At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-performing shared services across Governance, Compliance, Estates, and ICT.
- Company: Join Place Partnership, a dynamic organisation merging two successful Trusts in Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, competitive salary, enhanced pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture prioritising wellbeing and recognition for excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education by driving innovation and operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field and proven leadership experience in operations or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 86162 - 95196 £ per year.
Place Partnership – an ambitious organisation representing the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire, Maltby Learning Trust and Accord Multi Academy Trust – is looking for a Chief Commercial & Operating Officer to lead and develop scalable, high-performing shared services across Governance, Compliance, Estates (including PFI), ICT, Data and operational risk.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing strategic and operational leadership across the Trust’s shared services, implementing scalable and responsive systems for Governance, Compliance, IT and Estates.
- Ensuring operational services are aligned to Trust priorities to enable high-quality educational experiences for all children and young people.
- Driving efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement across all operational functions by automating routine tasks, where possible, and optimising processes through data-driven insights.
- Leading the development and implementation of operational strategies that support Trust growth and sustainability.
- Providing independent assurance on the effectiveness of shared services through oversight of the catalogue of services and individual SLAs.
- Ensuring all operational services meet statutory, regulatory, and Trust policy requirements.
- Leading on risk management for operational services, identifying and mitigating potential issues.
- Providing executive leadership for business continuity and disaster recovery across the Trust, ensuring that robust plans, testing cycles and recovery arrangements are in place and capable of maintaining operational resilience in the event of disruption.
- Ensuring all academies and shared services align to Trust-wide continuity standards and that critical functions have clear recovery priorities, escalation routes and communication plans.
- Leading the Trust’s operational risk register, ensuring all service areas – including ICT, estates, governance and compliance – are accurately risk‑assessed, monitored and escalated, providing clear assurance to the CEO and Trust Board.
Skills and Experience
- Degree in a relevant field.
- Proven track record of leading large-scale operational functions and managing complex workforce challenges.
- Experience of working at Executive or Board level and reporting to Trustees or Governors.
- Substantial senior leadership experience in operations, estates, or facilities management or related fields, ideally in the education or public sector.
- Experience of leading teams and driving service improvement.
- Deep understanding of health & safety compliance, cyber security, data protection and risk management.
- Commercially astute and growth‑minded, spotting opportunity, building strong partnerships and securing sustainable value that benefits frontline education.
- Digitally confident, viewing technology as an enabler of better services, smarter processes and stronger organisational resilience.
- Analytical and evidence‑led, comfortable using insight, risk intelligence and performance data to inform decisions and prioritise resources.
Generous annual leave entitlement. Corporate paid healthcare cash plan through Westfield Health. Competitive salary with incremental progression. Enhanced pension scheme. Extensive professional learning and development. Family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and parental leave. Collaborative working culture. Staff recognition programmes celebrating excellence, dedication, and positive impact. Supportive, inclusive environments where wellbeing and belonging are prioritised. Access to Reward Gateway offers.
Salary: £86,162 – £95,196 per annum (SPOT salary to be agreed subject to skills and experience).
Contract and Hours: Permanent, Full Time, Full Year.
Location: Place Partnership Trust.
Closing date: Friday 5 June 2026 at 12 noon.
Chief Commercial & Operating Officer employer: Point 13 Jobs
Place Partnership is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With generous benefits such as a competitive salary, enhanced pension scheme, and extensive learning opportunities, the Trust is committed to fostering a supportive environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the education of children and young people in South and West Yorkshire.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Commercial & Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the education sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Trust’s values and recent initiatives. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see you shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Chief Commercial & Operating Officer position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Commercial & Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Highlight your key points and make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As we’re looking for someone to lead and develop scalable services, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've driven efficiency and innovation in previous roles – we love to see that proactive approach!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Point 13 Jobs
✨Know the Trust Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly research Place Partnership and its mission. Understand their values, recent initiatives, and how they operate. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As a Chief Commercial & Operating Officer, your leadership skills are crucial. Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in operational functions. Highlight how you drove efficiency and innovation, as these are key aspects of the job.
✨Be Data-Driven
Given the emphasis on data-driven insights in the job description, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decisions and optimise processes. Discuss any tools or methodologies you've employed to analyse performance data and improve service delivery.
✨Prepare for Risk Management Questions
Since risk management is a significant part of the role, be ready to discuss your approach to identifying and mitigating risks. Think of scenarios where you've successfully managed operational risks and how you ensured compliance with health and safety regulations.
