Deputy Director of Operational Services
Meridian Trust, Huntingdon, PE28 5TQ12 days remaining to apply
Closing date
10 December 2025 at 8am
Date listed
27 November 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £66,368.00 Annually (Actual)
Deputy Director of Operational Services job summary
Vacancy for Deputy Director of Operational Services
Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.
We are seeking an experienced and proactive Deputy Director of Operational Services to support the Director of Operational Services with strategic and operational leadership of non-academic functions across the organisation. The successful candidate will play a critical role in managing and developing key operational areas, with particular responsibility for procurement, contract management, insurance support and trading activities in our Academies, ensuring best value and efficiency in all services. The Deputy will also deputise for the Director of Operational Services should the need arise.
This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in public sector procurement and contract oversight, combined with the ability to lead cross-functional operational projects in an educational setting.
The post holder will be expected to travel between school sites as required to support operational functions and ensure consistency of service delivery.
The opportunity
- Play a vital role in ensuring all trust and individual academy tender procurements are compliant.
- Review, maintain and refine trust processes whilst ensuring they are legally compliant and meet the requirements of the Academies Financial Handbook.
- Providing important business support to tenders entered by Trust.
- Building and maintaining key relationships with main contractors and ensuring deliverables are achieved (catering, cleaning, leisure and premises).
- Maintaining a record of contracts within the trust and ensuring they are reviewed in line with best practice to recommend improvements for best value.
The ideal candidate
- Significant experience of leading strategic planning for an organisation in a regulated, not for profit sector.
- Strong knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and frameworks (e.g., Procurement Act 2023, PCR 2015, Crown Commercial Services).
- Knowledge of compliance and governance frameworks in an educational context.
- Experience of financial and budgetary management.
- Experience of procuring services and monitoring contracts to ensure that value are met.
- Experience of staff leadership and management.
About Meridian Trust -
Meridian Trust is a values-led organisation formed in 2011 that has risen to be one of the highest-performing academy trusts in the country. The Trust is founded on its commitment to a high-quality educational provision for all at the heart of local communities. Meridian currently operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
Meridian Trust offers a wealth of fantastic benefits for teaching and support staff which are highlighted below but are not limited to -
- Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities which allow you to gain specialist knowledge in a role you are passionate about developing in
- Opportunity to jump start your career in teaching through our dedicated Initial Teacher Training Team (ITT)
- Support for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme and other resources
- Cycle to work scheme
- Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
- Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
- Free on-site parking
- Discounts on a wide range of benefits from everyday essentials to holidays
To explore our full range of benefits, please visit https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk/jobs-and-training/benefits/.
For more information about the role please download the Applicant Information Pack below.
Closing date for applications: 9am , Wednesday 10th December 2025
Interviews will be held on: Wednesday 17th or Thursday 18th December 2025.
Meridian Trust reserves the right to close the applications early in the event that a suitable candidate is sourced.
The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS), as well as online searches.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Meridian Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Head office location
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