Please note this is a Trust role across all our schools, and not solely for Cherry Fields Primary School.

GLF Schools has an exciting opportunity for a Business and Operations Manager, with experience in school business functions and a proven track record in providing operational support to schools.

The opportunity

The successful candidate will work as part of GLF Schools’ Business and Operations team, using their previous school office experience and expertise to provide operational guidance to school leaders and office teams. In this role, you will have the knowledge and skills to manage, develop and coordinate operational support across the trust and schools, collaborating across a wide range of business and specialist functions. We are looking for generalist school business management skills, and the candidate must be able to deliver guidance and manage projects in school business processes including (but not limited to) lettings, wrap-around provision and low-value procurement (below tender threshold).

The post can be based at any of our Trust offices (Banstead, Crawley, Caterham, Camberley or Banbury), and there are opportunities for hybrid working. There will be a requirement for travel to our 43 academies and the Trust office as needed.

We are looking to recruit to a full-time post (36 hours a week) working across the full year or Term Time plus 3 weeks but will consider applications for staggered start / finish times. Please indicate in your supporting statement (within the application form) your preferred working pattern.

What we are looking for

• Strong operational experience in school settings – with a solid understanding of school office functions and a proven track record of supporting or managing school administrative teams.
• Excellent IT proficiency – including advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), and familiarity with MIS, SharePoint and other collaborative platforms. Confidence in using digital tools to streamline processes is essential.
• Demonstrated expertise in project management – including planning, business analysis and implementation to ensure projects are delivered on-time while ensuring quality outcomes and stakeholder alignment.
• Leadership and relationship-building skills – able to earn the trust of school leaders and office teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities – capable of engaging effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Versatile school business management expertise – with the ability to quickly adapt to new systems, policies and train staff across various office procedures.

Join the GLF Schools Community

As a part of GLF Schools, you will join a community of staff dedicated to transforming education. With regular progression discussions, there will be a wealth of opportunities for you to grow your career, whether in one of our 43 academies or in our central team.

• A growing Multi Academy Trust with over 2,000 colleagues and over 16,000 pupils
• Founded upon the values of Respect, Inclusivity, Integrity and Kindness
• 43 primary and secondary schools across 7 Local Authority areas across the south of England
• We work as a community whilst ensuring each school maintains its own unique identity
• Committed to ensuring all children and young people receive the best possible education

GLF Schools Employment Offer

GLF Schools has a generous employment offer, which allows all our colleagues to Grow, Learn and Flourish

• Access to our highly competitive Pension Scheme
• Flexible working options
• Generous holiday allowance
• Work life and family friendly policies
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Access to a staff benefits portal
• Community and collaboration working model

The Details

Hours: This role is offered on a full-time basis, either across the full calendar year (52 weeks) or during term time with an additional three weeks. Applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements will be considered, provided such arrangements are compatible with the operational requirements of our schools. Please indicate your preferred working pattern in your application.

Contract: Permanent

Grade: Senior Specialist

Annual Salary: £34,429 full-time equivalent. Please note full-time equivalent salary will be pro-rata’d based on actual hours agreed.

Advert Closing date: 8th December 2025 9am

Interview date: 11th December 2025 

Start date: As soon as possible 

As a Trust, we are happy to discuss flexible working opportunities. GLF Schools recognises and celebrates the diversity of its schools and their communities. There is a shared commitment across the Trust to develop further a culture of respect, where discrimination is not tolerated, and individuals are treated equitably and fairly and feel a sense of belonging. We strive for an inclusive environment where staff, children and students are comfortable to express their own identity, should they wish, in which diversity and inclusion is of mutual benefit for everyone in our schools. We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented groups including those based on ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

We reserve the right to withdraw this vacancy at any time ahead of the closing date if there is a good level of response. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application as early as possible.

We also reserve the right to interview shortlisted candidates ahead of the closing date.

Please be advised that references may be requested on receipt of your application. Please state if you wish this to be delayed until shortlisting/interviews have taken place.