Trust Operations Manager

Trust Operations Manager

Hours of work: 37 hours per week (full year)

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: TCAT Grade 8 (NJC SCP 28 to 32: £40,444 to £44,253 pa)

Closing date: Friday 13 November 2026 (Midday)

What you'll be doing

• Lead Trust‑wide operational improvement activity: analyse performance, set priorities, redesign workflows, assign actions and hold teams to account for implementing and sustaining change.
• Maintain and develop elements of the Operational Excellence framework (standards, scorecards, assurance, policies and shared practice); review findings and advise the Operations Director on priorities and resource needs.
• Manage allocated contracts and suppliers across the Trust, including Trust‑wide catering: run formal performance reviews, investigate underperformance, agree corrective action and recommend escalation or contractual remedies when needed.
• Lead procurement activity within delegated authority and in line with public procurement rules: options appraisals, specification writing, market engagement, tendering, evaluation, award, mobilisation and handover, keeping an auditable trail.
• Plan and deliver operational projects from initiation to close: control plans, milestones, budgets, risks and benefits; direct internal and external contributors and approve spending within delegated limits.
• Support the Health & Safety Coordinator on allocated parts of the Trust’s H&S system: coordinate audits, training and corrective action, monitor compliance and escalate significant risks with clear recommendations.
• Produce clear management information and reports for senior leaders, trustees and auditors; build working relationships with academy leaders, suppliers and partners.
• Line‑manage the Central Trust Catering Supervisor, setting objectives, monitoring performance and supporting development.

Flexibility in working pattern is required, including occasional evening meetings, and regular travel to academy sites.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Degree or recognised professional qualification (or willingness to work towards one) in operational management, project management, procurement, H&S or related field, plus substantial applied experience in a multi‑site organisation.
• Proven track record managing complex operational services across multiple sites, including service improvement, contract performance and H&S assurance.
• Strong experience delivering multi‑stakeholder projects with responsibility for plans, budgets, risks and benefits realisation.
• High digital literacy, confident with Microsoft 365 and presenting management information.
• Excellent planning, analytical and problem‑solving skills; able to work with limited supervision and to escalate appropriately.
• Willingness and ability to travel between Trust sites and to work flexibly, including occasional evening meetings.

Desirable

• Recognised qualification in operational excellence, process improvement, project management or H&S.
• Direct experience of procurement and public sector tendering.

About the team

You will sit in the Trust central operations function reporting to the Operations Director and work closely with the Operations and Estates Strategy Board, business support hubs, academy leaders and the Health & Safety Coordinator. You will line‑manage the Central Trust Catering Supervisor and engage with colleagues across multiple academy sites.

What we offer

• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Occupational sickness and parental leave pay schemes.
• Minimum 26 days annual leave (increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service), plus bank holidays.
• Agile working (minimum 3 days per week on site, subject to work commitments).
• Access to TCAT+, our Reward, Recognition and Wellbeing platform, which includes retailer discounts, discounted healthcare cash plan, an EV lease car scheme, a cycle to work scheme and wellbeing resources) and our Employee Assistance Programme delivered through Schools Wellbeing.
• Access to a comprehensive CPD framework through Education Connect, online resources from the National College and access to professional qualifications.

About us

TCAT is a multi‑academy Trust made up of 15 members academies across Warrington, St Helens and Wirral, with a central team based in south Warrington.

TCAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, qualifications, experience checks, medical clearance, enhanced DBS checks, social media checks, and documentary evidence showing your entitlement to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities

Understanding of and commitment to the principles and practice of equality, diversity and inclusion, both in relation to employment issues and service delivery.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check