The Emmanuel Schools Foundation – a Trust comprising six schools with a significant track record of substantial educational improvement in Northern England – is seeking a Chief Operating Officerto ensure that the Trust’s operational domains are designed, equipped, and ready to deliver ESF’s educational priorities and growth ambitions. Key Responsibilities

Leading and executing a Trust-wide operational strategy aligned to educational priorities, translating vision into measurable objectives and aligned operational delivery. Providing expert, data-driven, evidence-informed advice to the CEO and deputising for the CEO when required. Supporting the CFO in ensuring strong internal controls, audit and risk frameworks, enabling the prompt resolution of audit actions. Delivering value for money and long-term financial resilience, supporting with financial planning, forecasting and sustainability. Enabling delivery of data dashboards and real-time performance insight, embedding service standards and performance frameworks across operational domains. Enabling the delivery of the Trust’s People Strategy and creating an environment where leadership capability and succession pipelines are facilitated and enabled. Supporting the digital transformation of the Trust, including AI deployment, to meet organisational priorities aligned with national strategy. Leading long-term estates and capital strategies, ensuring compliance, maintenance, sustainability and innovation. Ensuring high-quality central administrative and analytics services. Leading due diligence for prospective schools and developing integration success measures on the adoption of new schools.

Skills and Experience

Evidence of continuous professional development in leadership and operational management, with a track record of professional development in complex organisational environments. Significant senior executive leadership experience within a complex, multi-site organisation of comparable scale and budget. Successful leadership of diverse multi-disciplinary professional service functions (e.g. IT, governance, HR, compliance, and finance). Experience leading organisational transformation and change management programmes. Ability to manage complex projects and monitor contracts, with organisational risk management expertise. Comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements, health and safety, compliance, and educational environments, with a commitment to safeguarding. Exceptional data- and evidence-informed strategic thinking and systems-level problem-solving ability. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and synthesise complex data from a range of sources using technology. Proven ability to build, lead and develop high-performing central teams with a strong service ethos, with strong influencing and stakeholder management skills. Ability to design and build scalable systems and processes that support growth and continuous improvement. Knowledge of procurement, contract management, governance and cybersecurity frameworks. Ability to clearly articulate vision and develop and maintain mutually respectful and supportive relationships with colleagues at all levels. Values-led and collaborative leadership style with emotional intelligence, integrity, and resilience. Unwavering commitment to the Trust’s values and supportive of its Christian ethos. Defined benefit pension scheme. Employee assistance programme. Free parking. Access to an exclusive Benefits Hub. Employee-centred and family-friendly policies and practices to support you in and beyond the workplace. Enhanced sick pay, maternity leave and paternity leave (dependent on length of service). Funded eye tests and glasses for DSE users (subject to T/Cs). Generous annual leave allowance.

Salary: A competitive salary, negotiable depending on skills and experience; likely to be in the range of £100,000 to £135,000. Location: Hybrid across the North East and Yorkshire. Closing date: Noon on Friday, 10 April 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr