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- Tasks: Lead and optimise operational performance across multiple campuses in the creative education sector.
- Company: Join AD Education UK, a leader in creative media education with a strong vision for innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension scheme, healthcare plan, and generous staff discounts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education and make a real impact on student experiences and organisational culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior operational roles, ideally in complex, multi-site organisations.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse leadership team committed to inclusivity and student success.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 105000 £ per year.
AD Education UK is a growing network of leading creative education institutes in the UK. The group's institutions are united around strong values and sharing a vision for creativity and innovation within creative media education. With over 40 years of pioneering and sector-leading experience, our graduates can be found throughout the music, film, games and wider creative media sectors, winning prestigious awards and employed within the highest echelons of their respective creative fields. Our market-leading portfolio of schools includes The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) and SAE Institute UK.
SAE Institute was founded in 1976 and is a globally operating higher education provider focused on creating a talent pipeline for the creative media industries. Our network of campuses spans over 28 countries on six continents with more than 40 campuses. SAE Institute in Europe is part of the AD Education group of companies, delivering industry-focused creative education to more than 30,000 students. SAE offers industry-focused Creative Media Degrees across eight subject areas – Audio, Content Creation & Online Marketing, Film, Game Art Animation, Games Programming, Music Business, Visual Effects, and Web Development. ICMP (The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance) is a leading UK music school with campuses in London and, in 2025, opening in Liverpool and Leeds. For over 35 years, ICMP has been at the forefront of contemporary music education, offering personalised, industry-focused training to help students thrive in the competitive music industry. ICMP delivers innovative undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including specialisations in Electronic Music Production, Live Event Management, and Music Marketing.
AD Education UK is at a pivotal point in its evolution. As the UK home of SAE Institute and ICMP, we operate across multiple campuses, disciplines, and brands, educating future creators and technologists at a time of rapid change in education, technology, and the creative industries. We unite creative and critical thinkers to harness technology and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
The Chief Operating Officer ("COO") is a senior C-suite executive responsible for leading and optimising the organisation's operational performance across a complex, multi-site and multi-departmental environment. Working in close partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Executive Committee, the COO develops and delivers operational strategies, enterprise processes, and enabling systems that provide the structures, resources, and conditions required for academic delivery to thrive, while supporting effective delivery, scalability, and sustainable organisational performance.
- Lead and evolve the organisation's operating model, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and accountability across campuses and functions.
- Act as the executive lead for core operational processes, embedding standardisation, performance discipline, and continuous improvement.
- Shape and deliver the estates and campus strategy, ensuring physical environments actively enable academic delivery, collaboration, and future growth.
- Lead IT, digital and systems strategy as a primary enabler of operational effectiveness and change, not a support function.
- Act as senior responsible owner for major transformation, systems, and change programmes, delivering results in live operational environments.
- Play a core role in shaping organisational culture—modelling values, embedding collaborative behaviours, and creating the conditions for high performance.
- Ensure that operational delivery, systems, and campus environments consistently support and enhance student experience, service quality, and academic outcomes.
- Set the tone for how the organisation plans, governs, and executes at scale.
You will sit on the Executive Committee, work in close partnership with the CEO and academic leadership, and have real authority to shape how the organisation operates.
You are an experienced COO or equivalent senior operational leader who brings rigour, structure, and delivery focus. You are known for being highly process-driven, systems-oriented, and calm in complexity. You bring:
- Proven experience operating at executive level in complex, multi-site, multi-departmental organisations.
- A strong track record of designing, standardising, and scaling enterprise-wide processes.
- Significant experience leading IT, systems, and technology-enabled change.
- Credibility delivering large-scale transformation while maintaining operational continuity.
- The confidence to lead through complexity, ambiguity, and delivery.
- An understanding of how operational excellence enables student success and institutional performance.
- Experience in education or regulated environments is welcome, but not essential as we recognise that strong candidates may bring transferable leadership experience from other sectors and encourage applications from those who meet most, but not necessarily all, of the criteria.
AD Education UK is committed to building a diverse leadership team and fostering an inclusive environment where colleagues and students can thrive. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from individuals who are currently underrepresented in senior leadership within higher education and the creative industries. If you are a disciplined, systems-minded leader who wants to build an operating model that enables people, performance, and progress; we would like to hear from you.
The deadline for applications is 26 April 2026.
Note: ADE is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. ADE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults. Successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure.
Benefits include:
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Auto-Enrolment Pension Scheme with Royal London Pension
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Enhanced Maternity and Adoption Pay
- Enhanced Paternity Pay
- Occupational Sick Pay
- Healthcare Cash Plan
- Group Income Protection (Legal & General)
- Life Assurance (Legal & General)
- Season Ticket Loans
- Ride to Work Scheme
- Staff Discounts – Short Courses 2025-2026 50% off ICMP courses
Chief Operating Officer employer: ICMP - The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
Contact Detail:
ICMP - The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend events, and engage on social media. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that COO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, mission, and recent developments. This will help you tailor your responses and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams through change and complexity. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact and how you can drive operational excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It's the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at AD Education UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer
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 our mission at AD Education UK.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you've improved processes or led successful transformations in previous roles. We love seeing real impact!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who can shape our culture, so don’t be afraid to express your values and vision for operational excellence in education.
Apply Through Our Website: For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at ICMP - The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into AD Education UK's mission, values, and the specific institutions under its umbrella. Understanding their creative education ethos will help you align your responses with their vision and demonstrate genuine interest.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a COO, your leadership skills are paramount. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multi-site operations or implemented large-scale transformations. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Emphasise Operational Excellence
Highlight your experience in designing and standardising processes that enhance operational performance. Discuss how you've previously improved efficiency and accountability in complex environments, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
AD Education UK values a collaborative culture. Think about how you've shaped organisational culture in past roles. Be prepared to share examples of how you've modelled values and behaviours that foster high performance and inclusivity.