White Hill Schools Trust Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job Description

Transcription

1 White Hill Schools Trust Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job escription Role Summary The Chief Operating Officer is tasked with leading and managing all of the non-academic aspects of the Trust, with the primary purpose of supporting the achievement of outstanding educational outcomes for the Trust s students. This will be done in conjunction with Headteachers and other senior staff. The primary performance criterion for the role is to help secure, through providing effective and efficient operational support, the best possible educational provision in every one of the Trust s schools. White Hill Schools Trust currently consists of one secondary school and two primary schools with a plan to include an additional secondary school and two primary schools by the end of The Chief Operating Officer will report to the xecutive Headteacher initially and to the Chief xecutive once appointed. The COO will have responsibility for Finance, HR, Premises and IT, and will take the lead on projects including the expansion of the Trust. The position will also incorporate the role of Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Trust, taking responsibility for ensuring financial compliance with statutory and legal requirements as well as being responsible for financial management and reporting across the schools of the Trust. Job Purpose evelop budgets for each Academy in conjunction with Headteachers and combine these into an optimum budget for the Trust, including the development of a strategic forward financial plan Financial management and reporting, ensuring the Trust makes the best possible use of available resources including income generation Risk management and health and safety compliance Oversight of Human Resources and payroll Oversight of property/premises management, maintenance and development Leadership of effective systems, policies and processes evelop, operate and maintain an effective IT infrastructure for the Trust

2 COO Responsibilities Strategic Contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust and the development and implementation of the Trust and Academy evelopment Plans. Identify and develop strategies and options in all non-teaching aspects that will contribute to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Trust, such as exploring internal synergies and opportunities for partnership working. MAT xpansion Oversee the project management of the conversion of both sponsored and converter academies into the Trust including undertaking due diligence where additional schools wish to join the Trust. Financial evelop and implement one-year and three-year financial plans, taking into account SFA and relevant government guidelines, and other sources of information about budget trends and local pupil demographics. Review these plans annually. Lead and advise the Trust Board on investment and financial policy, preparing financial project appraisals where appropriate. nsure accurate preparation of the monthly management accounts, forecasts, and other non-financial reports for the Academies, explaining significant variances and trends to all relevant stakeholders, in accordance with agreed timetables. Maximise income generation across the Trust. Identify potential available grants both capital and revenue from f and other sources. Optimise the benefit to the Trust and Academies of funding from grants and other sources and ensure that funding is appropriately used and compliant with f statutory guidelines. Lead the development of Capital funding bids for Academies within the Trust. nsure that the annual accounts are properly audited, presented and adequately supported by the underlying books and records of each constituent academy; including the maintenance, development and enhancement of effective systems of internal control. nsure the Trust complies with the Academies Financial Handbook. nsure returns to the SFA and other funding agencies are completed correctly and on time, ensuring returns to statutory agencies are completed. Lead bids, tenders and negotiate contracts and ensure contracts and suppliers are managed and monitored cost effectively and efficiently to maximise value for money. Premises and health and safety evelop and implement a 3-year Premises Maintenance and Improvement Plan (PMIP) for the Trust, including coping with any significant changes in local pupil demographics. Maintain a Trust-wide Asset Management Plan and a Capital evelopment Plan. Lead and manage major development projects across the Trust. stablish clear accountability for health and safety management across the Trust, reporting risks and mitigations to the HT/CO and the Board.

3 IT, HR and regulatory compliance Review IT infrastructure performance and develop a 3-Year IT Plan for the Trust. Manage IT provision across the Trust and ensure compliance with service level agreements. Oversee the Trust s HR and pay policies and procedures as guided by the Board ensuring HR processes are followed across the Trust, especially in relation to recruitment and changes in staff remuneration. Prepare and maintain the Trust risk register. nsure that the Trust s processes and procedures are compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements. nsure regulatory compliance including FOI, GPR, Health and Safety legislation and Academies and Charities best practice. Safeguarding nsure the maximum level of security for Trust premises consistent with safeguarding legislation and the ethos of the Trust. Support the xecutive Headteacher/CO with their responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students including adhering to all safeguarding policies and procedures.

4 Person Specification Chief Operating Officer Candidates should ensure that they meet the essential criterial for qualifications, experience and supporting evidence ducational and Professional Qualifications ducational and Professional Qualifications ssential/ esirable Assessment ducated to degree level Professional Qualifications in a relevant discipline (ASBM, ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA, AAT or equivalent vidence of continuous professional development Qualified Project Manager IOSH Managing Safely xperience Significant experience leading the strategic financial planning of an organisation xperience of staff leadership and management including evidence of achieving performance improvement across diverse teams Reference xperience of strategic business or service planning and the development of a growing business xperience of the Academy Conversion process xperience of effectively managing a multi-million pound budget xperience of procuring and managing services and contracts ensuring that value for money and performance indicators are met Successful track record of managing complex, significant projects from inception to completion xtensive experience working as a member of a senior team xperience of asset and facilities management xperience in an educational environment xperience of working within a Multi Academy Trust Track record of successful fund raising and profile raising activities xperience of Company Secretarial responsibilities

5 Knowledge Financial management processes and systems in a complex people-oriented organisation Company and charity law, particularly governance, accounting and reporting requirements. Government Policy around Academy conversion and Multi Academy Trust operations Current Health and Safety legislation Financial and regulatory requirements within publicly funded education Understanding of relevant employment legislation Skills and Personal Attributes xcellent communication skills at all levels xcellent numeracy skills Strong IT skills across all common and industry specific programmes Reference Good financial analysis and risk management skills emonstrable ability to work strategically and to develop and implement creative solutions Inspirational leadership skills, utilised to positively and productively challenge colleagues, peers and teams A track record of establishing and maintaining excellent internal and external organisational working relationships Resilience within a highly pressurised environment Committed to equality Ability to work across multiple sites, regularly travelling between settings Ability to make and substantiate difficult decisions xemplary levels of integrity Willingness and ability to attend Board and other meetings outside normal working hours Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all