Head of Operations and Facilities

**Company Overview**

Taunton School is a large, exciting and diverse organisation in the education sector. We are ambitious without pretence and extraordinarily friendly, fostering relationships based on mutual respect among all members of our school community.

We aspire to deliver exceptional every day, whilst creating a welcoming and supportive environment where individuals can thrive, find their exceptional, and be celebrated. Our 3 cornerstone values are Humility, Engagement and Kindness. If this sounds like a cultural fit for you, and you meet the job requirements, we would love to hear from you.

**Summary**

The Head of Operations & Facilities is a unique and busy position, responsible for leading the day-to-day provision of the services that support the school, along with your team who manage transport, catering, housekeeping, site security and caretaking, and our sports club & swim school. This role is a crucial role, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently - put simply, you keep the school ticking

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, and sitting on the Operational & Business Services Management team, you will drive continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring the delivery of operational excellence.

Previous experience within an educational setting would be an advantage but is not essential.

**Responsibilities**

**Operational - Transport**
- Optimise Transport services for efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Continuously review existing processes and systems, and explore alternative solutions with the Transport Management Team
- Effectively communicate with the Transport Management Team to achieve business objectives
- Ensure compliance with organisational and statutory requirements regarding operator licence, health & safety, service, quality, driver’s hours and tacho requirements
- Work with the Director of Commercial Enterprises to ensure the transport fleet is maximised and utilised beyond the day-to-day operations

**Operational - Site Security & Caretaking**
- Lead the department to ensure efficient and safe operation of security and caretaking
- Optimise Site Security through the School Keepers for efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Co-ordinate the actions of the department in managing day to day activity in the school and reacting to emergency situations
- Ensure the premises are maintained and services are provided in a proactive and cost-effective manner
- Work with the Director of Commercial Enterprises to ensure site security in connection with internal and external events, venue hire etc.

**Operational - Housekeeping**
- Optimise Housekeeping for efficiency and cost effectiveness, in conjunction with the Housekeeping Manager
- Ensure the provision of an excellent housekeeping service, including boarding houses, classrooms, offices, laundry etc.
- Ensure that the needs of the school are met at all times

**Operational - Catering**
- Oversee the catering operations ensuring seamless service delivery to stakeholders
- Monitor and ensure operational efficiencies and stakeholder satisfaction
- Champion environmentally and socially responsible practices, embedding food waste management strategies into daily operations
- Drive waste reduction, sustainable sourcing, and energy efficiency initiatives
- Build positive, credible and collaborative relationships & communication methods with key stakeholders
- Create a culture of excellence with the team, continually striving to deliver an exceptional and innovative service

**Operational - Sports Club and Swim School**
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Sports Club and Swim School ensuring a safe and exceptional service for stakeholders
- Optimise these areas for efficiency, cost effectiveness, and maximum utilisation, in conjunction with the Director of Commercial Enterprise
- Ensure the highest standards in quality and safety control measures

**Leadership**
- Lead and inspire a team of Department Heads/Managers and their own teams to optimise service, underpinned by a structured approach with appropriate focus on compliance with relevant company polices, standards and employment principles
- Continually look to develop teams through mentoring, training, recognition, and empowerment
- Provide clear communication, training, and support to ensure the team is fully aligned with the operational and strategic goals
- Appraise and, where required, performance manage direct reports
- Take responsibility for department budget preparation and monitoring
- Ensure the immediate resolution of operational issues or complaints, working with team leads as appropriate, and ensure that corrective long-term action has been taken
- Coordinate the communication of the operations teams and any alterations or disruptions to services
- Coordinate any event or space planning such as team moves and meeting room configuration
- Work with the Director of Commercial Enterprises to ensure that internal and external events run smoothly a