Ready for something a little different?

At INOVA Multi-Academy Trust, we’re more than just a group of schools—we’re a team united by shared values: innovation, collaboration, and excellence. As we grow and evolve, we remain focused on inspiring, supporting, and developing every member of our staff.

When you join INOVA, you become part of a forward-thinking community that values your ideas, invests in your development, and works together to make a real difference for children and young people.

Be part of our journey—explore opportunities with INOVA and help shape the future of education.

Working For Us

9
Schools
7K+
Learners
900+
Staff
1
Mission

 

By combining cutting-edge resources, expert coaching and mentorship, and a collaborative spirit, we empower individuals to reach new heights of achievement. 

We are committed to cultivating a culture of excellence, where each person can thrive and make a meaningful impact in their chosen field. 

Whatever our location, whatever our role, our values are lived daily and drive our culture and vision forwards:

 

INOVA Multi-Academy Trust Logo

Our Values

Innovation

  • We embrace forward thinking solutions
  • We experiment, learning from our success and failures
  • We champion the use of cutting-edge resources
  • We are agile in our approach
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Collaboration

  • We ensure a safe and transparent culture
  • We are proactively involved in our communities
  • We apply resilience and adaptability
  • We promote teamwork and inclusivity
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Excellence

  • We have high standards and expectations
  • We continually evaluate, seeking improvement
  • We insist on equity for all
  • We foster a culture of ownership and responsibility
Excellence Icon

We’re committed to creating a workplace where people can thrive—professionally and personally. In a sector where demands are high, we’re focused on reducing unnecessary pressures and supporting a healthy work/life balance through practical benefits, smart systems, and a strong culture of care.

Balance and Wellbeing

  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (for non term-time staff), rising to 30 days after 5 years

  • Aligned systems to save you time and reduce admin

  • Investment in technology to streamline tasks.

Health & Wellness

  • Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme

  • Discounted membership with Westfield Health

  • Occupational Health Support

  • Annual flu vaccinations

  • Eye care vouchers for eligible staff.

Financial Support

  • Competitive pension schemes (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme)

  • Salary sacrifice car scheme

  • Discount schemes 

  • Free staff parking for all colleagues.

 

Head Office

Our headquarters are based at Pennine Five in Sheffield city centre—a vibrant, modern office campus with excellent facilities and great transport links. The site features collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, a central plaza, and breakout areas designed for creativity and connection. Staff benefit from free, secure parking, high-speed internet, and cycle facilities, with cafés, shops, and green spaces just a short walk away. It’s a dynamic and well-connected base that supports both productivity and wellbeing.

Schools

Our schools are not just great places to learn—they’re also inspiring places to work. Each location offers its own unique benefits, from spacious campuses with extensive outdoor areas and sports fields, to modern facilities including well-equipped classrooms, staff lounges, and onsite gyms. Some schools are set in peaceful, green surroundings ideal for lunchtime walks or outdoor learning, while others are located close to local shops, cafés, and transport links—perfect for balancing work and life. Wherever you're based, you’ll find a supportive team environment and spaces designed to make your day-to-day experience enjoyable and fulfilling. 

Across our trust, you'll find a wide range of roles united by shared values and a commitment to making a difference. Whether you're leading a school, supporting operations, or working directly with pupils, every role matters—and every colleague is valued.

Leadership
Our leaders set the vision and drive improvement across our schools. Whether working at school level or as part of the wider trust leadership team, you’ll shape strategy, support staff, and foster a culture where pupils and colleagues can thrive. Leadership in our trust is collaborative, ambitious, and grounded in making a positive, sustainable impact.

Central Services
Our central services team provides the specialist expertise that keeps our schools running smoothly. From finance, HR, estates and governance to IT and communications, you’ll work across the trust to support schools, reduce duplication, and create efficiencies that allow more focus on teaching and learning.

Teaching
Classroom practitioners are at the heart of what we do. As a teacher in our trust, you’ll benefit from shared resources, cross-school collaboration, and access to high-quality professional development. We create the conditions where teachers can focus on teaching—supported by aligned systems, peer networks, and a clear curriculum vision.

Support
Our support staff play a vital role in creating inclusive, safe and engaging school environments. From pastoral teams and learning support assistants to technicians and site staff, you’ll help ensure that every child has the tools, care, and environment they need to succeed.

