Chief Operating Officer (Star Academies)

IMPACTED GROUP; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education consultancy is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to drive operational excellence within a high-performing multi-academy trust in Lancashire. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in operational transformation and have strategic vision coupled with strong collaborative leadership skills. This pivotal role offers a chance to significantly impact the education and future of thousands of young people. Competitive salaries and benefits are offered, with a flexible start date.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Pension schemes

Generous holiday entitlements

Healthcare cash plans

Qualifications

• Experienced senior leader with a track record in complex, multi-site organizations.
• Ability to drive operational excellence and digital transformation.
• Demonstrated success in governance and talent development.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational infrastructure and systems aligned with the Trust's mission.
• Drive business transformation across estates, facilities, and professional services.
• Champion organizational development and team collaboration.

Skills

Operational transformation experience

Strategic vision

Collaborative leadership style

Systems-level problem-solving

Job description

Overview

ImpactEd Consulting is acting as recruitment adviser to Star Academies on this appointment.

Star Academies is one of the country's leading multi-academy trusts, with a diverse network of primary and secondary schools serving communities across the country. We are committed to educational excellence, character development and service to our communities, nurturing today's young people and inspiring tomorrow's leaders.

About the role

We are now seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team. This is a pivotal new role that will lead the next phase of organisational development, ensuring our operational infrastructure, systems, and people strategies remain cutting-edge, scalable, and aligned with our mission.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and the newly appointed Chief Strategy & Finance Officer, you will champion and drive operational excellence across the Trust. You will lead our business transformation programme, encompassing digital transformation, estates and facilities, professional services, governance, and talent development through our Talent Academy.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a track record of operational transformation in complex, multi-site organisations. You will bring strategic vision, systems-level problem-solving skills, and a collaborative leadership style that builds trust and organisational capability.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a values-driven, high-performing trust and make a significant contribution to the life chances of thousands of young people.

About Star Academies

Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you\'ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person\'s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed.

Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our professional development hub, Star Talent Academy. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a large, growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level.

We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.

Find out more

If you have any questions based on any aspect of the appointment process or require any additional information, please contact with the subject line "Star Academies - Chief Operating Officer".

Key dates

Closing Date: Monday 3 November 2025 at 5:30pm.

Interview Date: First round w/c Monday 17 November. Final interview w/c 24 November.

Proposed Start Date: January 2026 or ASAP thereafter.

Application process

Please download and review the full Appointment Brief before applying. To apply, download and complete the application form and send it by email to with the subject line "Star Academies - Chief Operating Officer".