Job Description

: Operations & Compliance Manager (UK)

Reports to: UK Country Director

Location: Group of Schools (multi-site, UK) Contract Type: Full-time, with UK-wide travel

Purpose of the Role

The Operations & Compliance Manager will oversee operational standards, risk management, and regulatory compliance across the group of UK schools, ensuring best practice in safety, governance, and efficiency. Reporting directly to the UK Country Director, the postholder will provide leadership and hands on management of compliance, inspection readiness, and school wide capital projects.

A central responsibility of this role is to create and maintain a safe environment for all stakeholders ,pupils, staff, parents, and visitors across every school site, while embedding a proactive approach to risk identification, management, and assurance.

The Operations & Compliance Manager will work in close partnership with central Forfar teams and external consultants, ensuring group wide compliance with ISI, Ofsted, and UK HSE standards.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Inspection Readiness

Ensure group wide compliance with ISI and Ofsted frameworks.

Lead preparation and readiness for inspections, including policies, audits, and training.

Monitor regulatory changes and update policies and practices accordingly.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

Act as the lead contact for external HSE consultants.

Work in partnership with consultants to ensure all UK health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards are met.

Lead the Health & Safety hubs across schools, convening termly meetings with site representatives to review policies, risks, and improvement actions.

Promote and embed a culture of safety, ensuring that every site is a secureenvironment for pupils, staff, parents, and visitors.

Oversee risk assessments, incident investigations, and continuous improvement in safety management.

Support schools in managing critical incidents and post-incident reviews.

Operations, Risk & Capital Projects (CapEx)

Provide operational oversight across non-academic functions to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Oversee the compliance aspects of school-wide capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, working with contractors, consultants, and central Forfar teams.

Ensure all third party providers and contractors operate in compliance with safeguarding, HSE, and statutory requirements.

Maintain and oversee risk registers across all schools, ensuring risks are identified, recorded, and mitigated effectively.

Lead the development and maintenance of business continuity and emergency response plans, including fire, lockdown, and critical incident procedures.

Safeguarding (Operational)

Support safer recruitment practices, premises safety, and operational safeguarding measures across schools.

Ensure site access and contractor management processes meet safeguarding standards.

Policies, Training & Assurance

Review, update, and standardise compliance-related policies across the group.

Develop and deliver compliance training, workshops, and staff development sessions to embed a culture of accountability and inspection readiness.

Conduct internal audits, compliance reviews, and risk assurance checks, issuing mandatory action plans where non-compliance is found.

Establish and lead an annual compliance audit cycle with regular follow-ups.

Provide compliance dashboards, KPIs, and reports to the UK Country Director.

Work collaboratively with central Forfar teams to align compliance reporting, policies, and assurance frameworks.

Key Skills & Experience

Significant experience in an operations, risk, and compliance leadership role within education, ideally across multiple schools or sites.

In-depth knowledge of ISI, Ofsted, and HSE standards, with a strong track record in inspection preparation.

Proven expertise in risk management, including maintaining risk registers, assurance reporting, and business continuity planning.

Practical experience with health, safety, and environmental compliance; ability to manage and partner with external HSE consultants.

Experience overseeing capital projects and managing supplier/contractor compliance.

Strong track record of working effectively with central operations or group level functions to drive consistency and assurance.

Excellent project management, organisational, and problem solving skills.

Strong communicator and influencer, able to engage with senior leaders, regulators, and external partners.

Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly between schools.

Personal Attributes

Integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement.

Strategic mindset with strong attention to operational detail.

Collaborative and confident in working across both academic and support functions.

Resilient, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities under pressure.

Commitment to safeguarding, safety, and the wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 45,000.00-55,000.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London SW3 6AH