Administration
Administrators are the backbone of our schools, ensuring everything from communication and compliance to daily operations runs smoothly. You’ll be part of a trusted team, valued for your attention to detail, problem-solving, and the essential role you play in supporting both staff and families.

From your first day, you’ll have access to professional development through our Institute of Talent, offering a wide range of learning opportunities designed to support your growth, ambition, and career progression.

Explore Our Current Vacancies within the Trust

We are seeking an ambitious and highly effective Trust Attendance Partner to lead our strategic approach to attendance across a cluster of schools, helping to ensure every pupil attends regularly, thrives and achieves their full potential.

Working collaboratively with school leaders, pastoral teams, families, local authorities and external agencies, the postholder will reduce persistent absence, improve attendance outcomes and ensure compliance with statutory guidance. Key responsibilities include:

  • Driving a culture where attendance is everyone's responsibility, using evidence-informed strategies to address barriers to attendance.
  • Developing a strong and consistent attendance culture across a cluster of schools.
  • Ensuring statutory compliance and sharing best practice to promote consistency and continuous improvement.
  • Leading professional development and training on attendance and related policy updates.
  • Contributing to Trust-wide professional learning events and conferences.
  • Supporting attendance casework across the assigned school cluster.
  • Working with the Director of Digital to maximise the effective use of attendance systems and tools in support of the Trust's Attendance Strategy.

The role involves close collaboration with Executive Directors, Headteachers, Heads of School, Attendance Leads, Designated Safeguarding Leads and external safeguarding partners where appropriate.

Salary Range: L5 - L9 (Primary Cluster), L13 - L17 (Secondary Cluster)

Hours of Work: Full time, 52 weeks per year

Responsible To: Executive Director

Location: Multi-site school based

Attendance

  • With the Chief Inclusion Officer, lead on all aspects of attendance across the organisation, keeping fully informed of statutory guidance and all current risks ensuring the school leader, Executive and Trustees are able to identify and respond as necessary.
  • To ensure that Attendance policies and procedures across the Cluster are compliant with statutory guidelines and reflective of best practice.
  • Support quality assurance processes with Chief Quality Assurance Officer for Attendance across the cluster, including evaluating the effectiveness of Attendance policies and procedures.
  • To ensure all schools within the cluster promote good attendance through their curriculum planning.
  • To work across different clusters at INOVA MAT as required to support schools to maintain or improve rates of attendance at the academy.
  • Establish consistent attendance systems, procedures and expectations across all schools.
  • Monitor attendance trends and performance indicators, identifying areas for improvement.
  • Provide strategic advice and challenge to Headteachers, Senior Leaders and Governing Bodies regarding attendance performance.
  • Lead attendance improvement projects and initiatives across the cluster.

Developing practice and working with others

  • To maintain clear lines of communication and reporting in the Trust relevant to cluster.
  • To provide support and advice to Attendance leads, Executive Directors, Headteachers and Trust.
  • Provide advice and guidance to the Trust and schools within a cluster, on the requirements to fulfil its statutory attendance duty.
  • To design, provide or broker training for staff, leadership, attendace teams, Governors, and Trustees in conjunction with Chief Inclusion Officer.
  • To provide coaching and mentoring for newly appointed Attendance Lead(s).
  • To ensure the Trust has the appropriate capacity, skills and expertise to meet statutory Attendance requirements and needs.
  • To design, develop and maintain a bank of Attendance resources for the Trust. Including collaboration with other Attendance leads.
  • To contribute to Attendance briefings and meetings to share best practice at school, cluster and Trust level.
  • To promote support for families that may be facing challenging circumstances through both internal and external Early Help.
  • To maintain good relationships with external Attendance agencies in the local authorities.

Quality Assurance, Attendance Monitoring and Analysis

  • Analyse attendance data across all relevant schools and pupil groups.
  • Produce regular attendance reports for INOVA MAT Progress Boards, Executive Directors, trustees and governors.
  • Identify patterns of absence, persistent absence and severe absence.
  • Utilise data to target intervention and evaluate impact.
  • Benchmark attendance performance against national, regional and local data.

Intervention and Case Management

  • Coordinate support for vulnerable groups including:
    • Disadvantaged pupils
    • Pupils with SEND
    • Children in Need
    • Children Looked After
    • Young Carers
    • Pupils with medical needs
  • Escalate cases appropriately where statutory intervention is required.

