the ethos of Lockers Park School - E
8. Meticulous and thorough in being “Inspection Ready” at any time - E
Terms and conditions
A competitive salary will be available. Salary progression will be subject to an annual performance review.
This is a full time year round post. The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday) with additional hours from time to time to meet the demands of the role. Some evening and weekend duties may be required.
Annual leave is 25 days per annum, plus statutory bank holidays, to be taken with the prior agreement of the Head.
After completion of 6 months’ probation, the post holder will be eligible to join the defined contribution administrative pension scheme.
Lunch is available within the School during term time and there is usually ample parking on the premises.
After completion of 6 months’ probation, the post-holder will be eligible to apply for discounted school fees for any boys who may attend the School.
Please complete and submit the attached Editable Application Form Non Teaching 2018 in full and return this with a covering letter, setting out your interest in the role and your relevant experience. If you wish you can also submit your CV along with the completed application form. All applications should be emailed to: headmaster@lockerspark.co.uk.
Our target start date for this role is 31st March 2025. However we recognise that this may not give you sufficient time to give notice to your existing employer. If you are unable to start on the target date, please don't consider this a problem for your application. We will consider all applications which can only start at a later date.
Interviews will be conducted in person in February. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to meet with relevant trustees on the governing body.
The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. A copy of the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available for download from the School’s website (lockerspark.co.uk).
Job Summary
02/02/2025
Location:
Hemel Hempstead
Competitive
Lockers Park School
Lockers Park Lane
Hemel Hempstead
Herts
HP1 1TL
England
http://www.lockerspark.co.uk
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