Interim COO

IO Associates; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational consultancy is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer for a Multi-Academy Trust. This role, lasting for 8 months, involves strategic and hands-on leadership across operational areas including IT, health & safety, and compliance. The ideal candidate will possess extensive operational leadership experience, particularly in the education sector, and have a proven ability to effect change swiftly in an interim capacity. Hybrid working is offered, with a commitment to safeguarding children.

Qualifications

• Senior operational leadership experience within a Multi-Academy Trust or education, working across multiple sites.
• Strong experience of estates and health & safety.
• Proven ability to deliver impact quickly in an interim role.

Responsibilities

• Oversee trust-wide operational leadership and assurance.
• Improve IT infrastructure and ensure cyber security.
• Manage health & safety and GDPR compliance.

Skills

Senior operational leadership experience

Strong track record in operations

IT oversight

Excellent stakeholder experience

Job description

Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Multi-Academy Trust

Interim 8 months day rate contract
Derbyshire - 2 days onsite & 3 days WFH with occasion visits to schools

We are seeking an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer to support a Multi-Academy Trust during a transition period. Reporting to the CEO, the role will provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across operations, IT, estates and health & safety, HR and GDPR/data protection.

Key Focus Areas

• Trust-wide operational leadership and assurance
• Oversight and improvement of IT infrastructure, systems, and cyber security
• Health & safety, GDPR compliance, information governance, and data protection risk management
• Line management of central operational functions
• Board and Executive reporting; regulatory and ESFA compliance

Candidate Profile

• Senior operational leadership experience within a MAT or education, working across multiple sites
• Strong track record in operations, IT oversight, and compliance
• Strong experience of estates and health & safety
• Working knowledge of GDPR and data protection
• Proven ability to deliver impact quickly in an interim role
• Excellent stakeholder and governance experience

Start - February 2026 and interviews being held in January 2026.

If you have the expertise above, please apply now! Or alternatively, for more information, please contact Raj.

Panoramic Associates is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful candidates will be subject to necessary recruitment checks.