Operations Manager (Open Education AI)

Build the operational backbone of a start-up having a meaningful and tangible impact on how schools can use data and AI safely and effectively.

Open Education AI (OEAI) is a growing, sector-led organisation that is currently incubated by Purposeful Ventures as it develops its independent operating model. We are looking for an Operations Manager to join OEAI at this exciting stage in its development. As OEAI builds its independent operational capacity for the first time, this role will play a central part in creating the systems, processes and ways of working that will enable the organisation to grow and maximise its impact.

This is a genuinely broad, hands-on role: one day you might be redesigning how contracts and supplier relationships are managed, the next you'll be preparing papers for our Steering Committee We are looking for someone who thrives in start-up mode: proactive, dynamic and comfortable working through ambiguity to find solutions and forge the path themselves. You will bring experience of operations: defining processes from scratch, getting the right systems in place for a growing team, and thinking creatively about how tools and workflows can accelerate the pace and quality of our work.

This role suits someone who is organised, resourceful and calm under pressure, with a natural instinct for spotting what a growing organisation needs next. You will have a track record of taking ownership of operational or administrative functions and making them noticeably better, tightening up governance, improving financial processes, or building infrastructure that didn't exist before. You are someone who is looking to grow into a bigger role as the organisation scales, and who is motivated by the chance to make a tangible difference in education. Ultimately, we are looking for someone who wants to roll up their sleeves, get stuck in, and be a part of shaping this sector leading data governance and AI organisation.

In return, you will get real ownership from day one: the opportunity to build OEAI's operational foundations largely from scratch, with visible impact on an organisation leading pioneering work in the ethical use of data and AI within the education sector. As part of the Purposeful Ventures family, you will enjoy the autonomy and ownership of a start-up role alongside access to a network of experienced colleagues, proven ways of working and a strong culture of learning and development.

About Open Education AI

Open Education AI (OEAI) is a sector-led membership organisation that provides school groups with a governed, open-source data infrastructure and a thriving sector community enabling all schools to use data intelligence and analytics to improve educational outcomes and opportunities.

Founded in 2023 and formalised as a non-profit in January 2026, OEAI is now incubated by Purposeful Ventures and is building its independent operational capacity for the first time as it prepares to exit to become an independent charity. Therefore, this role will initially be employed by Purposeful Ventures as OEAI prepares for spin-out. With over 60 school groups representing 1000+ schools already in membership this is a pivotal moment to join a small, high-impact organisation at the start of its journey.

Please download the full job description on the Purposeful Ventures website

Job Description

Purpose

This role is central in the effective running and growth of OEAI by building and continuously improving the operational systems, governance, administration and processes that enable the organisation to deliver against its mission with efficiency, accountability and impact.

This is a broad and varied role, spanning operational management, governance, finance, communications and organisational effectiveness, requiring a proactive and adaptable approach as we grow.

Responsibilities and duties

Operational systems and infrastructure

• Manage OEAI’s systems, platforms and services overseeing procurement, contracts and subscriptions; user and access management, security and governance to ensure our operational infrastructure meets our growing needs.

• Be the team point of contact and relationship holder for any systems and processes we share with Purposeful Ventures as part of our incubation relationship.

• Support the roll-out of any OEAI specific new systems, ensuring team-readiness and organising and delivering training where required.

• Manage contracts and compliance, working with OEAI's legal advisers where required.

Financial management

• Support the OEAI Incubation Lead with annual budget planning, reforecasting and budget management and liaising with the Purposeful finance team as appropriate.

• Prepare financial reports from the Purposeful managed finance systems for the OEAI Lead and Steering Committee, ensuring timely and accurate information is available for decision-making.

• Review card purchases and supplier contracts to ensure invoices are accurate and processed in good time and against the budget.

Governance and legal

• Maintain a forward governance calendar and ensure the Chair of each of the respective governance groups are well prepared for all board and governance meetings.

• Support the OEAI Lead with Purposeful board reporting requirements.

• Coordinate the logistics and papers and associated governance documentation for the Steering Committee, Technical Advisory Group and the Sector Advisory Group.

• Maintain a well-organised, version-controlled archive of governance documentation, ensuring papers, policies and records are accurately filed and easy to retrieve.

• Maintain organisational records, Companies House filings and Charity Commission obligations when and where appropriate for spin out.

Communications

• Manage OEAI’s LinkedIn presence, building an engaged following in the sector’s data community.

• Manage the OEAI Circle community and platform, including enrolment and content.

• Maintain and update the OEAI website, ensuring content is current and well written.

• Help develop and maintain a bank of community case studies demonstrating OEAI impact.

• Support with fundraising proposals when appropriate.

• Be the initial point of contact for press or media enquiries, coordinating with the wider OEAI team and PV communications team on responses.

Events and Webinars

• Manage OEAI’s presence at sector conferences including Confederation of School Trusts, BETT and others.

• Work with the wider OEAI team to plan an annual OEAI programme of events.

• Own end-to-end event logistics for our events (hackathons) from venue sourcing and speaker liaison to registration and follow-up.

• Manage all tools underpinning OEAI communications: CRM, Zoom, Circle community platform ensuring they meet team requirements and business need.

Team and organisational effectiveness

• Act as the central operational hub for the team. The person who makes things work smoothly behind the scenes.

• Identify and resolve operational inefficiencies, building better systems proactively.

• Support the OEAI Lead with recruitment processes where appropriate (inc. freelancers).

• As the team scales, willingness to take on line management responsibilities or oversight of shared Purposeful Ventures resource as required.

• On occasion, step in to tasks beyond those outlined in this job description, as required, reflecting the fast changing work of the organisation.

The job description is subject to change and the postholder may be required to undertake tasks not specifically referred to above.

Who we are looking for

Key requirements

• Passionate about creating a fairer society where all young people thrive.

• Demonstrable track record of taking ownership of commitments and working hard to succeed.

• Well-organised and able to prioritise effectively, managing multiple, competing workstreams while keeping governance, finance and communications moving in parallel.

• Strong written communication skills are essential with the ability to write clearly for different audiences.

• Comfortable working within a start-up environment and being proactive in problem resolution.

• Right to work in the UK.

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of the operational and governance needs of a growing or start-up organisation, including designing processes and implementing systems and board reporting.

• Working knowledge of data protection and information governance requirements (e.g. GDPR) as they apply to contracts, systems and member data.

Desirable

• Strong working knowledge of the charity or not-for-profit sector, ideally within education, AI or EdTech.

• Awareness of the communications and events landscape within the education or membership sector, including relevant channels, conferences and stakeholder groups.

• Financial acumen — comfortable with budgeting, invoicing and financial reporting processes.

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in an operations, business administration or office management role within a fast-moving or growing organisation.

• Demonstrable experience of having improved or built operational systems/processes.

• Experience of leveraging technology in creating and/or improving operational systems.

• Demonstrable experience supporting governance processes, such as coordinating board or committee meetings, papers and reporting cycles.

Desirable

• Demonstrable track record of managing supplier and contract relationships, including invoicing, financial reporting and budget support.

• Demonstrable experience in communications, or member/community engagement, ideally across multiple channels.

• Demonstrable track record of planning and delivering events, webinars or conferences end-to-end.