Chief Operations Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Pay range: Competitive, reflecting experience

We think big: lead the way in Opening Minds, Opening Doors!

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for the strategic leadership and operational delivery of core trust-wide services. This includes estates and facilities management, IT and digital infrastructure, business planning, and risk management. The COO will ensure that all operational functions are aligned with the Trust’s educational mission and strategic objectives, enabling high-quality, cost-effective services that support school improvement and pupil outcomes. They will continuously evaluate what works well and what doesn’t, using data-driven insights to refine processes and enhance efficiency. Balancing long-term strategic vision with day-to day operational excellence

The key responsibilities are: (please refer to the Application pack for more detail)

• Strategic leadership – Develop and implement Trust strategy
• Estates and Infrastructure – develop and lead the Trusts estates strategy
• Digital and IT - Shape and lead the Trust’s digital strategy
• Risk and Compliance - Establish and oversee a comprehensive risk management framework
• Operational Excellence - Drive continuous improvement across operational functions

Experience and Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role
• Strong track record of strategic planning, estates and IT leadership, and risk management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence at Board level.
• Demonstrable commitment to the values and mission of a multi-academy trust.
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. MBA, MRICS, Prince2, NEBOSH, etc.).
• Skills and Behaviours
• Strong strategic thinking and data-driven decision making
• Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to inclusivity
• Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity
• Confidant communicator and ambassador

For further information on the role please see the COO recruitment pack.

About E-ACT:

Join a trust that’s making an impact!

With recent wins like TES Team of the Year 2024 and MAT of the Year 2023, now is the perfect time to be part of our journey. Our success comes from dedicated, talented staff committed to delivering excellence for every child and young person.

We encourage a people-first culture, supporting pupils, staff, and stakeholders across 38 academies, with staff satisfaction above national benchmarks. Through initiatives tackling workload and wellbeing, we ensure a positive, thriving environment.

At the heart of everything we do is our Opening Minds, Opening Doors strategy—preparing pupils not just for the world, but to succeed within it. With a collaborative approach to education, we unlock opportunities for every child to pursue their dreams. Want to be part of something extraordinary? Find out more at www.e-act.org.uk.

The package includes a competitive salary and generous local government pension scheme (defined benefit pension scheme)

Want to find out more

If this opportunity excites you, we would love to hear from you. Please reach out for an initial discussion by contacting Sian John, Head of Recruitment and Talent, at sian.john@e-act.org.uk. You can also connect with us on LinkedIn to stay updated.