Partnership Working

  • Build effective relationships with parents, carers and families.
  • Act as the key liaison between schools and external agencies.
  • Work closely with:
    • Local Authority Attendance Services
    • Education Welfare Services
    • Social Care
    • Health Services
    • Early Help Services
    • Alternative Provision Providers
  • Represent the cluster at multi-agency meetings.

Other responsibilities

  • To contribute towards and participate in Trust-led internal academy and cluster reviews.
  • To support academies in their preparation for external inspection.
  • To promote the aims, values and ethos of the Trust.
  • To adhere to all Trust and academy policies and procedures.
  • To maintain discretion when privy to confidential information.
  • To participate in any appropriate meetings with colleagues.
  • To participate in performance management arrangements.
  • To undertake further training as required.
  • To be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • To work flexibly, prioritise workload and use one’s initiative.
  • To carry out any other duties appropriate to the post, as required.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Full clean driving licence.
  • Evidence of continuing professional development – qualifications or equivalent.
  • Highly developed specialist experience at a senior level dealing with children and staff.
  • Experience of working in a multi-setting organisation (desirable).
  • Experience of working with multi-agencies.
  • Experience of strategic planning and management of safeguarding services.
  • Experience of managing compliance.
  • Experience of coaching.
  • Experience of delivering training.

Skills and Knowledge

  • Can demonstrate an impact on attendance rates at whole academy level.
  • Experience and good working knowledge of Bromcom, A Star Attendance and SOL Attendance preferable.
  • Knowledge of national policy, legislation and requirements with regard to attendance.
  • Current working knowledge of attendance legislation and statutory guidance.
  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of education safeguarding inspection processes.
  • Preparation of management information and reports.
  • Highly developed influencing skills at all levels.
  • Strong negotiation skills.
  • Able to contribute and be a key part of executive and senior leadership management meetings.
  • Ability to take and be accountable for decisions, balancing risk against value as appropriate.
  • Proven ability to manage and influence staff and leadership teams.
  • Effective stakeholder management.
  • Lead by example, promoting the highest standards of integrity, personal and professional conduct.
  • Knowledge and understanding of policies and processes.
  • Proven track record of managing and implementing attendance policies and processes in a large organisation.
  • Good written and verbal communication and IT skills and ability to relate well to all stakeholders.

Personal Attributes and Behaviour

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Capable of representing the Trust with professional bodies and external stakeholders.
  • Strongly collaborative with peers.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and develop relationships.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Ability to work confidently, professionally and flexibly.
  • Ability to own and solve problems bringing in support from other areas as appropriate.
  • Local Government pension scheme​
  • Cycle to work scheme​
  • Discounted membership for Westfield Health​
  • Continuous CPD and training
  • BUPA Healthy Minds scheme
  • Annual flu vaccinations
  • Eye care vouchers for eligible colleagues
  • Discount schemes for public service staff
  • Free parking at all INOVA sites 

Applications for this role must be made via our Employment Application Form below and emailed to info@inovamat.org.

The closing date for applications is Monday 28 September 2026 at 9.00am. Interviews will be held w/c 28 September.

Please note that part-completed application forms will not be considered.

Any queries should be directed to info@inovamat.org.

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Safeguarding

INOVA Multi-Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all of our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All candidates will be subject to the following employment checks:

Shortlisted Candidates:

  • References will be requested before interview
  • A Criminal Convictions Disclosure Form will be requested at interview
  • Evidence of right to work in the UK will be requested at interview
  • Qualification certificates will be requested at interview
  • Disclosures concerning child protection investigations, relationships with pupils, employees, governors or trustees, prohibition orders and section 128 directions (where applicable) will be requested at interview
  • We may conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates prior to making our final decision. If any information obtained from the online searches raises concerns around someone’s suitability for the role, or working with children, then this may be raised with the candidate at interview and/or we may take advice from the local authority children’s service.

 

Please Note: Canvassing of any employee, Trustee or member of the Local Governing Board, directly or indirectly, and your application will be disqualified.

 

Policies

Our approach to safeguarding and school safeguarding policies can be found on the Trust website.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all and ensuring that all stages of recruitment and selection are fair and that applicants are not discriminated against on the grounds of race, nationality, gender religion, age, disability, marital status or sexual orientation.

