Required: Easter 2026 (flexible, subject to notice periods) Reporting to: Headmaster Hours: Full-Time, Full-Year Member of: Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Closing date: Tuesday 6th January, 12:00 noon Interview date: Thursday 22nd January.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and holds executive responsibility for operational leadership, whilst also overseeing the School's financial operations and ensuring that the financial strategy aligns with the School's long‑term aims. Working in close partnership with the Headmaster, Finance Director, SLT and Governing Body, the COO will ensure that the School's strategy and operations are efficient, future‑focused, financially sustainable, and aligned to the School's purpose and ethos. The role combines strategic leadership with high professional standards in financial oversight, facilities, IT capability, commercial development, contracts and risk assurance.
Key Duties
As a central figure in the School's Senior Leadership Team, the COO will undertake a range of duties relating to:
* Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development
* Finance Partnership & Oversight
* Estates
* Capital Projects & Sustainability
* Operational Management
* Risk, Compliance & Governance
* Commercial & Business Development
* People & Culture
Personal Profile
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following qualities and experience:
* Senior leadership experience in operations, commercial, or corporate roles within a complex organisation;
* Strong understanding of estates, operational delivery, compliance and business systems;
* Demonstrable ability to lead multi‑disciplinary teams and deliver organisational change;
* Ability to interpret and contribute to financial planning and reporting at senior level;
* Strategic thinker with the ability to execute decisions at pace;
* Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills;
* Evidence of sound judgement, discretion, integrity and resilience;
* Alignment with the School's values, safeguarding culture and educational mission.
Desirable qualities
* Experience in the education sector, charity sector or independent schools;
* Experience delivering capital projects and organisational transformation;
* Knowledge of charity governance, ISI regulations and independent school compliance;
* Background working with Boards or Governing Bodies;
* Relevant professional qualification in estates, business, law, finance, project management or similar.
Salary and benefits
The salary offered will be competitive – reflective of the significance of this role in a leading HMC independent school – and will depend on skills and experience.
* Annual holiday entitlement of 25 days plus statutory bank holidays, rising to 30 days after five years' service;
* Staff fee remission for children at King's;
* Before and After‑School care for children at King's when School is in session;
* Contributory employer's pension scheme;
* Cycle to Work scheme;
* Lunches when School is in session;
* Opportunity to participate in gym membership;
* Employee Assistance Programme;
* Free parking on‑site;
* Appointment with the School Doctor if required.
Applications
Candidates should apply through TES or by submitting a completed School Application Form and Covering Letter via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk. A CV is not required. Closing date for applications is Tuesday 6th January at 12:00 noon, with interviews taking place on Thursday 22nd January. The School is on Christmas break from Monday 15th December to Friday 2nd January inclusive; applications received during this period may experience a slight delay in acknowledgement. For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller on 01452 337337 or via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.
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