At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational strategy and drive excellence across multiple academies.
- Company: Join a mission-driven Catholic Trust focused on transforming children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time role, and the chance to shape educational futures.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a high-performing team in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing organisation with a clear vision for impactful education.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience and a passion for operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 108202 - 134860 £ per year.
Role overview
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Hours of work: Full-Time
- Salary: EPR 13-22 (£108,202/£134,860) – Starting salary will be determined based on experience and track record
- Location: Liverpool
- Closing date: 9am Monday 22nd June
- Interviews will be held: TBC
About the role
Shape the future of a growing Catholic Trust. St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust is based in the Liverpool City Region with six primary and four secondary academies. As a united family of academies, we are fully aligned around our central mission to transform children’s lives by providing them with a world‑class Catholic education. This is a rare opportunity to join a mission‑driven organisation with an unrelenting pursuit of excellence and a clear trajectory for substantial growth. With the Trust set to expand to include 66 schools and 28,000 children by 2031, the COO will play a critical role in building the infrastructure, systems, and capacity required to support a larger, more complex organisation.
Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Finance and Strategy Officer (CFSO), you will lead the operational strategy of the Trust—ensuring that all non‑educational functions are aligned, efficient, and fit for scale.
The Role
As COO, you will provide strategic leadership across key operational areas, including estates, HR, IT, governance, compliance, and risk. You will:
- Develop and implement a scalable operating model to support the Trust’s growth plan
- Lead operational due diligence and onboarding of new schools, ensuring seamless integration into the Trust
- Lead on organisational design and infrastructure, ensuring readiness for new schools joining the Trust
- Drive operational excellence, embedding efficient, consistent systems and processes across all academies
- Work in close partnership with the CFO to ensure strong alignment between financial planning and operational delivery
- Oversee estates and capital strategy, supporting both expansion and sustainability
- Strengthen governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks
- Build and lead a high‑performing central services team
- Develop and evolve a high‑performing shared services model, ensuring central functions deliver efficient, consistent, and value‑adding support across all academies
- Lead and embed a culture of operational excellence, driving continuous improvement, standardisation, and high‑quality execution across the Trust
- Ensure that all operational activity is delivered in line with the Trust’s agreed values, behaviours, and culture, role‑modelling and reinforcing these across the organisation
To request an application pack or to arrange a confidential conversation please email dion.mills@edwinpeople.com or call 07860966343.
Who we are looking for
The Candidate
We are seeking a strategic, experienced leader with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence in a complex, multi‑site organisation. You will bring:
- Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role (COO, Director of Operations or equivalent)
- A track record of leading organisations through growth, transformation, or scale‑up
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Strong commercial and organisational acumen, with the ability to translate strategy into delivery
- Experience of working alongside finance leadership to drive integrated decision‑making
- The ability to lead diverse functions and build cohesive, high‑performing teams
- A commitment to the values and ethos of Catholic education
Chief Operating Officer in Liverpool employer: Edwin People Limited
St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming children's lives through a world-class Catholic education. Located in the vibrant Liverpool City Region, the Trust offers a collaborative work culture that prioritises operational excellence and employee growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development as it expands to include 66 schools by 2031. Joining our mission-driven organisation means being part of a supportive community that values integrity, teamwork, and a commitment to educational excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved with multi-academy trusts. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Trust's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around operational excellence and growth. Tailor your examples to highlight your strategic leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your vision for operational strategy and how you would support the Trust’s expansion plans.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the COO role. Highlight your operational leadership experience and how it relates to the mission of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; focus on your achievements in previous roles. Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've driven operational excellence and supported growth in complex organisations.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who embodies the values and ethos of Catholic education, so share your passion for transforming children’s lives and how you can contribute to our mission.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Edwin People Limited
✨Know the Mission Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the mission and values of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. Understand how they aim to transform children's lives through education. This will not only help you align your answers with their ethos but also show your genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a COO, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to develop and implement scalable operating models. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led operational strategies during periods of growth or transformation. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these strategies to support the Trust's ambitious expansion plans.
✨Highlight Team Leadership Skills
The role requires building and leading high-performing teams. Think of instances where you've fostered collaboration and driven operational excellence within diverse functions. Share how you’ve created a culture of continuous improvement and how you plan to do the same at the Trust.
✨Prepare for Financial Integration Discussions
Since the COO will work closely with the CFO, brush up on how operational decisions impact financial planning. Be prepared to discuss your experience in aligning operational delivery with financial strategy, and how you can ensure seamless integration of new schools into the Trust while maintaining financial health.
