Chief Operating Officer

Caterham School; Tandridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Caterham School is seeking a strategic Chief Operating Officer to lead Finance, Estates, IT, Operations, Governance and Compliance on a five‑day on‑site basis at its Surrey campus. Reporting to the CEO & Head of School, the COO will drive cross‑family operational integration, ensure high‑quality service across multiple sites, and support future growth.

Candidates with a proven senior leadership track record in diverse sectors, strong financial and stakeholder management, and collaborative

Qualifications

• Proven senior leader with experience guiding large, multi-functional teams.
• Strong financial, operational and stakeholder management capabilities essential.
• Experience driving organisational change and implementing strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of Finance, Estates, IT, Operations, Governance and Compliance.
• Driving operational integration across the Caterham Family of Schools.
• Ensuring efficient, high-quality service delivery across multiple sites.
• Supporting the School’s long-term strategic vision and growth ambitions.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operations management

Financial management

Stakeholder management

Change management

People leadership

Job description

Eton Bridge Partners are proud to be partnering with Caterham School in the search for its next Chief Operating Officer.

Caterham is a multi award-winning co-educational day and boarding school recognised for its leading approach to innovation, wellbeing and academic excellence. Named Best Senior Independent School of the Year in 2023 by the Times Educational Supplement, the School continues to pioneer in digital learning, curriculum design and pastoral care. Alongside Caterham Prep, shortlisted twice as Independent Prep of the Year, the School provides an exceptional education from Reception to Sixth Form. Caterham’s expanding Family of Schools, now including Copthorne Prep and The Hawthorns School, reflects a shared ethos of ambition, collaboration and educational excellence.

Situated within 200 acres in the Surrey Hills and only 20 miles from Central London, the campus blends historic architecture with modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art science complex, a contemporary Sports Centre, a new Centre for Performing Arts and an award winning Digital Innovation Centre. As one of the few Apple Distinguished Schools in the UK and an EdTech 50 school, Caterham combines tradition with forward thinking practice. In 2024, it also became the only HMC through school to achieve three key areas of strength in an ISI inspection.

This is a strategic leadership role reporting directly to the CEO & Head of School. Given the nature of this role, the successful candidate would be expected to be on site 5 days per week.

Key responsibilities:

• Oversight of Finance, Estates, IT, Operations, Governance and Compliance.
• Driving operational integration across the Family of Schools.
• Ensuring efficient, high-quality service delivery across multiple sites.
• Supporting the School’s long-term strategic vision and growth ambitions.

Key requirements:

• Proven senior leader with experience managing complex operations.
• Track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering organisational effectiveness.
• Strong financial, operational and stakeholder management capabilities essential.
• Leadership on the financial planning and implementation of capital projects.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, sound judgement and collaborative leadership style required.

Education sector experience not essential; candidates from commercial, charitable and other relevant sectors encouraged.