Head of Operations

Minerva Learning Trust, Sheffield, S9 1XU

21 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 January 2027

• Closing date

  26 October 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  5 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Catering, cleaning and site management
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Between £67,162 to £73,499
• Pay scale: Senior Officer Pay Scale Band 1 SO1 to SO5

What skills and experience we're looking for

Minerva Learning Trust is a growing multi-academy trust committed to providing an outstanding education for students from a wide variety of backgrounds across Sheffield and Derbyshire. Founded in 2014, Minerva Learning Trust has expanded to a thriving family of schools, including primary, secondary, sixth form, and a unique post-16 provision. We have a strong track record of school improvement, successfully improving schools.

At Minerva Learning Trust, we know that exceptional education does not happen by chance. Behind every successful school, every inspiring classroom and every positive outcome for young people are the people, systems and environments that make excellence possible.

As a growing and ambitious Trust serving communities across Sheffield and North Derbyshire, we are committed to ensuring that every child receives the high-quality education they deserve. As we strive to deliver our Minerva 2.0 strategy and strengthen our family of schools, we are looking for an exceptional Head of Operations to join our Central Team, as part of our Executive Leadership Team, and play a vital role in shaping our future.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced operational professional who is motivated by making a difference at scale. Working closely with the CEO, Executive Team, school leaders and colleagues across the Trust, you will lead the operational services that enable our schools to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional experiences and outcomes for children and young people. This role will be fundamental in creating the environment and conditions for every child to thrive.

The role encompasses strategic responsibility for estates, compliance, health and safety, procurement, capital projects, sustainability and ICT, governance and operational improvement. However, this role is about much more than systems and processes. It is about creating safe, effective and inspiring environments where staff can perform at their best and pupils can flourish.

At Minerva, we are proud of our collaborative culture and our shared commitment to being Outstanding Together. Our schools benefit from strong partnerships, professional trust and a collective belief that we achieve more when we work together. We are ambitious for every child, every school and every member of staff, and we are looking for someone who shares those ambitions.

We are seeking a leader with strategic vision, strong operational expertise and a proven track record of delivering improvement within a complex organisation. You will be equally comfortable developing long-term plans, leading significant projects and building strong relationships with stakeholders at every level. Most importantly, you will understand that operational excellence is not an end in itself; it is the foundation upon which outstanding education is built. Strong financial acumen and experience of planning and managing complex capital projects is a must.

This is a rare opportunity to influence an organisation that is ambitious about its future and deeply committed to serving its communities. The successful candidate will help shape the next phase of Minerva's development, ensuring that our schools have the environments, resources and support they need to continue transforming lives through education.

If you are inspired by the opportunity to combine strategic leadership with meaningful impact, and if you share our belief that every child deserves the very best opportunities to succeed, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Join us and help shape the future of Minerva Learning Trust.

What the school offers its staff

Please see the attached Recruitment Pack

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

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment, further information can be found in our child protection and safeguarding policy on our statutory information page on our website
Minerva Learning Trust. The successful candidate will be required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In line with KCSIE, the trust/school will be carrying out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of their due diligence.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Recruitment Information Pack - Head of Operations.pdf - 1.11 MB (opens in new tab)

About Minerva Learning Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Email address: sbailey@central-mlt.co.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/minerva-learning-trust

Minerva Learning Trust is an expanding Sheffield based multi-academy Trust with a vision of
providing outstanding education for all the students within our schools. The Trust is passionate that
all students should see their time at school as happy and fulfilling with their potential developed to
the utmost. High Storrs School joined the Trust in March 2018.

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