Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational excellence and drive transformation across our multi-academy trust.
- Company: Star Academies, a leading multi-academy trust dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, healthcare plans, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of young people and make a real impact in education.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in operational transformation and strategic leadership.
- Other info: Join a values-driven organisation with excellent career progression potential.
The predicted salary is between 136000 - 184000 £ per year.
Star Academies is one of the country's leading multi-academy trusts, with a diverse network of primary and secondary schools serving communities across the country. We are committed to educational excellence, character development and service to our communities, nurturing today's young people and inspiring tomorrow's leaders.
About the role
We are now seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join our executive leadership team. This pivotal new role will lead the next phase of organisational development, ensuring our operational infrastructure, systems, and people strategies are cutting‐edge, scalable, and fully aligned with our mission. Working closely with the Chief Executive and the Trust's Senior Leadership Team, you will champion and drive operational excellence across the organisation. You will lead our business transformation programme, encompassing digital transformation, professional services, HR and people strategy and services, talent development through our Talent Academy, estates and facilities, and governance - ensuring these functions work seamlessly to enable outstanding outcomes in all our schools.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for an experienced senior leader with a track record of operational transformation in complex, multi-site organisations. You will bring strategic vision, systems-level problem-solving skills, and a collaborative leadership style that builds trust and organisational capability. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a values-driven, high-performing trust and make a significant contribution to the life chances of thousands of young people.
About Star Academies
Star Academies is a high-performing multi-academy trust that runs more than 30 primary and secondary schools. We are a values-based organisation that works to improve the life chances of young people in areas of social and economic deprivation to help them succeed at the highest levels of education, employment and the professions. Every single day you’ll be rewarded with the opportunity to shape a young person’s future - our STAR values embody what we believe is needed to succeed. Professional development is key to our ongoing success, so we continually invest in our employees through our professional development hub, Star Talent Academy. With a wealth of training, mentoring and progression opportunities across a large, growing group of academies, joining our team of leading education experts could propel your career to the next level. We can also offer you a range of rewards and benefits, including competitive salaries and pension schemes, generous holiday entitlements and healthcare cash plans.
Find out more
Please download the Appointment Brief for further information about the role. If you have any questions about the role or the recruitment process, please contact Daniel Burgess, Lead Resourcing Partner, by emailing daniel.burgess@staracademies.org.
Key dates:
- Closing Date: 9 March 2026
- Interview Date: 27 March 2026 (at Star Central, in Blackburn)
- Proposed Start Date: To be negotiated
Application process
For more information and to apply online, please go to:
Chief Operating Officer in Blackburn employer: Cipd Hr30
Contact Detail:
Cipd Hr30 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Blackburn
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a COO role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Star Academies thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in their organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've driven operational transformation or led teams successfully. These anecdotes will showcase your experience and align with what Star Academies is looking for in a COO.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the team at Star Academies and ready to contribute to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Blackburn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Chief Operating Officer role. Highlight your operational transformation experience and how it relates to our mission at Star Academies.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to see your collaborative leadership style in action! Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've built trust and capability within teams, especially in complex, multi-site organisations.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your achievements and vision for the role. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see your potential impact.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of education with Star Academies.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cipd Hr30
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Star Academies' mission, values, and recent initiatives. Understanding their commitment to educational excellence and community service will help you align your responses with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Transformational Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past successes in operational transformation within complex organisations. Highlight how your strategic vision and problem-solving skills have led to measurable improvements in efficiency or outcomes.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Leadership
Star Academies values a collaborative leadership style. Be ready to discuss how you've built trust and capability within teams, and how you plan to foster a culture of collaboration across various departments.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Think of insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the organisation's future. Ask about their current challenges in operational excellence or how they envision the COO's role evolving in the next few years.
