For Application pack please go to : https://www.milwards.essex.sch.uk/vacancies/
Role Details
- Job Title: Chief Operations Officer
- Salary: £49,282 – £60,402 depending on experience, plus outer London fringe allowance (£729 per annum)
- Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer
- Hours: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
- Location: Hybrid role based mainly at Henry Moore Primary School, Harlow, with travel between sites as required.
Purpose of the Role
To lead the trust’s operational and people services so that schools run smoothly, efficiently and safely, fully supporting teaching and learning.
The role provides leadership across:
- HR
- Estates
- Administration
- Communications
- Compliance
- Budget oversight (alongside the CFO)
Main ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership, Planning and Culture
- Lead the trust’s people and operations strategy in line with improvement priorities.
- Set consistent, high-quality operational standards across the trust.
- Provide reporting and insight to senior leaders and trustees on:
- risks,
- compliance,
- staffing capacity,
- operational performance.
- Build a professional, proactive operational culture.
HR and Payroll
- Lead workforce planning, recruitment, retention and succession planning.
- Advise leaders on HR and employee relations matters.
- Ensure HR practices are fair, legally compliant and consistent.
- Lead performance management and appraisal systems.
- Maintain and update HR policies.
- Oversee staff training and development.
- Lead wellbeing and attendance support strategies.
- Monitor HR data including:
- absence,
- turnover,
- recruitment metrics.
- Work with the HR & Compliance Manager to ensure payroll and statutory returns are completed accurately.
Finance
- Ensure compliance with:
- accounting regulations,
- funding agreements,
- the Academy Trust Handbook.
- Work with the CEO and CFO on financial sustainability and efficiency savings.
Estates and Health & Safety
- Lead estates strategy and asset management.
- Ensure statutory testing and premises compliance are completed.
- Oversee:
- health & safety systems,
- risk assessments,
- incident reporting,
- maintenance planning.
- Support capital projects and site improvements.
- Support sustainability strategy development.
Administration
- Lead administrative and pupil welfare support services.
- Ensure effective systems for:
- pupil records,
- admissions,
- attendance,
- statutory returns.
- Ensure GDPR compliance.
- Oversee governance administration and clerking support.
Marketing and Communications
- Lead internal and external communications strategy.
- Support:
- admissions,
- recruitment,
- reputation,
- income generation.
- Oversee websites and parent communications.
- Coordinate open events and promotional activities.
Pay: £49,282.00-£60,402.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
