Operations Manager
- Job title: Operations Manager
- Job Type: Full time, Permanent
- Salary: £30,000 (£34,800 if the full pension flex benefit is utilised)
- Department: Mallinson Sports Centre
- Reporting to: General Manager
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: As soon as possible
- Closing Date: 10 January 2025 at 5:00 pm
Mallinson Sports at Highgate School is currently seeking a dynamic and organised individual to join our team as an Operations Manager.
Working closely with the General Manager, this role will primarily be responsible for ensuring the effective day to day operational running of the Mallinson Sports Centre for both school and public use to a high standard and in line with all relevant legislation.
The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, along with a positive and proactive attitude. The successful candidate will understand the importance of upholding the School’s ethos, the MSC’s brand reputation and incorporating and supporting the vision and ethos of the Sport and Exercise (SpEx) Department. They will need a successful and proven track record in management, including health and safety and staff management, delivery of training, recruitment. In addition to this a solid understanding of income generation strategies and commercial activities is essential.
Attention to detail and the ability to multitask are essential for success in this role. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, have a strong organisational skill, and enjoy contributing to the smooth operation of a sports facility within an educational setting, we would love to hear from you.
The Department
Sport has traditionally held a significant place in the life of Highgate School, and the sports facilities are excellent. The School has extensive playing fields covering some 20 acres with squash, tennis and Eton Fives courts. The Mallinson Sports Centre consists of a large sports hall, a cricket hall, a 25m swimming pool (recently refurbished), squash courts and a weights suite together with a social area, ancillary offices and changing accommodation. The Sports Centre services the needs of the extended school family and the local community as well as those of pupils. During term time the Centre is used exclusively by the School between 8am and 6pm and outside these times and at weekends the community use programme is in place.
THE ROLE
The main purpose of this post is to provide exceptional and professional leadership and management support to the General Manager and Mallinson Sports Centre.
Working closely with, and deputising for, the General Manager, this role will primarily be responsible for ensuring the effective day to day operational running of the Mallinson Sports Centre for both school and public use to a high standard and in line with all relevant legislation.
The successful candidate will understand the importance of upholding the School’s ethos, the MSC’s brand reputation and incorporating and supporting the vision and ethos of the Sport and Exercise (SpEx) Department.
They will need a successful and proven track record in management, including health and safety and staff management, delivery of training, recruitment. In addition to this a solid understanding of income generation strategies and commercial activities is essential.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
- In liaison with the General Manager, be responsible for the development and implementation of appropriate operational standards on site and the continuous development and maintenance of external accreditation.
- To manage the daily operation of the Centre, in order to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Centre’s NOP (Normal Operating Plan) and EAP (Emergency Action Plan) and to ensure the Centre’s operational procedures including safe systems of work are adhered to for both school and public.
- To ensure that all Health and Safety at Work Act regulations are applied and adhered to, and the continuous development and enhancement of the NOP and EAP in the management of public safety.
- Ensure that all concerns of a child safeguarding nature are referred in a timely and appropriate manner in accordance with Highgate Safeguarding Policy.
- To be a member of the Centre’s Management Team.
- To plan and implement an effective operational strategy with the General Manager that ensures an efficient and effective service to the Centre’s customers that is within the agreed budgets and resources.
- To develop and review yearly maintenance schedules providing for an ongoing rolling maintenance program, minimising equipment down time and maximising operational performance.
- Liaise with the General Manager/ maintenance team on building maintenance.
- To assist members of the Management Team in order to manage, organise and co-ordinate events, camps and courses, raising the overall profile of the Centre in relation to income generation.
- Assist the General Manager in developing new business strategies, ensuring the buildings potential is maximised.
- To provide the General Manager with reports on performance and assist in the compilation of other Centre reports.
- To co-ordinate all operational matters relating to the efficient and effective running of the Centre and effective financial control of all resources.
- Oversee the development of the Centre’s operational program, ensuring the facility is used to its maximum potential.
- To effectively perform all quality related tasks, as outlined in the operational procedures.
- To liaise with the wider school team, contractors and partners to ensure that the Centre receives an informed and effective service with minimum disruption to the Centre and its customers.
- To be responsible for the recruitment, induction, ongoing supervision and training of duty/operational staff, carrying out appraisals, training needs assessments as appropriate.
- To chair relevant Operations meetings and present reports and minutes from these to the General Manager.
- To chair Centre based Health & Safety team meetings.
- To be responsible for maintaining the recreation assistant cover at the Centre, including working regular operational shifts as a key holder and covering annual leave and sickness as required.
- Be a key holder, responsible for the security of the building and its environment, the proper functioning of the alarms and the answering of alarm calls when the Centre is closed.
- Deliver staff training and briefings to stay updated and to maintain and retain appropriate job specific qualifications.
- Lead on compliance and training for Mallinson staff, full-time and casuals, in line with Compliance department and relevant guidance.
- Delivery of RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society) monthly training and external Courses to generate commercial income.
- To make and keep ongoing and managing of the Mallinson Sports Centre to be a recognised training centre with the relevant bodies.
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Operations Manager will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the General Manager.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- RLSS Trainer Assessor qualification or the ability to obtain it within 6 months of start date.
- Pool Plant Operator qualification or ability to obtain it within 3 months of start date.
- Qualified and experienced National Pool Lifeguard or ability to obtain it within 3 months of start date.
- First Aid qualification or ability to obtain it within 3 months of start date.
Desirable
- Educated and qualified to Level 4 within a leisure or management related filed or equivalent.
- A relevant H&S qualification (e.g. IOSH) or ability to obtain one.
- Experience
Essential
- Experience of running an operational department, with particular emphasis on resource management, people management, income and budgetary control.
- Experience of managing a team including training, development, appraisals, performance management and recruiting staff.
- Understanding of relevant health and safety and employment legislation.
Desirable
- Experience of working in the education sector.
- Evidence of continued professional development.
- A track record of developing & implementing strategies.
- Skills / Abilities
Essential
- Excellent verbal, written and presentation communication skills, including the ability to influence and persuade.
- Good numerical and written skills.
- To be flexible in working arrangements/hours to suit the demands of the position.
- Attitude and Behaviours
- To be a role model and consistently set high standards and exceptional customer service, inspiring and demanding the same of the team.
- A professional, solutions-focused and proactive ‘can-do’ approach.
- Highly motivated and confident in relation to all aspects of the business.
- A team player who can develop and maintain good relationships and gain the confidence of other professionals.
- Always maintaining a smart appearance.
Benefits
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered – 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
Personal development | Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Holidays | Generous holiday allowance of 33 days (including bank holidays) for full-time staff. Most holidays will be taken during school holiday periods.
Lunch | A complimentary lunch.
Help with sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies | Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks’ full pay, then 10 weeks’ half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Sep 2024), it was noted that “The school states its aims are to be an academic school, a reflective community and an exemplar for the healthy life. It seeks to promote ‘scholarship for all’ and asserts an academic imperative to teach pupils how to be independent learners, and to normalise academic struggle, so pupils see challenge as an enjoyable and valuable aspect of their learning.”
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 10th January 2025
- Timing of interviews: Early 2025
Contact: Recruitment Team are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply hereInclusion
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
Safeguarding
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.