Operational Assurance Officer
Amethyst Academies Trust
Salary: NJC Grade 6, Point 17 – 22 (£36,363 – £40,777)
Contract: 37 hours per week (Permanent, working from home 1 day per week)
Reporting to: Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Location: Central Office (Penn Hall School), with travel across Trust schools
We are committed to flexible working and welcome discussions around arrangements that support individual and family needs.
Opportunity
Working closely with the Chief Operations Officer, you will serve as a key partner in ensuring the Trust remains compliant, safe, and operationally robust. Combining analytical rigor with a proactive, solutions-focused approach, you will:
- Provide operational assurance across all Trust sites and functions
- Strengthen compliance systems, ensuring statutory requirements are consistently met
- Undertake audits, inspections and reviews to identify risk and drive improvement
- Support schools to improve practice, offering constructive challenge and guidance
- Track actions and ensure delivery, maintaining clear audit trails and evidence
- Contribute to Trust-wide risk management and reporting
This role is designed as a development pathway into senior operational leadership, providing exposure to governance, executive decision-making and strategic projects.
Areas of Responsibility
Sites & Estates Assurance
- Oversee site compliance across Trust schools
- Conduct regular site visits, inspections and reviews
- Monitor contractor arrangements and follow up actions
- Escalate risks and compliance issues appropriately
Health & Safety & Statutory Compliance
- Coordinate health & safety audits and action plans
- Support risk assessments and post-incident learning
- Monitor accident and incident data, including RIDDOR
- Ensure the Trust remains inspection-ready
Statutory Training & Compliance Framework
- Maintain a Trust-wide statutory training system
- Track compliance, renewal cycles and escalation
- Produce termly assurance reports
Risk Management & Assurance
- Identify and track operational risks
- Maintain action plans and mitigation strategies
- Provide risk intelligence to support Trust reporting
- Act as an escalation point for significant incidents
Operational Assurance & Reporting
- Produce clear, high-quality reports for senior leaders and Trustees
- Maintain auditable records of compliance, inspections and actions
- Support Audit & Risk Committee reporting
Policy to Practice Assurance
- Test and evaluate whether operational practice aligns with Trust policy
- Identify gaps and support continuous improvement
Who We Are Looking For
Qualifications and Experience
- Experience within a school or Trust operational environment
- Strong knowledge of health & safety and statutory compliance
- Proven ability to implement systems and track compliance
- Experience producing reports for senior leaders or governance
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail
- The ability to work independently and prioritise effectively
Business Skills and Personal Attributes
- A highly organised and methodical approach
- Confidence to support and challenge professionally
- A strong sense of accountability and integrity
- A commitment to continuous professional development
Experience working across multiple schools or within a MAT is advantageous.
Why Join Amethyst Academies Trust?
- Places children and families at the heart of every decision
- Invests in your professional development and career progression
- Offers a clear pathway into senior operational leadership
- Promotes collaboration across a strong family of schools
- Provides a competitive benefits package and wellbeing support
The Impact You Will Have
Your work will directly contribute to ensuring our schools are safe, compliant and operationally effective. You will help strengthen systems, reduce risk and improve the environments in which our pupils learn and thrive. This is an excellent opportunity for an aspiring school business or operational leader to develop within a high-performing Trust.
Safeguarding Commitment
Amethyst Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS clearance, satisfactory references and pre-employment checks in line with statutory guidance.
Join us in helping every child Aspire, Achieve, Together.
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