Operations Manager - Harwich
Spring Meadow Primary School & Nursery, Harwich, Essex, CO12 4LB27 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
18 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
22 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £42,123.00 - £46,579.00 Annually (Actual) This post could attract a recruitment and retention allowance, paid in addition to the salary.
Operations Manager - Harwich job summary
Job Purpose:
LIFE Education Trust is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day running of two schools in our North East Essex Hub: Spring Meadow Primary School & Nursery in Harwich and The Haefen, our specialist provision for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. Reporting to the Trust's Chief Finance & Operating Officer, you will lead across finance, HR, site management and operations, putting operational best practice in place and managing resources effectively so that both schools run smoothly and efficiently every day. This is a permanent, full-time role (36 hours per week, 52 weeks per year) based across Harwich and Manningtree, starting as soon as possible. The salary is Grade 7, spine points 30-34 (£42,123 - £46,579), and the post could attract a recruitment and retention allowance paid in addition to salary.
You will:
Share our commitment to building great learning communities where children flourish
Lead and develop the administration, site and catering teams across both schools
Prepare and manage monthly budgets, forecasts and long-term budget plans, explaining variances clearly to senior leaders
Act as the first point of contact for HR, overseeing contracts, payroll, safer recruitment and the Single Central Record
Ensure both sites are safe and compliant with health and safety legislation, and manage lettings and community use
Identify and resolve operational challenges, streamline processes and contribute to strategic planning
Build strong links between LIFE Central and the schools, coordinating Trust-wide IT and marketing initiatives
Bring excellent organisation, sound judgement and a collaborative, values-led approach
The successful candidate will join a supportive and ambitious team across two schools with their own distinctive identities, working closely with the Executive Headteacher, Headteachers and our central team. You will make a real difference to how our schools run, and be supported to keep developing your skills and career within a growing Trust. Please read the attached application pack for the full job description and person specification before applying. The closing date is 18th November 2026. We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive enough suitable applications. School visits are welcomed and encouraged. To arrange one, or for an informal conversation about the role, please contact Will Bridge at Academicis, our recruitment partner, at wbridge@academicis.co.uk or on 07825 346535 / 01223 907979.
Our Way of LIFE
Our Purpose is 'To build great learning communities where children flourish’ and at LIFE Education Trust we work collaboratively to ensure that everything we do can positively impact the lives of our pupils and employees.
To accomplish our purpose, we use our 3 core beliefs: ‘Courageous Optimism’, ‘Boundless Creativity’ & ‘Heartfelt Compassion’. We believe in helping colleagues and pupils achieve their personal best and we strive to recruit first class talent for our Trust.
References and DBS Checks
All offers of appointment will be subject to receipt of satisfactory references. LIFE Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the DBS.
Inclusion
As a Trust, we are committed to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. We will ensure that the selection process is fair and without discrimination for or against any candidate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. The person specification sets out the criteria used to assess candidates through the selection process.
Why Choose LIFE Education Trust
For more information on why to choose LIFE, head to the website here.
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 Spring Meadow Primary School & Nursery
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 2 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 354 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
School location
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