Interim COO

Panoramic Associates; South Derbyshire; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer for a Multi-Academy Trust in Derbyshire. This role demands senior operational leadership, overseeing IT, estates, health and safety, and compliance, with responsibilities including trust-wide operational leadership and assurance. Candidates should have a strong track record in education and the ability to deliver quick impact. The position offers a flexible 2 days onsite and 3 days work from home schedule.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to deliver impact quickly in an interim role.
• Experience with regulatory and ESFA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and hands-on leadership across operations, IT, estates and health & safety, HR and GDPR/data protection.
• Trust-wide operational leadership and assurance.
• Oversight and improvement of IT infrastructure, systems, and cyber security.

Skills

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

Excellent stakeholder and governance 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 on (phone number removed) / r.basra @ (url removed)

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.