Interim Operations Manager

About The Company:
Our client is a respected school seeking an experienced Interim Operations Manager to join their leadership structure at a pivotal time. The school requires an operational leader who can ensure its estate, facilities and key support functions run safely, efficiently and compliantly.

The Role:
This is an immediate-start, full-time interim position, based onsite five days per week. The assignment will run on a rolling basis until December, with the possibility of an extension.

Reporting to the Academy Business Manager and working closely with the senior leadership team, you will lead operational delivery across estates, facilities, site management and capital-project activity. You will be a visible and practical leader, able to balance strategic planning with the day-to-day priorities of a busy school.

Key Responsibilities:
• Provide operational leadership across the school’s single-site estate and facilities function.
• Work closely with the SLT and trustees on operational priorities.
• Lead estates planning, including life-cycle maintenance, capacity planning and capital-improvement priorities.
• Oversee building maintenance, grounds, security, utilities, furniture, equipment and site services.
• Ensure all estates-related policies, procedures, compliance records and health and safety systems are robust and current.
• Manage the school’s relationship with contractors, consultants, service providers and external partners.
• Support and oversee capital works, including attendance at rebuilding-programme progress meetings.
• Maintain the operational risk register and develop effective business-continuity arrangements.
• Review maintenance performance and use digital systems to monitor and improve response times.

Desirable Skills:
• Extensive estate-management experience gained in a school or academy setting is essential.
• Demonstrable experience managing facilities, compliance, maintenance programmes and contractors.
• Experience of working on capital projects, rebuilding programmes or major site improvements.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to manage teams and build effective working relationships across a school.
• Commercially aware, organised and able to manage budgets, contracts and competing priorities.
• Must be available for an immediate start and able to work onsite five days per week.

Benefits:
• Competitive daily rate.
• High-profile interim role with broad operational responsibility.
• Opportunity to make an immediate impact in a busy and evolving school environment.

Register:
If this role isn’t right for you, please don’t hesitate to register with us, so that we can arrange a consultation and help you find your next career move.



Farrer Barnes Ltd does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. Farrer Barnes Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers.