School Operations Manager

Forge Valley School & Sixth Form, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S6 5HG

13 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  6 October 2026

• Closing date

  19 October 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  6 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership role
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: Grade 7 scale point 27 - 31

School Operations Manager job summary

SCHOOL OPERATIONS MANAGER

Be at the heart of a well-run, ambitious secondary school

INOVA Multi-Academy Trust is seeking an experienced, organised and forward-thinking School Operations Manager to join the team at Forge Valley School.

This is a varied and influential role for someone who understands how excellent operational leadership enables teachers and school leaders to focus on delivering the best possible education for pupils.

As the school’s senior non-teaching operational leader, you will take responsibility for the effective day-to-day management of the school’s operational and administrative services. You will work closely with the Head of School and senior leadership team, while building strong relationships with INOVA’s central finance, HR, estates and digital teams.

You will lead and coordinate a range of operational teams and services, including reception, student services, administration, cover, reprographics, catering and cleaning. You will ensure that processes are efficient, standards are consistently high and Trust policies and statutory requirements are implemented effectively.

The role

Your responsibilities will include:

* providing operational advice and support to the Head of School and senior leadership team;

* leading the school’s day-to-day operational and administrative activity;

* managing and developing operational staff, setting clear expectations and supporting their performance and wellbeing;

* overseeing reception, student services, administration, cover and reprographics;

* monitoring staff cover, absence patterns and associated expenditure, and providing relevant information and recommendations to school leaders;

* overseeing the effective delivery of catering and cleaning services;

* coordinating the operational administration of educational visits, trips and enrichment activities;

* acting as the school’s Evolve approver following appropriate training;

* overseeing ParentPay, cashless catering and free school meal administration;

* coordinating leave-of-absence and school-trip requests;

* managing school minibus bookings and maintenance arrangements;

* supporting school-level health and safety, data protection, risk management and emergency procedures;

* acting as a designated first aider and ensuring robust first-aid arrangements are maintained; and

* working closely with the Trust’s finance, HR, estates and digital teams to implement agreed actions and resolve operational issues.

The role does not carry delegated financial authority, but you will work closely with the school’s Finance Business Partner to provide information, support processes and ensure agreed actions are delivered.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

* has significant experience of managing school operations, ideally within a secondary school;

* has successfully managed diverse operational or administrative teams;

* is highly organised and able to manage competing priorities in a busy environment;

* understands health and safety, data protection, HR processes and excellent customer service;

* can build strong and productive relationships with school leaders, staff, pupils, families, central Trust teams and external providers;

* approaches problems calmly, takes ownership and exercises sound professional judgement;

* is committed to developing staff and creating a positive working environment;

* is flexible, resilient and comfortable working in a changing organisation; and

* shares INOVA’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence.

Experience of working within a multi-academy trust and a relevant qualification in school business management, administration or operations would be advantageous.

Why join INOVA?

INOVA is a values-led multi-academy trust serving a diverse family of primary and secondary schools across Sheffield. Although our schools serve different communities, we are united by a shared commitment to:

Innovation – embracing new ideas, learning and improving;

Collaboration – working openly, inclusively and collectively; and

Excellence – maintaining high expectations and taking responsibility for achieving the best outcomes.

You will join the Trust at an exciting stage of its development and have the opportunity to shape effective school operations while benefiting from the expertise and support of established central teams.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment in which every employee feels valued and able to contribute. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

For an informal discussion about the role or to arrange a visit to the school, please contact Lorna Jennings at Forge Valley School.

To apply, please complete the application form through eteach. CVs will not be accepted in place of a completed application form.

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

Candidates are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with Forge Valley School Safeguarding procedures - Forge Valley School - Safeguarding

https://www.forgevalley.school/

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 Forge Valley School & Sixth Form

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 19
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1494 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 19
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Forge Valley School & Sixth Form website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/forge-valley-school

Forge Valley School is an 11-18 Academy sponsored by Tapton School Academy Trust. We are an Ofsted “Good” school with the ambition and capacity to improve further. The school serves over 1500 pupils and since the school’s reputation goes from strength to strength, the number of pupils at Forge Valley School is expected to rise further.
One of our key strengths is our staff who are committed to ensuring all pupils become the best they can be. Although we work as a team, we recognise each member of staff as an individual and offer bespoke CPD and support. Above all, we are a team that enjoys working at Forge Valley School, who are supportive, approachable and ambitious for each other and ourselves.

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