Head of Operations (0.6 FTE)

The Woodland Academy Trust, Erith, DA8 1JE

34 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  5 January 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  17 October 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £26,683.20 - £30,740.40 Annually (Actual) Hay Grade 15.1-15.4 pro rata for 0.6 FTE ( 3 days per week)

Head of Operations (0.6 FTE) job summary

Job title: Head of Operations
Status: Permanent
Hours: 21.6 hours per week (0.6)
Working weeks per year: 52 weeks per year
Grade: Hay Grade 15.1 - 15.4 (£44,472 - £51,234)
Pro rata salary: £26,683.20 - £30,740.40
Post Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: 5th January 2026

Woodland Academy Trust is seeking a strategic and solutions-focused Head of Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping and leading operational excellence across our five primary schools. This is a highly collaborative and visible leadership position, ideal for someone who thrives on driving change, strengthening compliance frameworks, and ensuring the smooth running of Trust-wide operations.

Working closely with the CFOO and other senior leaders, you will oversee key areas including compliance, estates, governance support, health and safety, contracts, and digital systems development. You’ll lead on embedding efficient processes, championing the use of technology and data dashboards, and building strong partnerships across central and school teams.

The successful candidate should:

• Have significant experience leading operational or compliance functions in a multi-site organisation.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of compliance, health and safety, governance, and data protection frameworks.
• Be an effective leader, able to build collaborative relationships and manage staff with clarity and integrity.
• Be confident in using technology and data systems to drive operational improvement and reporting.
• Have excellent organisational, analytical and project management skills, with the ability to problem-solve and deliver results.
• Have experience of working with external contractors and suppliers, ensuring value for money and quality assurance.
• Be committed to the values of ambition, collaboration, compassion, excellence and inclusivity.
• Ideally, bring relevant qualifications such as IOSH/NEBOSH, GDPR/Data Protection training, or CIPD.
• Be passionate about delivering exceptional operational services that underpin the success of our schools and pupils.

This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking, values-driven Trust at an exciting time in its development — making a tangible difference to how we deliver high-quality education and services for our school communities.

Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close this position early should a suitable candidate be found. Therefore, early application is advised.

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 The Woodland Academy Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-woodland-academy-trust

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