Director of Operations & People

Job Description:

Director of Operations & People
Leicestershire
C£80,000p.a. + exceptional benefits

• Do you thrive on creating thriving workplace cultures where people feel valued and inspired?
• Are you a strategic leader who knows how to drive impact through people, systems, and innovation?
• Do you want to make a difference to employees, communities and young people across a growing trust?

The Company:
ER Recruitment is excited to be working exclusively with Open Thinking Partnership (OTP). OTP is a values-driven education trust committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for children and young people. OTP fosters a culture of support, accountability, and continual improvement. The Trust prioritises people, equality, and impact in every decision. OTP is an employer of choice across its local areas and actively champions innovation, inclusion, and leadership development.

Role & Responsibilities of the Director of Operations & People:

• Provide visible, inspiring leadership aligned with OTP's ethos and strategic goals.
• Work alongside the CEO and Executive Head Teachers to deliver a strategy that supports strong schools, sustainable growth, and better outcomes for children.
• Lead central operations, including HR, IT, Finance, and estates, to drive consistency, high performance, and safe, fit-for-purpose learning environments, while providing strategic guidance to the Board of Trustees.
• Drive a culture of collaborative team performance and professional development, within your own team and across the organisation, to meet the organisational goals. 
• Monitor, evaluate and enhance systems and strategies for continuous improvement.
• Lead and support organisational change with proactive and effective operational practices.
• Promote safeguarding and wellbeing throughout all people, finance, and operational processes.
• Shape and deliver approaches that attract, support, and grow great people—helping them thrive so we can achieve the best outcomes for children.
• Build strong partnerships with colleagues and stakeholders to shape decisions and drive positive outcomes for the Trust.

About You as the Director of Operations & People:

• A natural leader who develops a culture of motivating others, creating trust, and who generates a strong sense of shared purpose.
• A confident communicator who thrives on collaboration and builds strong partnerships, listens well, and knows when to lead, involve, or support.
• Brings focus and positivity through change, always working towards the best outcomes for children and young people.
• Strong eye for detail, but always thinking about the bigger picture, balancing value for money with the human impact of every decision.
• Calm under pressure, reflective, and not afraid to learn or adapt when things don’t go to plan.
• A drive to improve, always exploring better ways of working that keep the children at the heart of everything.

Additional Benefits:

• 27 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays, with the ability to buy additional leave (subject to conditions). Additional 5 days holiday added following 5 years’ continuous service.
• Free on site parking.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Ability to work from multiple sites.
• Smart Clinic (Employee Assistance Programme).
• Work with a passionate team driven by purpose and values
• Opportunity to shape the future of an ambitious education trust including helping to open a new school in 2027.

OTP is committed to safeguarding & promoting the welfare of children & young people, & expects all staff & volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check & other pre-employment checks in line with safer recruitment practices.

While we aim to get back to all applicants however if you do not receive a response within seven working days then unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Please note by applying for this role you give consent for ER Recruitment to retain your CV for up to 24 months for the purposes of assisting you to find your next role unless you notify us otherwise.

We are here to help with your career so please send a copy of your CV to us. If you know of anyone else who is looking for their next opportunity, please feel free to refer them to us or pass on our details.

We look forward to hearing from you.