Job Overview
The Operations Lead (OL) holds a key post of senior responsibility within the school. Reporting directly
to the Principal, the OL has responsibility for leading and managing the school’s operational functions,
ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of non-teaching aspects of the school. The OL plays a key role
in supporting strategic planning and compliance while enabling staff and students to thrive in a safe,
efficient, and well-organised environment.. There is an expectation of the post holder to act with a high
degree of autonomy including responsibility for managing delegated budgets and resources.
Hours 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Salary £35,000 - £38,000 Per Annum, Dependant on Experience
Job Responsibilities
Leadership and Management
• Lead and oversee the delivery of all non-educational operational services including administration,
finance, HR, premises, catering, and transport. Ensuring you are working in line and with the
support of the central teams in these areas.
• Ensure an effective link between the school budget plan and the school development plan to
achieve sustainable school improvement
• Ensure the school makes the best possible use of resources through effective planning, considering
all financial and other resource implications
• Lead in the training and personal development of financial, health and safety, administrative
and premises staff in areas of compliance.
• Lead on Performance Management of finance, administration, premises and catering staff
• Plan for and implement new initiatives as appropriate for the school
Finance and Resources
• Ensure finance policy and procedures are followed at all times
• Support the annual budgeting process ensuring all relevant parties at site are included so
that budgets are realistic, cover all likely expenditure and highlight any new or expected
expenditure.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all grant funding, including detailed
allocation and expenditure tracking for ring-fenced funds such as Pupil
Premium and the School Condition Allowance.
• Prepare and submit all required financial returns for authorised external agencies in a timely and
accurate manner.
• Ensure that formal and compliant finance agreements are in place for all suppliers, in line with
company procedures and procurement guidelines
• Monitor and manage spending against the agreed budget to ensure cost-effectiveness and achieve
value for money.
• Raise, process, and manage purchase orders in line with the school’s financial procedures and
delegated authority levels.
• Ensure all purchasing activity adheres to best value principles and is compliant with internal
financial policies and external regulations.
• Monitor delivery of goods and services against purchase orders, ensuring discrepancies or issues are
promptly followed up and resolved.
• Liaise with suppliers and the central finance team to ensure timely invoicing, matching, and payment
of goods/services.
• Approve invoices up to a defined limit within the company’s financial management system.
• Complete and submit returns for petty cash, credit card transactions, and low-value expenditures
accurately and on time.
• Maintain robust financial systems that meet internal audit standards, ensuring transparency,
accountability, and the elimination of financial anomalies.
• Remain vigilant for signs of suspected fraud, report concerns promptly via appropriate channels and
collaborate with senior leadership and central finance teams to investigate and resolve issues.
• Support the fee payment process, by maintaining accurate records for all young people including
monthly invoicing for respite stays and funded placements.
• Delegate appropriate finance-related tasks to the Finance Administrator, ensuring clear
oversight and accountability.
Human Resources & Payroll
• Maintain secure and up-to-date staff records, including contracts, training logs, and
attendance data, in line with data protection requirements (GDPR)
• Work with the central people team to ensure that the school is following the correct
procedures for recruitment, onboarding, staff contracts and leavers'
administration, ensuring compliance with safer recruitment guidelines
• Coordinate the recruitment process at site using our in-house applicant tracking system to get
vacancy adverts live, schedule interviews and work with the central team to ensure all compliance is
completed in line with safer recruitment guidelines and vetting is completed appropriately
• Support staff induction and ensure new staff are familiar with school policies and procedures.
• Oversee all site-based payroll activities, ensuring overtime is processed on the company’s system
accurately and on time
• Liaise with the central payroll and HR team to resolve payroll queries and discrepancies.
• Monitor and maintain accurate records of working hours, overtime, leave, and absence, using the
payroll system.
• Maintain secure and up-to-date staff records, including contracts, training logs, and attendance
data, in line with data protection requirements (GDPR)
Administration
• Oversee the daily operation of the school office and administrative team, ensuring all tasks are carried
out efficiently and to high standards.
• Ensure school records, communications, and filing systems are accurate, up to date, and compliant
with data protection legislation.
• Develop and maintain effective administrative processes and procedures to support teaching,
learning, safeguarding, and school governance.
• Prepare and submit statutory reports, returns, and documentation to local authorities, regulatory
bodies, and other external agencies.
• Monitor administrative workflows to eliminate duplication, promote efficiency, and ensure
accountability across the team.
• Provide administrative support for events, parent communication, staff recruitment, and pupil
admissions as required.
Facilities and Site Management
• With the Principal and Premises Lead supervise the maintenance of the school site
• Manage the local requirements of contracts for outsourced services, ensuring ongoing
value for money and high service delivery
• Ensure, in liaison with the central team, that all necessary insurances are in place and
up to date
• Ensure systems are in place to ensure that all contractors undertaking work on site adhere to
health safety and safeguarding procedures
• Ensure that all vehicles are taxed, have up to date MOTs carried out, maintained in a clean, tidy and
safe condition and are serviced in accordance with schedules
• Liaise closely with the Salutem Estates and Maintenance team and others on larger projects to ensure
that local teams and resources are appropriately deployed to balance Opex and Capex requirements
• Take delegated responsibility for the delivery of Opex projects
Health and Safety
As the Health & Safety Coordinator:
• Ensure the school complies with all relevant health and safety legislation, advising staff and leadership
on legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.
• Lead on the development, implementation, and communication of the school’s Health & Safety
Policy, ensuring it is current, accessible, and reviewed regularly, ensuring compliance with the
organisational central policies and procedures
• Ensure the policy is applicable to all school areas and functions, and that it is embedded into everyday
operational practice.
• Plan, conduct, and maintain records of fire drills, alarm tests, and emergency evacuations, taking
prompt corrective action in response to any issues or poor practice identified.
• Establish and maintain systems for the identification and management of health and safety risks,
including conducting and reviewing risk assessments across all relevant areas of the school.
• Promote a culture of safety and wellbeing, ensuring all staff understand their responsibilities and feel
confident to report hazards and incidents.
• Collaborate with external agencies, site staff, and leadership to ensure facilities and practices meet
health and safety standards and best practice guidance.
Housekeeping and Catering
• Ensure that the site is maintained in a clean wholesome and presentable way, with deep
cleaning taking place as appropriate
• Ensure the onsite catering facilities are maintained and run under health and safety
guidelines complying with all food safety regulations.
General
• Be part of the “on call” cover in emergencies
• Work with a high degree of autonomy including responsibility and accountability for managing
delegated budgets and resources
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence and deliver against the requirements of Salutem’s quality
framework, school development plans, Ofsted and national minimum standards
• Report to the Principal and work in collaboration on key performance indicators
• Work within Salutem’s policies and procedures at all times
Safeguarding
• To be fully aware of and understanding the duties and responsibilities arising from Keeping Children
Safe in Education (KCSIE) and working together in relation to child protection and safeguarding
children and young people as this applies to the worker’s role within the organisation.
• Ensure the Single Central Record (SCR) is maintained in accordance with the requirements of KCSIE
This job description should not be seen as all encompassing, and the post holder will be expected to
undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post as directed by the Principal.
The post holder will further Salutem’s vision and comply with the policies and procedures of Salutem
and the school. This job description will be kept under review to ensure that it remains up to date. The
post holder will be consulted about any proposed changes.
Salutem Care and Education are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
young people. All offers of employment are subject to rigorous pre-employment checks, including
enhanced DBS, in line with our stringent safer recruitment policy.
Successful candidates for all posts will undergo a minimum of 6 months’ probation period.