Operational Excellence Lead

This role provides vital additional leadership capacity within the Operations & Compliance function, ensuring that our systems, processes and expectations are consistently understood, implemented and embedded across the Trust.

Working closely with the Head of Operations & Compliance, the Operational Excellence Lead will play a key role in translating Trust-wide operational standards into effective day‑to‑day practice, supporting academies to meet statutory requirements, and driving continuous improvement in compliance, health and safety, procurement oversight, policy implementation and operational assurance. The postholder will act as a trusted partner to Headteachers, Academy Business Partners and central teams, offering guidance, challenge and practical support while appreciating the varied demands of busy school environments.

This role will support the leadership of core operational areas and ensure processes are efficient, consistent and responsive to the needs of our academies, contributing to the development of a strong operational culture and the effective use of Trust systems and tools.

The successful applicant will be an organised, credible and proactive operational leader, able to build strong relationships, coordinate cross‑Trust activity and support the delivery of improvement projects. They will bring a solution‑focused mindset, excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams and sites. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is motivated by school improvement, committed to high standards, and ready to make a meaningful contribution to the Trust’s operational strength and future growth.

In return we can offer:

• A highly competitive salary commensurate with the responsibilities of the post
• Hybrid working with a combination of remote (UK) and on-site working to suit the demands of the role
• Eligibility to join the LGPS Pension Scheme
• A supportive network of professional colleagues
• A strong culture of professional development, including access to apprenticeship levy development
• The opportunity to be part of an aspirational organization and contribute to its development and growth
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Benefits Scheme

Applications

Thank you for your interest in this post. Interested candidates are welcome to speak to us for more information about this fantastic opportunity. Please contact Deb Bacon, our Head of Operations and Compliance, directly on deb.bacon@covmat.org for an informal discussion about the post.

Please note the closing date for applications is 9am, 5th November 2026. Please apply through My New Term’s online application process.

We welcome all applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 9th November 2026.