[260624A] Operations Manager

Post: Operations Manager

Location: ACE Schools, Plymouth

FTE Salary Range: NJC F Point 22-25

Actual Salary Range: £33,699 - £36,363

Contract Type: Permanent (Full time, all year round)

Contract Hours: 37 per week, Monday to Friday

For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, job share, compressed hours, or staggered hours. Please wait until the job offer stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what’s possible for the role.

To see more about the school please see our applicant pack - ACE Schools Applicant Pack

About the role

Shape the future of school operations

We are looking for an experienced and proactive Operations Manager to lead and develop non-teaching services across a number of sites in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in ensuring our schools run efficiently, safely, and effectively—supporting staff and enabling students to thrive.

Working closely with the Headteacher and senior leadership team, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across administration, estates, catering, finance, and support services.

As Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead all non-teaching operations, including administration, facilities, catering, and site management
• Be the key link between schools and central Trust teams such as HR, Finance, Estates, ICT, and Projects
• Ensure smooth day-to-day operations across multiple school sites
• Manage support staff, providing leadership, training, and development
• Oversee health & safety, compliance, and safeguarding processes
• Drive improvements in systems, processes, and overall organisational effectiveness

Key responsibilities

Operational leadership

• Ensure efficient delivery of all support services across sites
• Develop and implement systems, policies, and procedures
• Lead on organisational improvement and operational excellence

Administration & systems

• Oversee the school office and reception to deliver a high-quality service
• Manage data systems and ensure compliance with GDPR and reporting requirements
• Supervise student records, attendance processes, and statutory returns

Finance & HR

• Oversee school-based financial processes and ensure compliance with Trust regulations
• Support HR systems and procedures at local level

Estates, site & catering

• Ensure the safety, security, and maintenance of all school sites
• Manage cleaning, site teams, and external contractors
• Oversee catering services and associated systems
• Coordinate maintenance schedules and compliance checks

About the successful candidate

We’re seeking a confident and skilled professional who:

• Has proven experience in an operational or business management role
• Has experience leading and managing teams
• Is highly organised, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities
• Communicates effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Has strong IT skills (Microsoft Office essential)
• Has experience in finance, HR processes, and site management
• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding and supporting young people
• Experience within education is desirable but not essential.

About the School

Welcome to ACE schools. At ACE we are proud to provide education to young people aged from 4-16 who are not currently accessing mainstream or special school provision.

Our school supports young people from all over the region with provisions in Cornwall, Plymouth and Exeter. Our school prides itself on providing a trauma informed approach to all of our young people ensuring that everyone’s learning is tailored to them as individuals.

Our provisions are tailored to the specific needs of our young people with highly trained staff delivering group teaching, one to one support, and outreach into the community ensuring that we have an adaptability that makes us specialists in our field.

About the Trust

We are a family of schools working in partnership for the benefit of all our pupils and students. We believe our charitable aim, to advance education, is best achieved through collaboration, both within the Trust and beyond.

We operate 21 academies across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, serving learners aged 3 to 19. Alongside our primary, all-through and technical provision, we are proud to include a strong and integral network of seven special schools and one alternative provision setting.

These settings are a vital part of our community, providing inclusive, high-quality education for pupils with a wide range of needs, including complex learning profiles, autism, and social, emotional and mental health needs, as well as those who benefit from a more personalised approach. Together, we are committed to helping every young person thrive.

Those we recruit those who can demonstrate that they share our values, are highly motivated to work with colleagues, within and beyond their school, to continuously develop their skills and pursue professional excellence.

Next Steps

If you think this role may be for you and want to be involved at this exciting time in our development and have any questions about the position, please get in touch by calling the Recruitment team on 07759365064 or emailing us at ***email_hidden***.

Closing date: for applications is 08/07/2026

Interview Date: Interviews are provisionally booked for 16/07/26

To apply for this opportunity, please complete our online application form by clicking ‘apply now’ on the advert.

We reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. Therefore, an early application is strongly advised.

Opportunities and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary plus LGPS pension, great career progression and development opportunities, access to our Employee Assistance Programme with many other benefits. We’re proud of how we support our staff in order that you have high levels of job satisfaction, are aware of the difference you are making for the children and families you work with and can see your contribution towards our community. There are regular opportunities for professional development and training, and a wider community of staff to network with within Reach South Multi Academy Trust. You will have the chance to visit other local schools, work alongside a range of outside professionals and take part in a variety of e-learning and face-to-face training.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Each post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Reach South Academy Trust has an Equal Opportunities Policy for selection and recruitment. Applicants are requested to complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring section of the application form before submitting.