Director of Operations
| Posting date: | 16 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 September 2025 |
| Location: | Newton Abbot, Not recorded, TQ12 6JB |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | cb511f91-b973-456b-81db-b9e5b3137185 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
The successful candidate will be an experienced operational leader with a strong track record of working across complex organisations; ideally with experience in the education or public sector. You will bring a deep understanding of compliance, risk, resource management, alongside the ability to lead teams, manage change and think strategically. We are looking for someone who can communicate with clarity and integrity, balance vision with detail, and ensure that operational excellence underpins all that we do.
You will be values-driven, emotionally intelligent and thrive on working collaboratively with others to get the best outcomes.
What the school offers its staff
The opportunity to work with a progressive and forward thinking multi academy trust
Employee wellbeing service
Cycle to work scheme
Contributory pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme
Further details about the role
The First Federation Trust, a multi academy rust of 29 primary schools across Devon, Plymouth and West Dorset have recently created a new team structure and are looking to appoint a Director of Operations. This key new role will work closely with the CEO and other Directors to ensure the efficient, compliant and sustainable running of the Trust. The postholder will lead on all non-educational operational services, enabling schools and central functions to focus on delivering excellent outcomes for children.
This is a senior and pivitol role within the First Federation Trust's executive team. The Director of Operations will shape and drive the strategic and operational delivery of the key support services, ensuring that non-academic functions enable schools to deliver the best outcomes for pupils. The role spans leadership of estates, HR, IT, procurement and compliance functions, working collaboratively with colleagues across schools and the central team.
The successful candidate will be an experienced operational leader with a strong track record of working across complex organisations; ideally with experience in the education or public sector. You will bring a deep understanding of compliance, risk, resource management, alongside the ability to lead teams, manage change and think strategically. We are looking for someone who can communicate with clarity and integrity, balance vision with detail, and ensure that operational excellence underpins all that we do.
You will be values-driven, emotionally intelligent and thrive on working collaboratively with others to get the best outcomes.
In return we offer:
The opportunity to work with a progressive and forward thinking multi academy trust
Employee wellbeing service
Cycle to work scheme
Contributory pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme
If you have any queries about this role please email Paul Walker, CEO on paul.walker@firstfederation.org.uk
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.
The successful candidate will be an experienced operational leader with a strong track record of working across complex organisations; ideally with experience in the education or public sector. You will bring a deep understanding of compliance, risk, resource management, alongside the ability to lead teams, manage change and think strategically. We are looking for someone who can communicate with clarity and integrity, balance vision with detail, and ensure that operational excellence underpins all that we do.
You will be values-driven, emotionally intelligent and thrive on working collaboratively with others to get the best outcomes.
What the school offers its staff
The opportunity to work with a progressive and forward thinking multi academy trust
Employee wellbeing service
Cycle to work scheme
Contributory pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme
Further details about the role
The First Federation Trust, a multi academy rust of 29 primary schools across Devon, Plymouth and West Dorset have recently created a new team structure and are looking to appoint a Director of Operations. This key new role will work closely with the CEO and other Directors to ensure the efficient, compliant and sustainable running of the Trust. The postholder will lead on all non-educational operational services, enabling schools and central functions to focus on delivering excellent outcomes for children.
This is a senior and pivitol role within the First Federation Trust's executive team. The Director of Operations will shape and drive the strategic and operational delivery of the key support services, ensuring that non-academic functions enable schools to deliver the best outcomes for pupils. The role spans leadership of estates, HR, IT, procurement and compliance functions, working collaboratively with colleagues across schools and the central team.
The successful candidate will be an experienced operational leader with a strong track record of working across complex organisations; ideally with experience in the education or public sector. You will bring a deep understanding of compliance, risk, resource management, alongside the ability to lead teams, manage change and think strategically. We are looking for someone who can communicate with clarity and integrity, balance vision with detail, and ensure that operational excellence underpins all that we do.
You will be values-driven, emotionally intelligent and thrive on working collaboratively with others to get the best outcomes.
In return we offer:
The opportunity to work with a progressive and forward thinking multi academy trust
Employee wellbeing service
Cycle to work scheme
Contributory pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme
If you have any queries about this role please email Paul Walker, CEO on paul.walker@firstfederation.org.uk
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.