Director of Operations

Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust, Loughton, IG10 3HE

35 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  October 2026

• Closing date

  24 April 2026 at 12:59am

• Date listed

  20 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £83,881.00 - £92,167.00 Annually (Actual)

Director of Operations job summary

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you a visionary leader ready to shape the future of a growing Multi-Academy Trust? Following a strategic review of our operations, we are seeking an exceptional Director of Operations to join our Executive Leadership Team.

This is a newly redefined role designed to integrate high-level financial strategy with robust operational and estates management.

You will be the architect of our transition to a fully centralised “Finance Business Partner” model by 2030, ensuring our Trust remains financially sustainable and operationally elite

We are offering an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking and innovative financial leader. The ideal candidate will be strategically astute and bring a strong sense of empathy to their leadership style - someone who can balance commercial insight with emotional intelligence to drive sustainable growth and inspire those around them.

THE ROLE

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will hold strategic oversight for:

Financial Sustainability: Establishing 3-year rolling plans, managing consolidated budgets, and ensuring total compliance with The Academy Trust Handbook and SORP.

Strategic Operations: Leading Trust-wide administration, risk management, and the implementation of our new cloud-based technology strategy (SAGE Intacct).

Estates & Growth: Managing large-scale capital projects—including the RAAC rebuilding programme—and leading due diligence for future Trust expansion.

People Leadership: Mentoring a multi-disciplinary central team and working alongside the HR Director to drive efficiency and professional development.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for a candidate who combines technical mastery with human-centric leadership.

You will have:

A Finance degree or CCAB qualification (or equivalent).

Extensive experience in senior financial leadership within an Academy Trust or school setting.

A proven track record of managing complex budgets and large-scale estate projects.

The ability to simplify complex financial data for various stakeholders, from Headteachers to the Board of Trustees.

A commitment to the Nolan Principles of Public Life and the resilience to lead through change.

We encourage a visit to the Trust, and we are holding two open sessions on Wednesday, 25 March at 9:30 am and 1 pm. If you are unable to attend on this date, Karen Salmons will also be available over the Easter break from 30 March to 10 April 2026.

Please call 02083254547 and ask for Tammy Eaton or Jenny Gevertz to book a slot.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

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.

About Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/epping-forest-schools-partnership-trust

Head office location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed