Chief Operating Officer

The Methodist Church in Britain; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Howard Partnership Trust is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to lead finance, estates, HR services, IT, compliance, risk and governance across a multi-academy environment. You will report to the CEO and work with the Trust Board to drive operational excellence and long-term sustainability.

In this role you will shape workforce planning, digital infrastructure, risk management and change programmes while ensuring decisions are grounded in school experience and values-driven leadership.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-site environment.
• Experience overseeing several operational disciplines.
• Strength in at least two of finance, estates, HR services, IT, compliance, risk or organisational development.
• Experience leading specialists and building high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and integrate finance, estates, HR services, IT, compliance, risk, governance operations and wider business services
• Strengthen financial resilience, value for money and long-term sustainability
• Oversee estates strategy and compliance, including major capital projects
• Lead workforce planning, HR transformation and culture development
• Ensure digital infrastructure is modern, secure and aligned with teaching, learning and operational priorities
• Ensure systems, processes and infrastructure are robust, efficient and future-proof
• Play a key role in organisational planning, risk management and change leadership
• Work with Principals, Headteachers and senior leaders so operational decisions are evidence-based and grounded in school experience
• Work closely with the CEO, Executive Team and Trust Board

Skills

Systems thinking

Strategic clarity

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Job description

This Chief Operating Officer post sits on the Executive Team of The Howard Partnership Trust, a multi-academy trust running primary, secondary and special schools. The role brings together finance, estates, HR services, IT, compliance, risk and governance under one operational lead. It is distinct for its scale and multi-phase setting, with the post-holder working closely with the CEO and Trust Board. Visa sponsorship is not available, and an enhanced DBS check is required.

What the job involves

• Lead and integrate finance, estates, HR services, IT, compliance, risk, governance operations and wider business services
• Strengthen financial resilience, value for money and long-term sustainability
• Oversee estates strategy and compliance, including major capital projects
• Lead workforce planning, HR transformation and culture development
• Ensure digital infrastructure is modern, secure and aligned with teaching, learning and operational priorities
• Ensure systems, processes and infrastructure are robust, efficient and future-proof
• Play a key role in organisational planning, risk management and change leadership
• Work with Principals, Headteachers and senior leaders so operational decisions are evidence-based and grounded in school experience
• Work closely with the CEO, Executive Team and Trust Board

What’s required

Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-site environment
• Experience overseeing several operational disciplines
• Particular strength in at least two of finance, estates, HR services, IT, compliance, risk or organisational development
• Experience leading specialists and building high-performing teams

Skills & knowledge

• Systems thinking to design coherent, scalable and future-focused operational solutions
• Strategic clarity and organisational grip
• Managing risk and leading change through complexity
• Understanding of safeguarding, compliance and regulatory frameworks

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS disclosure
• Verification of identity
• Declaration of any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions

Other

• Values-driven, emotionally intelligent leadership with integrity
• Strong relationship-building across schools, central teams and the Board
• Shared belief that every child deserves a life-changing education

Nice to have

• Experience of organisational transformation, cultural development or major capital projects