Data Protection

As part of the recruitment process, we need to collect your personal data. For more information about what we do with your personal data, please see our Recruitment Privacy Notice on the policies page of our website.

The School Operations Manager (Secondary) is the senior non-teaching operational leader within the school, responsible for the effective day-to-day management of all operational and administrative services.

The role ensures that Trust policies, systems and statutory requirements are implemented consistently at school level, and that the school operates efficiently, safely and compliantly. The postholder works in close partnership with central Trust functions.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Secondary Headteacher
DIRECT REPORTS: Reception, Student Services, Cover, Reprographics
KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Finance Business Partner, People Business Partner, Estates, Digital/IT, Marketing
LOCATION: School based
GRADE/SALARY: Grade 7 SCP 27 – 31
CONTRACT: Full time, 52 weeks

Operational Leadership & School Administration

  • Coordinate all non-teaching operational functions within the school, in close partnership with Trust colleagues.
  • Act as the primary operational adviser to the Headteacher and senior leadership team.
  • Ensure school processes, records and systems operate in line with Trust standards.
  • Maintain oversight of daily operational activity, resolving issues promptly and escalating where required.
  • Line manage the cover manager. Monitor cover trends, absence patterns and associated spend, providing reports and recommendations to school leadership, and provide relief cover as needed.
  • Support and oversee the operational administration and compliance associated with educational visits, trips and enrichment activities, including the effective management of ParentPay systems, payments, consent processes, financial reconciliation and associated records, ensuring compliance with Trust financial regulations, safeguarding requirements and educational visits procedures.
  • Be Evolved trained and be the Evolve approver for visits on behalf of the Head of School/Headteacher.
  • Coordinate leave of absence and trip requests, ensuring these are processed in line with trust policy and procedure.
  • Manage the maintenance and bookings of the school minibuses.
  • Oversee Cashless catering, Free School meals.

Line Management & Workforce Oversight

  • Line manage operational staff including:

- Reception staff

- Administrative staff

- Reprographics staff

- Cleaning staff

- Catering Staff

  • Set clear expectations, manage performance and ensure appropriate staff cover.
  • Support staff development and wellbeing.

Catering and Cleaning Responsibility

  • Lead and oversee the delivery of catering and cleaning services across the school, ensuring high standards of service, cleanliness, compliance and value for money.
  • Act as the key operational liaison with internal teams and external providers in relation to catering and cleaning performance, staffing, standards, audits and service issues.
  • Monitor service delivery, resolve day-to-day issues promptly, and escalate contractual or performance concerns where required.
  • Manage Cashless catering, Free School meals.

Health, Safety & Statutory Compliance

  • Coordinate school-level compliance activity including:

- Health & Safety processes & risk assessments
- Data protection (GDPR).

  • Work closely with Trust Estates and Digital teams to address issues, log requests and support delivery.
  • Act as a designated first aider and ensure robust first aid arrangements are in place across the school, including incident response, record keeping, stock checks and appropriate escalation of medical or welfare concerns.
  • Support the school’s wider health and safety compliance arrangements, risk management and emergency procedures, including development of policies around this.

Working with Central Trust Functions

 

  • Act as the school’s operational point of contact for:

- Finance Business Partner – providing information, supporting processes and implementing agreed actions
- People Business Partner – maintaining personnel records, workforce administration, maintaining absence records, return to work meetings, leave of absence processes, staffing changes, Single Central Record, School Workforce Census, timesheets and expenses, risk assessments
- Estates – premises issues, works coordination, compliance activity
- Digital / IT – system access, equipment and operational digital needs.

  • Implement agreed actions from central teams but does not approve budgets, authorise spend or make financial decisions.

Communication and Collaboration

  • Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the Trust.
  • Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, knowing how and when to draw on advice and specialist support.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

  • Significant experience in school operations (secondary environment preferred).
  • Proven experience managing diverse operational teams.

Desirable

  • Experience within a Multi Academy Trust.
  • Relevant qualification in school business, administration or operations.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • Strong understanding of Customer Service, Health and Safety, GDPR and HR.
  • Ability to work effectively with centralised Trust functions.

Personal Attributes and Behaviours

Essential

  • Aspire to reflect the INOVA values and ethos in professional conduct and communication within the Trust.
  • Have a flexible work approach.
  • Have the ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people.
  • Have a commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
  • Act in accordance with the Trust’s Code of Conduct (and for teachers - Teachers’ Standards).
  • Forge positive professional relationships.

