Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the strategic leadership and effective running of South Hampstead High School; the 2022 Independent Girls' School of the Year.
The role combines long-term planning with day-to-day oversight of staff and services, optimising resources, and driving service quality that enables staff to focus on the educational mission and smooth running of the school. As Head of Operations, you will be crucial to the efficient delivery of the school's operational functions, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for a number of key areas, such as facilities management, health and safety, enterprise and commercial development, and operations and events.
You will be responsible for managing in house teams and contractors, driving efficiency across various support services, commercialising school facilities, pursuing opportunities for cost savings and service improvements across the school's operational functions, and overseeing the smooth running of the estates, maintenance, cleaning, and security teams.
You will also work closely with the Director of Finance and Operations on building projects as well as the Premises Manager on health & safety management across the school. You will sometimes be required to deputise for the Director of Finance and Operations, ensuring continuity of leadership and accountability to keep the school running smoothly.
About You
You will need successful senior management experience, including experience of strategic planning, people management, administration, financial management, and project management.
Experience in property and facilities management and/or site development is essential.
You will also need the ability to resolve complex problems and situations, effectively using resources and utilising strategic thinking to ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.
About the School
Working at South Hampstead is stimulating, challenging and fun. Located in leafy Hampstead, with the buzz of central London's cultural life close at hand, the school is very well served by public transport and there are excellent local amenities nearby.
The school is part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools. We offer a variety of benefits, such as:
• Competitive salaries and pay progression
• Access to extensive professional development opportunities
• Training grants for qualifications
• Generous pension schemes
• Free life assurance benefit
• Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
• A Cycle to Work scheme
• Competitive terms and conditions of employment
• A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
To register your interest please click the apply button.
Closing date is Tuesday 4th November 2025 at 9am.
Our interview process is designed to give you a clear understanding of our school and the role while allowing us to get to know you better.
It consists of two stages:
First stage interviews will take place in week commencing 10th November 2025.
Final stage interviews will take place on Wednesday 19th November 2025.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the position or if an offer is made and accepted.
The school may also conduct online searches (including publicly available social media searches) as part of our recruitment processes.
The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.
We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.
