At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-performing services to enhance educational experiences across Yorkshire.
- Company: Join Place Partnership Trust, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to youth education.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package focused on wellbeing and professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity with potential for significant career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while driving strategic initiatives and commercial growth.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in complex operational and commercial environments.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 £ per year.
Kirklees Council are advertising this role on behalf of Place Partnership Trust. To Start As Soon As Possible, a rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Trust as Chief Commercial & Operating Officer (CCOO) at Place Partnership. This role sits at the heart of Place Partnership, connecting strategy with delivery and aligning people, processes and services so that we can deliver the best possible educational experiences for children and young people across Yorkshire.
The CCOO will drive joined‑up delivery across the Trust, translating strategic priorities into action. The CCOO will lead and develop scalable, high‑performing shared services across Governance, Compliance, Estates (including PFI), ICT, Data and operational risk. Through clear standards, a service catalogue and robust SLAs, the postholder will ensure services are responsive to academy need, compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements, and consistently delivered.
Working closely with the Executive Team and Trustees, the role will provide high‑quality assurance, insight and reporting, and strengthen accountability. Commercial leadership is a core element of the post. The CCOO will develop and deliver the Trust’s Commercial Strategy, identifying sustainable growth opportunities, partnerships and efficiencies that build capacity, generate additional income and release increased resource for frontline education. New opportunities will be assessed against operational readiness, ensuring systems, processes and people are in place to deliver successfully.
The postholder will also hold executive responsibility for risk protection and insurance arrangements (including commercial insurance and the Risk Protection Arrangement (RPA) where applicable), internal audit, business continuity and operational risk. A key aspect of the role will be to build upon the post holder’s skill set and experience; working with the specialists within managed teams to deliver operational compliance and strategic aims.
The successful candidate will be:
- A credible, strategic executive leader with a strong track record of leading teams and delivering strategy across complex operational and commercial functions.
- A natural ‘connector’, skilled at breaking down barriers, aligning teams and creating shared ownership across complex services.
- Commercially astute and growth‑minded, spotting opportunity, building strong partnerships and securing sustainable value that benefits frontline education.
- Operationally strong and disciplined, bringing clarity, structure and consistent standards to improve performance and service user experience.
- Analytical and evidence‑led, comfortable using insight, risk intelligence and performance data to inform decisions and prioritise resources.
- Calm and decisive under pressure, responding to complex and high‑stakes situations with composure.
- Confident, knowledgeable and diplomatic, able to challenge constructively, build consensus and communicate clearly with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Values‑led and integrity‑driven, modelling openness, fairness and accountability, and building trust through consistency.
- Digitally confident, viewing technology as an enabler of better services, smarter processes and stronger organisational resilience.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward‑thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care and education of young people. Place Partnership represents the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. Both organisations shared a clear ambition - to grow our families of schools, extend the impact of our work, and ensure more children, families and communities could benefit from high‑quality education.
We recognise that by coming together, we will create a larger organisation with greater capacity to deliver exceptional learning experiences, strengthen school improvement, and contribute more meaningfully to the wider education system. From 1 September 2026, we will comprise 12 academies, supporting children and young people from early years through to Post 16. We treat people with care and compassion, building belonging, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. We recognise that our people are our greatest strength, and as such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth.
For full details, please see our recruitment pack. For an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact kparker@maltbylearningtrust.com. Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, further details of which can be found at www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.
Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles. Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information. Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.
Closing Date: Friday 5 June 2026 at 12 noon. Interviews are expected to take place between: 09 June to 12 June 2026.
Chief Commercial & Operating Officer - Place Partnership Trust employer: Kirklees Council
Place Partnership Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits and fostering a culture of inclusion and respect. As a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to delivering high-quality educational experiences across Yorkshire, employees can expect meaningful work, strong support for career development, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of children and young people. Joining Place Partnership means being part of a collaborative team that values integrity, accountability, and innovation in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Commercial & Operating Officer - Place Partnership Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a role like the CCOO at Place Partnership. You never know who might have the inside scoop or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the Trust's values and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about improving educational experiences for children and young people across Yorkshire.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate how your experience aligns with the role’s requirements, especially around commercial strategy and operational excellence. We want to hear how you can drive growth and efficiency in a way that benefits frontline education.
✨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, it shows us you’re serious about joining our forward-thinking team at Place Partnership.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Commercial & Operating Officer - Place Partnership Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Chief Commercial & Operating Officer role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and delivering strategy, as well as your commercial acumen.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've successfully led teams and aligned complex services in your previous roles. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to connect with people and create shared ownership across functions.
Be Data-Driven:Since the role involves using insight and performance data, include examples of how you've used analytics to inform decisions in past positions. This will show us you're comfortable with evidence-led approaches.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage early applications as we may start interviewing sooner than the closing date. Head over to our website to apply and make your mark!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know the Trust Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Place Partnership Trust's mission, values, and recent initiatives. Understanding their strategic priorities will help you align your experience with their goals, showing that you're not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
As the CCOO role heavily focuses on commercial leadership, be prepared to discuss your past experiences in developing and implementing successful commercial strategies. Bring specific examples of how you've identified growth opportunities and built partnerships that have led to sustainable value.
✨Demonstrate Operational Excellence
Highlight your ability to translate strategy into action by discussing your experience in managing complex operational functions. Be ready to share how you've improved performance and service user experience through clear standards and structured processes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders Effectively
Since the role requires strong communication skills, think about how you've successfully engaged with various stakeholders in the past. Prepare to discuss how you've built consensus and navigated complex situations while maintaining composure and clarity.