Other Requirements 

 

  • Evidence of a commitment to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people.
  • Show a commitment and proactive approach to drive forward equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion and to own personal development.
  • Local Government pension scheme​
  • Cycle to work scheme​
  • Discounted membership for Westfield Health​
  • Continuous CPD and training
  • BUPA Healthy Minds scheme
  • Annual flu vaccinations
  • Eye care vouchers for eligible colleagues
  • Discount schemes for public service staff
  • Free parking at all INOVA sites

The duties of this post may vary from time to time according to the needs of the school/Trust and are not exhaustive, the postholder may be required to undertake tasks, roles and responsibilities as may be reasonably assigned to them following consultation with the job holder.

  • This job description will be kept under review and may be amended via consultation with the individual, Governing Body and/or Senior Leadership Team as required. Trade union representation will be welcomed in any such discussions.
  • The postholder will be required to undertake the supervision of pupils during break and lunchtimes on a rota basis, as directed by the school. Duties will include overseeing pupils in designated areas, promoting positive behaviour, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all pupils and responding appropriately to all incidents in line with school policies and procedures. The postholder is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure consistent standards of supervision and to follow any reasonable instructions from senior staff in relation to these duties.
  • Provide contingency exam invigilation support during peak exam periods, ensuring smooth and compliant examination processes as and when required.
  • The postholder is expected to participate and engage with workplace learning and development opportunities to continually improve their own performance.
  • The postholder is expected to engage positively in a coaching culture to support personal development, performance improvement and continuous learning.
  • The postholder may deal with sensitive material and should maintain confidentiality in all school related matters as set out in their statement of terms and condition of employment.
  • You are expected to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and to be mindful of the safety of others, to cooperate with instructions, to minimise and mitigate potential hazards and risks to others and to appropriately report hazards, illnesses or injuries in accordance with our Health & Safety Policy. 

This job description provides a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be asked to undertake any other relevant duties and responsibilities appropriate and commensurate to the post.

To find out more about INOVA Multi-Academy Trust, download our information pack below. 

Please apply via our TES page. 

Start date: As soon as possible
Apply by: 8:00am, 21 September 2026
 
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Explore Our Current Vacancies within our Schools

We are always looking for passionate individuals to join our team. Explore our current TES vacancies and find the perfect opportunity to make a difference.

Our Recruitment Process

At INOVA we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and expect all staff, volunteers and external partners to share this commitment. We believe recruitment should be both rigorous and fair, reflecting our core values of innovation, collaboration and excellence.

We strive to make our recruitment process as transparent and straightforward as possible, while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and child protection. Here's what you can expect when applying to join the INOVA community: 

Step 1 - Application 

Begin by exploring our current job listings. Once you find a role that matches your skills and passion, complete and submit your application form (through the TES portal). We recommend providing detailed and relevant information, particularly on how your experience aligns with the role and our Trust's mission.

Step 2 - Shortlisting

All applications are carefully reviewed. We assess each candidate against the person specification and essential criteria outlined in the job description. If you are shortlisted, we will contact you to arrange an interview and begin initial safeguarding checks, including reference requests and online searches, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines.

Step 3 - Interview

Our interviews are designed to assess both your professional competencies and your alignment with our values. The process may include: 

  • A panel interview with school and Trust leaders
  • A practical task or presentation, depending on the role
  • Questions focused around safeguarding, equality, and your understanding of working with children.

Step 4 - Offer

If you are successful, we will make a formal offer of employment. This is conditional on the satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks, including references, DBS clearance, qualifications, and right-to-work verification.

Our HR team will then guide you through the onboarding process, ensuring all paperwork and safeguarding training is completed.

Step 5 - Welcome to INOVA!

Once you have accepted your offer and all checks are complete, we'll officially welcome you to INOVA Multi-Academy Trust. You'll receive a comprehensive induction, access to ongoing professional development, and support from colleagues across our schools.

From your very first day, you'll be part of a vibrant, values-driven community dedicated to transforming lives through the power of learning.

Meet Our Team 

At INOVA our staff are at the heart of everything we do. Meet some of the incredible individuals who help make INOVA Multi-Academy Trust such a special place to work.

Meet The Team