Chief Operations Officer

Inova Multi Academy Trust Limited, Sheffield, S1 4BY

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  22 June 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  5 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
  • Other support roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: Full time, Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: From £110,000 per annum

What skills and experience we're looking for

• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to translate strategy into operational plans, KPIs and deliverable projects.

• Excellent understanding of key operational areas relevant to a MAT: estates and capital, HR and people, IT/digital infrastructure, health and safety, and governance/compliance.

• Strong financial acumen and commercial awareness, including understanding of budgets, value-for-money, contracts and procurement.

• Highly developed leadership, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with headteachers, governors, trustees and external partners.

• Strong project and programme management skills, able to prioritise and deliver multiple initiatives across different sites.

• Substantial senior leadership experience in operations in a complex, multi-site organisation (ideally a MAT, public sector, or similarly regulated environment).

• Proven track record of leading organisational change and transformation programmes, including technology-enabled and service redesign projects.

• Direct responsibility for several professional service functions (e.g. HR, estates, IT/digital, governance/compliance, administration).

• Experience of risk management, business continuity and ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements (including health and safety and data protection).

• Experience of reporting to, and working with, Boards or Trust Boards and their committees.

• Evidence of building and leading high-performing teams and developing senior staff.

What the school offers its staff

• Flexible working
• Continuous CPD and training through our Institute of Talent
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (for non term-time staff), rising to 31 days after 5 years of service
• BUPA Healthy Minds scheme - 24/7 confidential support for wellbeing, health, relationships, work, and legal or financial issues — including counselling, CBT, and nurse advice. Local Government pension scheme​
• Free, convenient staff parking across all INOVA locations.
• Competitive pension schemes, including the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  
• Access exclusive discount schemes for teachers and public service staff across retail, travel, and lifestyle.
  
• Save on bikes and equipment through our Cycle to Work Scheme, stay active, and reduce your carbon footprint.
  
• Annual flu vaccinations are offered free to all staff at our school sites to help keep you healthy.
  
• Eligible colleagues can enjoy eye-care vouchers to help with regular eye tests and maintain good vision.
  
• Discounted health cover through Westfield Health to support your wellbeing and provide extra care.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Provide strategic leadership of all non-teaching/operational functions across the Trust (e.g. estates, HR, IT, governance/compliance, and business services) to support the Trust's school excellence strategy.

• Work closely with the CEO and C-Suite to translate the Trust’s vision and School Improvement Plans into robust operational plans, KPIs and reporting.

• Lead Trust-wide business transformation and continuous improvement, including the redesign of central and school-based professional services, operating models and processes.

• Oversee estates and facilities management, including capital projects, health and safety, asset management and long-term premises planning across all academies.

• Ensure legal, regulatory and policy compliance (e.g. safeguarding processes, health and safety, data protection/GDPR, Freedom of Information, procurement, contractual obligations).

• Lead operational risk management and business continuity planning, including development, testing and review of Trust-wide resilience arrangements.

• Develop and oversee the People strategy for both school and central teams, working closely with the People Director to support recruitment, retention, talent management and staff wellbeing.

• Manage and develop senior operational leaders and build a high-performing, collaborative central services team.

• Contribute to financial sustainability through efficient resource planning, value-for-money procurement, and monitoring of operational budgets in partnership with the CFO.

• Provide high-quality reports, insight and recommendations to the Trust Board and its committees to support effective governance.

• Champion a positive, inclusive culture aligned with the Trust’s values and the needs of local communities.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Inova Multi Academy Trust Limited

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Inova Multi Academy Trust Limited website
• Email address: kmellors@inovamat.org
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/tapton-school-academy-trust

At INOVA Multi‑Academy Trust, we believe wholeheartedly that our people are our greatest strength. It is our talented, dedicated and passionate colleagues—across our schools and central team—who make it possible for our pupils to flourish. When staff feel valued, supported and empowered, they create the conditions where children and young people can thrive.


We are committed to fostering a culture where colleagues feel respected, listened to and encouraged to bring their best selves to work every day. INOVA staff consistently go above and beyond, demonstrating professionalism, creativity and care in everything they do. Their commitment is the driving force behind the high aspirations we hold for every learner.


We also recognise that working in education can be fast‑paced and demanding. That’s why we take a solutions‑focused approach, removing barriers wherever possible and ensuring our people have what they need to succeed—whether that’s protected time for wellbeing, access to outstanding professional development, or simply the space to pause for a much‑needed cup of tea.

Arranging a visit to Inova Multi Academy Trust Limited

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email kmellors@inovamat.org.

Head office location

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