Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Opportunity

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the Senior Executive Team, working closely with the Headmaster (CEO) and Governors to deliver and shape the School’s strategic vision. A Strategic and Influential Leader The COO plays a central role in the School’s development, offering insight, challenge, and leadership across all operational priorities.

The post-holder leads around 64 support staff through an experienced team of line managers. Direct reports include Finance Bursar, Estates Bursar, Head of Human Resources, Marketing and Admissions Manager, IT & Data Manager, Commercial Manager, Health and Safety, and Transport.

What We’re Looking For

We seek an energetic, forward-thinking senior leader who can inspire teams, manage resources effectively, and deliver results. Essential strengths include:

• Finance and strategic planning
• Property and estate management
• HR oversight
• IT and operational oversight
• Strong commercial awareness and entrepreneurial drive
• Clear communication, sound judgement, and the ability to motivate others are vital.

Personal Qualities

While previous experience as a COO is not a prerequisite, the role requires rigour, energy and resilience as well as empathy. Candidates must demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to the values of a boarding and day independent school
• A strong moral compass and interest in education
• A belief in the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equality

The Scope of the Role

The COO is responsible for the effective leadership of all non-educational functions, including:

• Finance and HR Estates and Operations
• Compliance and Health & Safety
• Marketing and Admissions
• Commercial Activities

The Role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) reports directly to the Headmaster for the effective management of the School’s support operations and to the Board of Governors for strategic financial leadership and the delivery of the School’s operational strategy. This is a broad and influential role encompassing: Strategic Leadership Working closely with the Headmaster and the Board of Governors, the COO plays a central role in shaping and guiding the long-term strategic direction of the School.

Financial Stewardship

The COO holds responsibility to the Board for the School’s overall financial performance, sustainability, and governance.

Operational Oversight

The COO leads all non-academic operations, including Finance, Human Resources, Estates and Facilities (covering grounds, maintenance, and housekeeping), Marketing and Admissions, IT systems, the Commercial Programme, Catering, Health & Safety, and regulatory compliance, including Data Protection.

Governance Support

As Clerk to the Governors, the COO services the Board, its committees, and its members, ensuring robust governance and full compliance with company and charity legislation.

More specifically, the main duties and responsibilities of the Chief Operating officer can be described as follows:

Finance Management

Lead the finance function, delivering financial results as agreed by the Board and ensuring effective finance and resource management across the School.

In conjunction with the Finance Bursar, the Chief Operating Officer is responsible for managing the financial performance of the School.

• Direct and oversee all functional aspects of the Finance team, including the fees ledger, purchase ledger and payroll and the production of management accounts.
• Provide the Board with regular, accurate and timely information about the School’s finances, including Management Accounts and cash flow forecasts, budget and variance reports.
• Work with the School’s auditors to complete the annual audit and draft the statutory accounts.
• Ensure that a robust system of internal controls is in place and operates effectively. Analyse school fees and costs, including benchmarking.
• Oversee the maintenance of the Asset Register.
• Ensure fair but robust debtor management, including meeting with parents when necessary.
• Oversee bursary applications, ensuring robust processes are in place for the financial assessment of parental contributions towards fees.
• Advise on remuneration and reward strategies.
• Advise the Board on borrowing requirements and ensure compliance with any covenants.
• Manage relationships with key external services, including the bank, auditors, and insurers.
• Manage effective purchasing arrangements and review and negotiate tenders and contracts.

Estates and Capital Projects

• Ensure the efficient and effective running of all the School’s support operations, including estates/facilities, catering, security, transport, staff housing, administration, and commercial.
• Maintain and develop an effective master plan for the School’s campus.
• Plan and deliver any future capital projects, including overseeing the work of external contractors.
• Through the Estates Bursar direct the work of the maintenance team to ensure that the facilities are always well presented, serviceable, safe and compliant with regulations, including health and safety, fire and the Independent Schools Standards, liaising with expert external consultants as appropriate.
• Oversee and direct the programme of refurbishment and enhancement of existing facilities.
• Direct the work of the grounds team to ensure that the grounds are always well presented and that outdoor sports facilities are fit for purpose.
• Oversee all aspects of site security, including fire prevention.
• Direct the work of the facilities and cleaning team.
• Negotiate and manage the catering contract to ensure high-quality provision of catering services and value for money.
• Through the Transport Officer, manage the minibuses fleet.
• Negotiate and manage energy and utility contracts.
• Advise on and lead efforts to minimise the environmental impact of the School.
• Through the Data and IT Manager ensure the provision of ICT infrastructure and services to support high-quality teaching and learning, and administration.
• Direct the work of the Commercial Programme Manager to maximise income from commercial activities, building on existing arrangements and exploiting new opportunities where possible.
• Work with the School’s professional advisors to oversee significant property transactions.

Human Resources

Lead the Human Resources function, advising the Governors and Headmaster on policy, and strategy. In conjunction with the Head of HR, the Chief Operating Officer is responsible for ensuring:

• Compliance with all aspects of employment law.
• Compliance with the relevant sections of Keeping Children Safe in Education and the Independent Schools Standards Regulations.
• Supporting the safeguarding culture of the School both personally and as the leader of the support staff.

Risk management, Compliance and Health & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including health and safety and fire, disability law, and the relevant sections of the Independent Schools Standards.
• As the School’s Data Protection Coordinator, ensure the effective and compliant management of data including the maintenance of Data Protection Impact Assessments.
• Lead the response to Data Breaches and Subject Access Requests.
• Drive the identification, assessment and management of business risk, including oversight of the risk assessment process and Risk Register.
• Lead critical incident and business continuity planning to ensure that the School is well prepared for any crisis. Advise the Governors, Headmaster and staff on health and safety and ensure compliance with the relevant regulations.
• Chair the Health and Safety Committee. Liaise with expert external consultants as necessary.
• Ensure compliance with the UK Visa & Immigration License, overseeing the processes for overseas pupils and workers.

Marketing and Admissions

Lead the Marketing and Admission function, including strategic advice to the Governors and Headmaster on strategy and technical aspects of marketing. In conjunction with the Marketing and Admissions Team lead on the development of the marketing and admissions strategy. Maintain overall responsibility for oversight of the operational delivery of the marketing and admissions functions and support and management of the marketing and admissions team.

Governance

• As Clerk to the Governors, manage the business, agenda, meetings and minutes of the Board of Governors and its Committees.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House requirements.
• Manage and advise on internal governance policies.
• Actively manage the Risk Register.

Safeguarding

As this post is in a school the successful person will engage in regulated activity relevant to children. Giggleswick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The school has a range of policies and procedures for child protection and security. All staff are expected to familiarise themselves with and follow all these policies and procedures as part of their professional responsibilities. This includes participating in training and other activities that ensure the School stays complaint with relevant legislation, regulations, and good practice. The School’s Safeguarding Policy can be found here. Please read this information as part of your application to the role.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Housing allowance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance

Work Location: In person