Job Title: Operations Manager
Actual Annual Salary: Starting from £36,567 - £39,013 (Based on hours and working weeks)
Full Time Equivalent Salary: £39,649 - £42,301 (CLF Grade F). Based on 37 hours per week, all year round.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, Term Time Only plus Inset days and 15 additional days worked during school holidays.
Additional role info: Located on the former Weston Airfield site, Airfield Primary Academy will serve the communities of Haywood Village.
Provisional Start Date: 29 June 2026 (Subject to completion of pre-employment checks)
Your opportunity to help launch a brand‑new primary school
This is an exciting and rare opportunity to join Airfield Primary Academy, a brand‑new primary school opening in September 2026, as part of the founding team working alongside the Principal and Reception Class Teacher to bring a new academy to life.
Opening initially with one Reception class, Airfield Primary Academy will welcome its first 30 pupils and grow year on year to become a thriving three‑form‑entry primary school with nursery, serving the expanding Haywood Village community in Weston‑super‑Mare.
As the founding Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in designing, establishing and leading all operational, administrative and compliance processes from day one. With no existing systems in place, this role offers a unique chance to shape how the academy functions and develops as it grows.
The Role:
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and solutions‑focused Operations Manager to lead and operate all administrative, operational, compliance, data and health and safety functions across the academy.
Working in close partnership with the Principal, you will develop all operational and administrative processes and procedures that ensure the smooth running of a new and growing school. You will be the academy’s only administrative professional in its opening year, responsible for building and managing all operational structures, including:
Managing all data systems, including statutory returns and pupil information
Leading parent communication and engagement, ensuring timely, clear and effective communication
Overseeing compliance, safeguarding checks, GDPR and the Single Central Record
Leading health and safety processes, risk assessments and site‑safety arrangements
Coordinating academy events, calendars, trips, communications and logistics
Providing professional administrative support to the Principal and staff
Supporting recruitment, HR administration and day‑to‑day operational decision‑making
This is an exceptional role for someone who thrives on variety, enjoys building systems from scratch and is motivated by being part of a small, collaborative team establishing something new and meaningful.
About you:
- Hold (or be working towards) a business‑related qualification at NVQ Level 4 or equivalent, with strong literacy and numeracy skills (GCSE English and Maths A*–C or equivalent).
- Substantial experience in senior administration and/or operations roles.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, data protection, compliance and health & safety processes.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office and confident using digital systems, including MIS platforms.
- Able to plan, prioritise and problem‑solve effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
- Skilled in building positive, professional relationships with staff, families, contractors and external partners.
- Confident communicating clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Experienced in leading or line‑managing staff, supporting development and coordinating workloads.
- Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
- Passionate about contributing to a safe, inclusive and high‑quality school environment.
- Committed to equality, inclusion and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification, prior to submitting an application.
About Airfield Primary Academy:
Airfield Primary Academy is a brand‑new primary school opening in September 2026 on the former Weston Airfield site in Haywood Village, Weston-Super-Mare. The school will serve the local community of Haywood Village, a growing development of around 6,500 homes, and will form an integral part of the area’s educational provision.
The academy will open initially with 30 Reception pupils, growing year by year to accommodate up to 630 pupils when full. In addition, the site will include a 102‑place nursery offering all‑year‑round provision for children aged 2–4, with separate access and a dedicated kitchen.
The purpose‑built school will be set within extensive outdoor spaces designed to support learning and play, including nature areas, grass and all‑weather sports pitches and shared community sports facilities. These resources will help establish the academy as a vibrant hub for both education and community life.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to a generous pension through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Generous annual leave.
- A comprehensive induction and ongoing commitment to wellbeing and career progression, through a range of training, apprenticeships and in-role/wider-trust development opportunities.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking plus many more!
Recruitment timeline:
• Closing Date: 22 April 2026 @11.59pm
• Shortlisting: 23 April 2025
• Interviews: 06 May 2025
For informal discussions about the role/to find out more, please email CLFs Recruitment Team directly (details can be found on the 'Contact Us' page on CLFs website, or in the 'Application Instructions' section when applying).
As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs – a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form.
We are unable to offer sponsorship with this role.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
