Chief Operations Officer – Consilium Academies

Location: Eccles, Manchester

Salary: £93,422.00 - £103,029.00 Annually (Actual)

Job Start Date: September 2026

Job Term: Full time, Permanent

Closing Date: 30 April @ 9am

Consilium Academies is a Multi-Academy Trust dedicated to Excellence and Equity with Integrity. With eight schools across Salford, South Yorkshire, and the North East, we are committed to delivering excellent education, supporting staff development, and creating opportunities for every student to thrive. Our collaborative culture is built on support, professional growth, and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

The Role

The COO will drive the Trust’s Operational Excellence, which is a key strategic pillar of the Trust’s existing strategy.  The COO will ensure that systems, processes, and services enable schools to focus on teaching, learning, and pupil outcomes, as well as ensuring the long term sustainable of the Trust estate, lead on capital projects including new school builds.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership of Operations

• Lead the Trust’s operational strategy aligned to the Strategic Plan.
• Provide strategic leadership across Estates, IT, Operations, Sustainability, and Compliance.
• Design and implement a Trust-wide operational excellence model.
• Establish clear KPIs, service standards, and performance dashboards across operational functions.

Compliance, Risk & Assurance

• Lead Trust-wide compliance, risk management, and business continuity planning.
• Oversee health and safety and statutory compliance across all schools.
• Ensure high standards of website compliance and statutory reporting.

Estates & Capital Development

• Lead the Trust’s estates strategy and capital development programme.
• Oversee maintenance, compliance, and long-term estate planning.
• Lead sustainability strategy and ensure safe, high-quality learning environments.

IT & Digital Infrastructure

• Lead the Trust’s digital and IT strategy.
• Ensure secure, resilient, and user-focused IT systems.
• Oversee data protection and GDPR compliance.

Culture & Central Services

• Ensure central services are cohesive, responsive, and aligned to Trust values.
• Build a collaborative culture between central teams and schools.
• Work with Trust leaders to ensure joined-up strategic planning.

Leadership

• Lead, develop, and performance manage central operational leaders.
• Ensure all central services work to shared KPIs and aligned priorities.
• Lead cross-Trust operational planning and continuous improvement.

About You

We are looking for a strategic operational leader who:

• Has significant senior leadership experience in operations, estates, IT, compliance, or business services.
• Has experience leading operational strategy and organisational improvement.
• Has experience managing estates, capital projects, contracts, and procurement.
• Has strong knowledge of compliance, health & safety, risk management, and governance.
• Has strong project and programme management skills.
• Can use data, KPIs, and performance metrics to drive improvement.
• Ideally has experience in education, public sector, or a Multi-Academy Trust.

Why Join Consilium Academies?

• Be part of a values-driven Trust committed to excellence, equity, and integrity.
• Work as part of a collaborative and ambitious Executive Leadership Team.
• Access high-quality professional development through our Centre for Professional Learning.
• Play a key role in shaping the operational strategy and future growth of the Trust.

If you are an experienced operational leader who shares our values and vision, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Applications and Information

For further information about the role please see attached recruitment pack including, job description and person specification.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to arrange a conversation with the CEO please contact the Director of HR, Craig Fawcett at craig.fawcett@consilium-at.com he will then make the necessary arrangements.

Closing date for applications is 30th April 2026

Interviews will take place on 13th & 14th May 2026

Safeguarding

Please ensure that within your application you provide the names, addresses, and contact details for two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer.

Consilium Academies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments are made subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.

The Trust is an equal opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Under Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, the Public Sector fluency duty requires state funded