Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Job description

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership across our operational services, ensuring our systems, infrastructure and resources enable our academies to thrive and support the Trust's long-term ambitions. This is a wide-ranging executive leadership role, with responsibility for estates and infrastructure, digital and technology, commercial development, marketing and communications, risk, compliance and operational assurance. You will lead the development and delivery of our operational strategy, ensuring our services are effective, sustainable and aligned with our educational priorities. Working closely with the CEO, fellow executive colleagues, academy leaders and Trustees, you will translate strategic priorities into clear operational plans, drive organisational improvement and strengthen accountability across the Trust. You will oversee major capital projects, champion digital innovation, identify opportunities for sustainable income generation and ensure robust arrangements for risk management, business continuity and regulatory compliance. You will also lead and empower our operational teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. Through effective resource management, strong governance and a focus on value for money, you will help build the resilient foundations needed to support our academies and the communities they serve. This is an exciting opportunity to influence Trust-wide strategy, lead significant organisational change and make a lasting difference to the educational experiences and outcomes of children and young people. About you You will be an accomplished senior operational leader with significant experience working across multiple functions within a complex, multi-site organisation. You will bring the strategic vision, professional credibility and leadership capability to operate effectively at executive level, balancing long-term organisational priorities with effective operational delivery. You will have a proven track record of developing and implementing strategic plans, leading organisational change, managing significant budgets and resources, and delivering large-scale projects and programmes. You will understand the importance of robust governance, risk management, compliance and assurance, and be confident providing clear, evidence-based reporting to senior leaders, Trustees and external stakeholders. An effective and collaborative leader, you will be skilled at building relationships, influencing stakeholders and leading diverse professional teams. You will empower colleagues, establish clear accountability and create an environment in which people are supported to develop, innovate and deliver excellent outcomes. You will bring sound judgement, resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement, alongside an understanding of how digital transformation, sustainable estate management and efficient operational services can support organisational performance. Experience within the education sector or a Multi-Academy Trust would be advantageous, as would experience of organisational growth, mergers or digital transformation. Above all, you will share our commitment to educational excellence and recognise that effective operational leadership plays a vital role in enabling our pupils, colleagues and academies to succeed. How to apply For further information about the role or guidance on the application process, interested candidates are encouraged to contact our recruitment partners, Propelo, in the first instance. Telephone: 01273 222 877 Email: kingsacademies@propelo.co.uk Online: https://kingsacademies.our-careers.co.uk Closing date: Tuesday 1 December 2026 at 9.00am Interview date: Monday 14 December 2026 (all day)