Operations Director – Alternative Provision
Possible
Sponsorship likelihood
This employer issued few or no visas recently
£70,000 – £80,000 / year
Salary
Above P75 for SOC 2322
£43,900
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.6×
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2322 (83% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £43,900, and Compass Associates is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 1139 (Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2322 Education managers Most likely code | £33,400 Clears | £35,100 Clears | £39,500 Clears | £43,900 Clears |
1139 Functional managers and directors not elsewhere classified Also possible | £52,300 Clears | £59,700 Clears | £67,200 Clears | £74,700 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Operations Director – Alternative Provision
Location: Flexible but focus areas are Midlands and South
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 + Annual Bonuses
Are you an ambitious operational leader ready to build something from the ground up?
We are launching a brand-new Alternative Provision venture with significant backing, an entrepreneurial leadership team, and an ambitious national growth strategy. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the founding senior leaders in a business designed to redefine outcomes for young people who need education delivered differently.
This is not a “steady-state” operations role. We are looking for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys creating systems from scratch, and wants genuine influence over the direction of a growing organisation.
The Opportunity
As Operations Director, you will play a critical role in shaping the operational foundations of the business during its launch and growth phase.
Working directly with the founding leadership team, you will oversee the setup, compliance, safeguarding, staffing structures, policies, and operational delivery across new AP centres as they are launched and scaled.
This is a highly visible leadership role with real autonomy, strategic input, and long-term progression potential.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading operational setup and day-to-day oversight across AP sites
- Creating and implementing policies, procedures, and operational frameworks
- Driving safeguarding, compliance, and quality assurance standards
- Designing staffing models, timetables, and operational processes
- Supporting the launch and stabilisation of new provisions
- Working closely with the leadership team on growth strategy and expansion
- Building a strong operational culture focused on outcomes and accountability
About You
We are looking for a commercially aware operational leader with experience in Alternative Provision or Specialist Education
You will bring:
- Strong operational and compliance expertise
- A deep understanding of safeguarding and education quality standards
- Experience opening, scaling, or improving AP education provisions
- Entrepreneurial energy
- The confidence to make decisions while collaborating closely with founders
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
Why Join?
- Founding leadership opportunity within a new venture
- Significant autonomy and influence
- Ambitious multi-site growth plans
- Backed by experienced operators with an established presence in the sector
- Opportunity to shape strategy from day one
- Strong long-term career trajectory as the business scales
- Competitive package with flexibility for exceptional candidates
Contact Details:
To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Jordanna Osborn at 02394211147 or [email protected]
Compass Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy; we offer £500 vouchers for each successful recommendation.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Compass Associates, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Education managers (SOC 2322) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~48k in sample- Offer £70,000–80,000
- Middle half £38,480–59,124
- Median £47,632
- Going rate £43,900
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–39,500
Even the bottom of this range, £70,000, beats the market's 75th percentile. Compass Associates pays in the top quarter for this occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
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Browse more sponsored jobs at Compass AssociatesAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Compass Associates holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2322 going rate of £43,900. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.