Operations Director (COO)

The Opportunity

Following eight transformative years for Claremont, in which our sixth form has doubled in size, our whole school roll has increased by 50% (to around 1150 pupils), our governance has widened, diversified and strengthened, our academic results have leapt forward and our reputation has shone, we now have the opportunity to hone the key details that define us.   

While the pace of expansion in pupil numbers has now stabilised, the next phase of the school’s development is focused on strengthening and enhancing the quality, consistency and breadth of our offering. Our journey is far from complete, and the focus now shifts from expansion to sustained excellence, ensuring that the school fully realises its potential and continues to evolve its provision for pupils and staff. 

The role of Operations Director will be instrumental in shaping the school’s future. Overseeing all non-teaching aspects of a pupil’s journey, the role will drive continuous improvement across the campus, facilities and support services, ensuring an exceptional environment in which pupils and staff can learn, thrive and succeed.  

We are seeking a collegiate, astute and highly motivated individual who shares our ambition and values to join our Key Leadership Team as Operations Director. This is a pivotal executive leadership role, offering the opportunity to play a significant part in shaping the future of our successful and ambitious school, renowned for its strong sense of community, purpose and aspiration. 

Reporting directly to the Head, the Operations Director will serve as one of the Head’s principal strategic advisors and will provide leadership across a broad portfolio encompassing estates and operations, IT, people strategy, risk management and organisational development. 

Working in close partnership with the Head, Finance Director and Governors, the postholder will play a central role in delivering the school’s strategic ambitions, including the development and implementation of an exciting long-term Master Plan that will help shape Claremont's future for generations to come. 

This is a highly influential position requiring an accomplished senior leader who combines strategic vision, operational excellence and outstanding people leadership with the ability to translate ambition into successful delivery. 

Candidates will have a proven track record of developing and delivering organisational strategy, leading multi-disciplinary teams through growth, transformation and change, and demonstrating strong commercial and operational acumen. They will possess excellent relationship-building, influencing and communication skills, together with a strong understanding of governance and risk management. 

Experience within the education sector, charitable or mission-led organisations would be advantageous. 

Above all, the successful candidate will be a collaborative and authentic leader with the vision, judgement and drive to help shape the next chapter of Claremont's development. 

Please refer to the job pack for the complete job description, including responsibilities and person specification.

Why Claremont? 

Claremont is a warm, grounded and truly co-educational day school community where children thrive because they are encouraged to be themselves while striving for their best. Our ethos rejects hot-house culture; instead, we pair academic aspiration with kindness, curiosity and breadth of opportunity. 

Benefits include an attractive remuneration package, reflecting the seniority and significance of the position, a generous group personal pension scheme, life assurance, and staff fee remission (for eligible staff upon successful completion of probationary period), cycle to work scheme as well as complimentary lunches and refreshments during term-time

*Please refer to the benefits section under our “working at Claremont” page of our website for further details   

We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are fully committed to creating and sustaining a positive and supportive working environment free from discrimination where staff feel valued and respected. We value individuality and diversity and believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. 

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

Applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The school may carry out online searches on shortlisted applicants. 

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The school is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children."