Key Role Information

Salary
£Grade 14, Pay Points 46-50 (£57,867.00- £62,636.00 FTE)
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
27/09/2026 23:59
Interview
w/c 5th October 2026 (date to be confirmed)
Contract term
AYR - All year round
Pay grade
Grade 14, Pay Points 46-50 (£57,867.00- £62,636.00 FTE)
Department
Operations
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
40.00
Weeks per year
52.143
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Job Title: Operations Lead – Procurement and Projects

Salary: DDAT Grade 14, Pay Points 46-50 (£57,867.00- £62,636.00 FTE)

Location: Hybrid from the Head Office at Bakewell / other schools within the Trust / working from home

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours per week: Full-time – 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

 

Job outline

 

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) are recruiting an experienced Operations Lead (Procurement and Projects) who will bring further enthusiasm and drive to the leadership of the Trust’s Operations function.

 

We are excited to be advertising this new role to work as an integral part of our Central Team. Building on the introduction of new Trust wide systems and MIS, we see this postholder making a significant contribution to the next stage of the Trust’s development and growth, with a focus on Project Management and Procurement. 

 

DDAT is a Multi Academy Trust that oversees and supports 33 schools across Derbyshire and Derby City. Established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby, DDAT is committed to providing high quality education for all children in their academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles.

 

The successful candidate will:

• Provide strategic and operational support and guidance across the Trust.

• Demonstrate the ability to support, challenge, and work in coproduction with senior colleagues and executive teams on all aspects of Project Management and Procurement.

• Have experience of effectively managing a complex and varied workload.

• Be results-oriented, motivated by goals and be driven to achieve those goals.

• Display excellent leadership interpersonal skills when dealing with a range of stakeholders with empathy and purpose.

 

 

In return, DDAT will offer you:

• An opportunity to work as part of a supportive team and empower you to further develop the Trust.

• A competitive salary and LGPS pension contributions. Opportunity for Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs).

• Ongoing high quality professional development opportunities.

• A generous annual leave entitlement

• Hybrid working with the opportunity to work from the office in Bakewell, home and the DDAT schools across the Trust.

• Benefits including but not limited to; Free onsite parking at Bakewell Head Office, Cycle to Work Scheme, free eye tests and a contribution towards a pair of glasses for employees using VDU’s, Employee Assistance Programme & an opportunity to work flexibly.

 

 

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.


DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.


This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).


To apply, please use our online platform.

 

We will only accept applications made via the DDAT application form linked above. Please note that we will not consider CVs as part of the shortlisting.

 

If you have any questions about this post, please contact the HR team via email at hr@ddat.org.uk. For more detailed discussions, a call with the CEO can be facilitated.

 

Please note that all candidates must have a right to work in the UK in order to be able to work at our Trust. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for international job applicants.

 

Closing date: Sunday 27th September 2026 at midnight

Interview date: w/c 5th October 2026 (date to be confirmed)

 

Skills

Experience

Considerable senior experience in a similar role.
Highly effective commercial acumen and a successful track record of managing the ICT Management aspects of a complex multi-site organisation.
Experience with procurement software and tools, as well as project management software.
Experience of working with Trustees

Experience/Knowledge

Significant knowledge and experience of procurement and managing projectsessential

Other Activities

Flexibility essential
Willingness to contribute to the wider ethos of the Trust essential
Must be able to perform all duties and tasks, with reasonable adjustment where appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 essential

Personal Attributes

Commitment to safeguardingessential
Customer focusedessential
Has a friendly yet professional and respectful approach which demonstrates support and shows mutual respectessential
Open, honest and an active listeneressential
Takes responsibility and accountabilityessential
Committed to the needs of the pupils, parents and other stakeholders and challenge barriers and blocks to providing an effective serviceessential
Demonstrates a “can do” attitude including suggesting solutions, participating, trusting and encouraging others and achieving expectationsessential
Is committed to the provision and improvement of quality service provision • Is adaptable to change/embraces and welcomes change.essential
Acts with pace and urgency being energetic, enthusiastic and decisiveessential
Has the ability to learn from experiences and challengesessential
Is committed to the continuous development of self and others by keeping up to date and sharing knowledge, encouraging new ideas, seeking new opportunities and challenges, open to ideas and developing new skillsessential

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in project management, or a related field.
Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2).

Relevant Experience

Working knowledge of relevant policies/ practices and external regulationsessential
Ability to work constructively as part of a teamessential
Ability to work under pressureessential
Ability to work using own initiativeessential
Good communication skillsessential
Good interpersonal skillsessential
Good organising, planning and prioritising skillsessential
Methodical with a good attention to detailessential
Experience in change management and process improvement initiatives to drive organisational efficiency.essential

Relevant Skills

Extensive knowledge of legislation linked to ICT and Procurement e.g. public sector procurementessential

About Us

The vision and values that DDAT is built upon are Christian in nature and represent values and principles that are important to people of all faiths and no faith. There is a focus on individuality, collaboration and unity; there is a real sense of belonging within DDAT. This is well-balanced with a sense of autonomy and empowerment enabling schools to flourish as separate and unique entities.


Derby Diocesan Academy Trust

HR Team

hr@ddat.org.uk

Unit 3 Endcliffe Mount, Deepdale Business Park
Ashford Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1GT
HR Team
hr@ddat.org.uk

Safeguarding Information

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.


DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.


This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).