Chief Operating Officer

Esteem Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) currently comprises of six special and two alterative provision (pupil referral unit) academies throughout Derbyshire and east Staffordshire.  Formed by a group of like-minded school leaders in August 2018, the MAT is responsible for the education and welfare of approximately 900 students and employs around 500 staff. The total revenue budget for the MAT is approaching  £20 million and plans are already in place to expand further.

Esteem Multi-Academy Trust has a well-defined set of values and a clear vision for the MAT to become a regional hub in the Midlands for expertise in SEND and inclusion.  We share a collaborative ethos, believing that our collective efforts will achieve a better outcome than we can as individual schools.

The Chief Operating Officer position is a newly created role and will be critical in shaping and developing the MAT.  This presents a unique opportunity for somebody that shares our values and beliefs to join our team at a very exciting time. This post is key to driving forward our ambitious future plans and will provide clear financial and commercial direction to the MAT, acting as Chief Finance Officer and Company Secretary.

As Chief Operating Officer you will report to and work alongside the Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for leading and managing all aspects of finance and business management, as well as contributing to the overall strategic direction of the MAT. Within the role you will be responsible for the financial sustainability and development of the MAT, as well as the leadership and professional management of the Finance, HR, Estates, IT and Governance functions.

With responsibility for business planning and risk management you will be tasked with ensuring all systems, structures and staffing are of a high standard and meet the MAT’s requirements.  You will be required to act as senior financial and business adviser to the Trust Board, providing strategic financial information and recommendations, to enable them to make informed decisions.

The successful candidate must be an exceptional professional with ambition and drive, who shares the organisation’s values and passion for improving the lives of students with special educational needs and other barriers to learning. He/she will hold a business management and/or relevant professional qualification and have experience of delivering management and financial accounts. The ideal candidate will be able to perform successfully at an operational and strategic level, have experience of education and academy sector finance, and be commercially astute.  He/she will also have excellent inter-personal skills.

This will be a challenging environment, so strong leadership skills and the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels are pre-requisites.

Benefits include; Local Government Pension Scheme, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, flexible working, 37 hours per week, Staff Welfare Scheme and free parking.

For more information and an application pack, please contact Karen Clarke, PA to Chief Executive Officer, on 01623 859749, via email to kclarke@esteemmat.co.uk or visit our web site at www.esteemmat.co.uk/jointheteam.

Closing date for applications: 12:00 Noon on Friday 8th February 2019

Interview and assessment day: Monday 4th March 2019