About this role
Procurement, Data and Compliance Lead
Full time / Part time
Term Time Only
Fixed Term (1 year in first instance), starting asap
Salary: H9 depending upon experience
Location: AET Hub, Garden Fields JMI School, St Albans AL3 5RL
We are seeking an analytical, proactive, and solutions-driven Procurement, Data & Compliance Lead to join our central operations team. Operating at the intersection of procurement, central services, and data management, you will play a pivotal, multi-disciplinary role in the ongoing development and smooth operation of our Trust.
The Role
As a core member of the central team reporting to the Chief Finance & Operations Officer, your primary purpose will be to support the delivery of excellent operational and financial services across our 11 schools, directly optimising resources and maximising value to positively influence the educational experiences of our children and young people.
In this hybrid role, you will create value from data, transforming complex information into real-time, user-centric dashboards that streamline process management, drive proactive risk mitigation, and make contract management generative. You will directly lead strategic tenders, build transparent contract registers, and lead operational integration projects as our Trust expands.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Strategic Procurement & Tender Management: Lead end-to-end competitive tender processes for high-value central services (e.g., Catering, Cleaning, Energy, FM).
Build and maintain a comprehensive central Contracts Register and vendor compliance monitoring program; conduct regular supplier reviews to ensure accountability against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
Collaborate with executive leads in IT, Finance, HR, Estates, and Marketing to identify efficiencies across all 11 schools, supporting capital works and streamlining purchase-to-pay (P2P) administrative workflows.
Act as the operations project lead for onboarding new schools joining the Trust, conducting due diligence, auditing inherited vendor contracts and data systems, and integrating them seamlessly into Trust platforms.
Design data capture mechanisms and automate real-time visual dashboards and reporting tools (procurement savings, operational KPIs, student/financial metrics), establishing standard data routines that align with school reporting cycles.
About You
Proven track record running compliant competitive procurement processes, contract negotiations, and vendor management within the UK public sector.
Experience planning and delivering cross-functional projects, system migrations, or centralising services across multi-disciplinary teams.
Direct experience working within a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) or the broader UK education sector and familiarity with Hertfordshire / HfL financial policies or public sector procurement frameworks is advantageous.
Skills & Attributes
Advanced proficiency in data management, Google Suite, financial/P2P software, and building/maintaining tracking registers or visual dashboards.
Outstanding communication skills with the confidence to collaborate effectively with Trust Directors, Headteachers, Trustees, site managers, and external vendors.
Highly self-motivated with the ability to plan and manage your workload independently, paired with a meticulous eye for detail to identify anomalies and ensure compliance.
Experience with school due diligence, academy conversions, or MIS system management (e.g., Arbor, Compass, Bromcom) is desirable
About Us
Ambition Education Trust is a collaborative education trust made up of 11 schools located in and around St Albans. We are deeply committed to our vision to provide educational excellence for all and work to foster an environment based on community, sustainable progress and partnership to improve educational outcomes for all our pupils.
Why Join Us?
At Ambition Education Trust, we believe in meaningful professional growth and link our CPD closely to our appraisal process, ensuring you are supported to excel in your career.
Key benefits to being an employee of The Ambition Education Trust:
Friendly working environment with supportive and caring colleagues
Extensive staff wellbeing programme
Generous pension benefits
Excellent facilities with significant recent investment
All staff encouraged and supported in their professional development
Desirable location to live or work with great transport links and perfectly located for job seekers from Herts, Beds, Bucks and North and West London
If you are a detail-oriented professional looking to make a visible impact across our schools, we would love to hear from you.
Application via the My New Term website.
For further details please visit https://www.ambitioneducationtrust.org
Closing Date for applications: 23rd October 2026 - 9am
Interview Date: 27th October 2026
Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as the school reserves the right to close the advert should we feel able to appoint an appropriate candidate.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We seek to ensure that all our staff feel valued, supported and enjoy exceptional professional development opportunities. For more information about Ambition Education Trust please visit our website.