Chief Operations Officer
Sfaet Ltd, Romford, RM2 6HJ5 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2026
Closing date
3 November 2025 at 11am
Date listed
9 October 2025
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £77,550.00 - £84,042.00 Annually (Actual)
Chief Operations Officer job summary
Are you an experienced and dynamic leader ready to shape the future of a growing multi-academy trust? SFAET is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to drive operational excellence, foster continuous improvement, and ensure strategic alignment across our organisation. The COO will work closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Trust Board in leading our Trust to shape and deliver the Trust's objectives. The successful applicant will be accountable for developing and implementing the Trust's Operations Strategy, overseeing all operational functions including Estates & Facilities Management, IT, Data, Health & Safety, Compliance, Procurement, and Sustainability. A key focus will be on efficiency. quality, and adherence to statutory requirements.
This is a senior role in the organisation and the post holder will work with the CEO and the Executive Leadership Team on the shaping and delivering of the Trust's objectives, driving a culture of continuous improvement in all support areas, and leading a successful and growing organisation. The post holder will proactively promote and demonstrate the SFAET Pledge and Principles.
Please use this link to see a booklet detailing all the roles specifics and person Specification for the role. Chief Operations Officer A condensed list can be found below.
Purpose Of The Role:
To develop and implement the Trust's Operations Strategy, providing high impact services across the Trust with a focus on efficiency and quality.
To be accountable for the operational functions of the Trust, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and strategic alignment to the Trust's strategic goals.
To be accountable for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Trust's climate and sustainability plan in line with statutory requirements and regulatory body expectations.
To be responsible for the development and delivery of the Trust Estates Strategy incorporating and commissioning periodic conditions' surveys of all school sites, and overseeing the implementation of capital allocation funding.
To lead and manage Trust wide initiatives, operating across the Trust to bring programme teams together to deliver programmes of change and development, on time and within budget.
Co-develop clear, legally compliant and institutionally appropriate policies within a policy framework relevant to the setting, ensuring relevant consultation and governance, working closely with the Governance Clerk.
To have oversight, and be responsible for all operations budgets, as well as project specific budgets.
Have overall responsibility for the procurement, dissemination and monitoring of training in all areas within the remit of the role for direct reports and all staff.
Strategic Leadership Role
Contribute to the development of long term plans and policies to support the growth and success of the Trust.
Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and implement operational strategies aligned with the multi-academy Trust's overall objectives.
To lead Academy conversions, acquisitions or mergers, ensuring robust due diligence is undertaken and that DFE/ESFA/Government policy, guidance and frameworks are followed.
Work with the CEO, CFO and other relevant staff to contribute to the annual and medium-term capital expenditure and business plans, considering key performance improvement indicators, funding projections, and other potential events and activities.
Estates and Facilities Management
Be accountable for the management of facilities across multiple academies, including the centralisation of planned preventative maintenance and ESFA capital estates projects under each under one single managed service agreement across the Trust.
To have oversight and responsibility for the collaboration with the Executive Team, architects, quantity surveyors and building contractors to plan, oversee and implement strategic capital developments to meet existing and future educational provision needs.
Ensure the governance of H&S is such that the Trust schools remain compliant with all relevant legislation and all risks are appropriately identified, recorded, mitigated and managed.
Develop and implement strategies to optimise the use of physical resources.
To present reports to Trustees on the utilisation of School Condition Allocation (SCA) funding, including evidencing value for money, and budgeting and tendering activities.
Digital Technologies
Provide strategic oversight and leadership to the development and delivery of the Trust's IT Strategy ensuring that the organisation remains up to date with IT resources that are fit for purpose for administration functions and teaching and learning; ensuring the implementation and maintenance of a wide area network, server infrastructure, cloud technologies a safe and secure IT environment.
Data Services - Management and Analysis
Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of operational data to provide accurate and timely statutory returns and to inform decision-making. Ensure the implementation of systems to track key performance indicators and report to the CEO, Executive Team and Trustees on operational performance.
Health and Safety
Ensure the effective implementation of Health and Safety requirements across the Trust and compliance with Health and Safety laws, reporting where required to Trustees Ensure the development and maintenance of appropriate operational systems to support the aims and objectives of the SFAET Have overall responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of policies, the conducting of risk assessment with control measures to mitigate risks and the promotion of a safety culture in the Trust.
Sustainability
To develop, implement and monitor the Trust's sustainability plan in line with statutory requirements and regulatory body expectations.
Attendance Work
In partnership with the Trust Attendance Lead to ensure optimum levels of pupil attendance and reductions in the rates of persistent and severe absence are maintained Oversee the effective operation of the Attendance Policy and the associated Trust strategy in conjunction with the Trust Attendance Lead. Ensure a solution-focused approach is used to creatively remove barriers to attendance whilst ensuring compliance with the relevant statutory or Trust framework.
At SFAET, we are deeply committed to the wellbeing and professional development of our staff. We foster a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member is valued, supported, and rewarded for their contributions.
At SFAET, we believe our staff are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating a positive and supportive work environment where everyone can thrive.
We are dedicated to fostering a supportive and rewarding environment for our staff, prioritising their wellbeing and professional development.
We offer: A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. A focus on staff wellbeing, with initiatives and resources to support a healthy work-life balance. Opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression. A collaborative and inclusive culture where your contributions are valued and rewarded.
Further information about the job
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 school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Sfaet Ltd
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Head office location
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