At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Trust's strategic development and drive improvement across schools.
- Company: Castle Phoenix Trust, a values-driven organisation focused on collaboration and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contribution, free parking, employee discounts, and wellbeing days.
- Other info: Join a committed team dedicated to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education and make a real impact on children's lives.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in education with a track record of improving standards.
The predicted salary is between 125000 - 140000 £ per year.
Location: Coventry
Salary: £125,000-£140,000
Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027
About Castle Phoenix Trust:
Castle Phoenix Trust is a values‑driven organisation with a strong belief that “together we are stronger”. We empower each school to maintain its uniqueness whilst each benefits from shared alignment, leadership development and strong systems and structures across the Trust.
Our Current Strategic Priorities:
- Creating a Culture of Belonging: Through effective leadership, inclusive classrooms and high expectations to improve pupil outcomes and staff engagement.
- Growth and Expansion: Strengthening and scaling central services, onboarding new schools, and refining systems to support Trust‑wide excellence.
- Financial Sustainability: Embedding Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP), strengthening financial systems, forecasting, and ensuring all schools set and maintain balanced budgets.
The Role:
As CEO, you will be the strategic leader of the Trust, shaping culture, driving improvement, developing people, and ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, valued and able to thrive. This includes:
- Leading the Trust’s strategic development and delivering the ambitions and KPIs set out in our three‑year strategic plans.
- Ensuring all schools, particularly those in challenging circumstances, improve outcomes, attendance and inclusion, with a focus on vulnerable learners.
- Strengthening Central Services and ensuring they are efficient, effective and have high impact.
- Driving the Trust’s growth and expansion strategy, including due diligence, onboarding and succession planning.
- Securing the Trust’s long‑term financial resilience through strong financial management, ICFP implementation and robust oversight.
- Championing our culture of belonging and continuing to refine leadership capacity across all schools.
Essential Requirements:
- Experience: Senior Trust‑level leadership; education sector experience is desirable with a track record of improving standards in at least one school; experience working in challenging circumstances, securing rapid and sustainable improvement; experience of leading change and implementing organisation‑wide systems aligned to a strategic plan; demonstrable impact on standards, inclusion, safeguarding and outcomes.
- Skills: Desirable to have a comprehensive understanding in inclusion, SEND, and strategies to improve engagement; high‑level financial acumen, including Integrated Curriculum Financial Planning, budget setting, forecasting and risk management; ability to lead and inspire a culture of belonging, collaboration, and high expectations across diverse contexts.
- Personal Qualities: Strategic thinker with strong moral purpose, integrity and resilience; ability to build strong relationships with key stakeholders; headteachers, trustees, communities and external partners; commitment to developing people, talent pathways and leadership capacity.
What We Offer:
- A Trust with strong values, a clear vision and a collaborative culture.
- Committed trustees, engaged leaders and a growing family of schools.
- A culture that values professional growth, innovation and excellence.
- The opportunity to shape a Trust that is expanding its reach and impact.
- Highly skilled central services and a strong platform for sustainable growth.
- Pension contribution.
- Free parking.
- Employee discount scheme.
- Laptop/iPad.
- Access to on‑site gym/swimming pool.
- Access to leadership development.
- Wellbeing day.
- Annual whole staff conference.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Access to a fully funded Health Care Cash Plan.
- A committed team of staff across our central office and schools.
Vacancy Closing Date: 26 March 2026
Safer Recruitment Statement:
This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025, an online search may also be carried out as part of our safer recruitment processes. Castle Phoenix Trust is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We uphold a culture of vigilance and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Equal Opportunities Statement:
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
References Requirement:
All appointments are subject to receipt of two satisfactory references, including one from the applicant’s current or most recent employer. References will be requested prior to interview where possible.
Right to Work:
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence of this will be required at the interview stage.
Chief Executive Officer employer: WMJobs
Castle Phoenix Trust is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of belonging and professional growth, making it an ideal place for leaders in education. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, the Trust offers a collaborative environment where you can shape the future of education while benefiting from strong support systems, leadership development opportunities, and a range of employee perks including a pension scheme, wellbeing days, and access to on-site facilities. Join us in Coventry to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Executive Officer
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like WMJobs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like WMJobs.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to WMJobs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of WMJobs. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with WMJobs, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at WMJobs, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for WMJobs could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at WMJobs as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
