Operational assurance officer - amethyst academies trust (across all schools in the trust)

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. While the role is advertised as 52 weeks, flexibility is available. The post can be offered on a full-year or term time only plus two weeks basis, depending on the preference of the successful candidate. Aspire. Achieve. Together. Amethyst Academies Trust is seeking a motivated, detail-driven Operational Assurance Officer to join our Central Team. This is a unique, Trust-wide role offering the opportunity to develop breadth and depth of operational expertise across multiple schools. You will play a critical role in strengthening assurance, compliance and operational effectiveness across estates, health and safety, statutory requirements and wider operational systems. This is not a purely administrative role. It is an opportunity to actively shape, improve and assure operational practice across our Trust. The Opportunity Working closely with the Chief Operations Officer, you will operate as a key partner in ensuring the Trust remains compliant, safe and operationally robust. Combining analytical rigour 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 We are seeking an individual who is ambitious, analytical and committed to developing as an operational leader. To be successful, you will bring: • 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 You will also demonstrate: • 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? At Amethyst, we are a values-driven Trust united by ambition. We believe in Aspire (setting high expectations), Achieve (pursuing excellence through evidence) and Together (working collaboratively as one Trust family). When you join us, you will be part of an organisation that: • 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. If you wish to discuss the role, please contact Laura Armato, larmato@aatrust.co.uk. Closing date – 12pm on 22nd June Interviews – w/c 29th June Application forms to be sent to HR.Support@aatrust.co.uk Further information and application details are available in the application pack. 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. Hours - 37 hours per week (Working from home 1 day per week) Grade - NJC Grade 6, Point 17 – 22 (£36,363 – £40,777) Location - Amethyst Academies Trust – Across all schools in the Trust (Penn Hall School – Vicarage Road, Penn, Wolverhampton WV4 5HP) Contract - Permanent Closing Date - Monday 22nd June 2026 at 12pm