Operations Manager

Overview

Ipswich High School is a vibrant day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-18, set in an idyllic 87-acre campus in Woolverstone on the banks of the River Orwell, just four miles outside Ipswich. With approximately 520 pupils, we are a small school with amazing facilities, which include a theatre, indoor 25 metre swimming pool, dance studio, dedicated food and design technology area, multiple outdoor sports facilities, fitness suite and a Sixth Form suite based in Woolverstone Hall.

We have small classes of hard-working pupils and inspirational teachers who help to instil a love of learning, the results of which are exceptional academic outcomes year on year.

We believe in getting to know every pupil and building positive relationships to ensure that everyone in our community is inspired, happy and successful. Our vision is to prepare our pupils to thrive in the 21st Century by providing them with the educational foundations to flourish.

At the heart of a successful school is an environment where pupils feel safe, staff feel supported and everything works as it should — often without being noticed. We are now looking for an Operations Manager who understands just how vital that quiet excellence is.

This is a key leadership role for someone who takes pride in high standards, clear systems and well-run spaces, and who enjoys working as part of a close-knit school community. The Operations Manager will ensure that our site, facilities and operational services are safe, compliant, well maintained and welcoming, allowing teaching and learning to flourish.

Working closely with the Head and Senior Leadership Team, the postholder will lead health and safety, estates and facilities, site security, transport oversight and contractor management. They will bring calm authority, sound judgement and a collaborative approach, balancing day-to-day operational demands with longer-term planning and improvement.

We are looking for someone who is practical, organised, proactive and solution focused, a strong leader with excellent communication skills. Proven experience in operations, facilities or estates management is essential, ideally within education or similarly regulated setting, together with a genuine commitment to safeguarding and to being an active, engaged member of the school community.

Relevant experience in operations, facilities or estates management is essential, ideally within education or a similarly regulated setting, with a genuine commitment to safeguarding and to being an active, engaged member of the school community. Practical, organised, proactive and solution-focused leadership with excellent communication skills.

Please see the Recruitment pack which includes the

Job Description to find out more about this role, this can be found on our vacancies page:

We would also be delighted to welcome potential candidates for a tour of the school with our Head, Mr Dan Browning.

If you would like to discuss the job role in further detail or would like to arrange a tour of the school, please contact Linda Marsh, HR Manager at the school on or via email:
recr

Closing date:
Friday, 27th February 2026 at 9.00 am

How to apply: Please return your completed application form, enclosing a cover letter supporting your application to Linda Marsh, HR Manager at recr

Safeguarding

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and young people and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All applicants will be subject to pre-employment screening, which includes an enhanced DBS, reference check and online searches prior to appointment.