Deputy Chief of Operations

Job details

Job role Administration, HR, data and finance

Visa sponsorship Visas cannot be sponsored

Working pattern Full time

Contract type Permanent

Full-time equivalent salary £76,772.00 - £88,951.00 Annually (Actual) BDL17 - BDL23

Deputy Chief of Operations job summary

This is an exciting and influential leadership role for an individual with strategic insight, expertise and presence to ensure our estates and wider operational services are robust and aligned to the future needs of our Trust and academies.

We are looking for a dynamic and strategic leader who can build strong professional relationships with senior leaders of our academies, ensuring high quality operational delivery that enables Headteachers and staff to focus on achieving educational excellence. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the Trust estate’s vision and strategy, driving innovation through safe, secure and sustainable learning environments.

We need from you

• A passion for delivering operational excellence that directly supports educational excellence
• Significant experience leading complex estates, operations or compliance functions across multiple sites
• The ability to build credibility and trust with senior leaders, influencing practice across the Trust
• Strong strategic leadership, planning and project management skills
• A commitment to partnership working, teamwork and high professional standards
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-management skills
• Drive, ambition and the ability to lead continuous improvement at scale
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of BDAT

We can offer you

• A supportive, forward-thinking Executive Team and a Trust committed to inclusive, values-led leadership.
• A higher varied and rewarding role working across multiple academies with diverse communities
• Opportunities to shape and direct Trust-wide operational strategy, systems and culture.
• High-quality professional development and leadership learning
• The chance to make measurable difference to the safety, sustainability and effectiveness of school environments and ultimately to the lives of children, staff and communities.

Hours of work are flexible to meet the needs of the Trust but will not routinely exceed 37 hours per week. Occasional evening work is expected, and this role is office based.

Employer: [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]

Reporting to: Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Accountable to: Chief Executive Officer

Duration of Post: Permanent

Probationary period Six months

Salary: BDL17 - BDL23 (£76,772 - £88,951)

Work Pattern: Full Time, All Year Round

Closing date 9.00am 8th May 2026

Interview date 15th May 2026

Start date: 1st September 2026

If you would value an exploratory conversation, please contact Emma Williamson at [contact hidden] or by telephone on [contact hidden].

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

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.

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.