Head of Operations for an Independent School based near Hemel Hempstead
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.
Salary is approx £60k per annum
37.5 hours per week
Discounted school fees for children
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.
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. Oversee and control the School’s in-house catering and cleaning, including periodic market testing to determine whether insourcing is the best option.
8. Oversee the School’s outsourced finance function including periodic market testing.
9. Ensure effective IT services are delivered across the School for academic and administrative functions and undertake periodic market testing to ensure continuing value.
10. Oversee the management and maintenance of the School’s transport fleet, including staff training and assessment.
11. Monitor the School’s energy consumption and develop strategies for energy conservation.
12. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Working with the Deputy Head, ensure effective management of safer recruitment for non-teaching staff through internal testing and inspection.
8. Discharge appropriately all legal and non-statutory requirements relating to the Charity.
9. Review and update all School policies for which HOO is responsible.
10. 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.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Accounting/Auditing
Industries
Staffing and Recruiting
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