Job Title: Chief Operating Officer

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer

Salary: negotiable

Employer: Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST)

Line Manager: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: Central Services Manager and Finance Officer

Key relationships: Contact and liaison with staff within ODST (centrally and in schools) and in ODBE

Job purpose

The post holder is expected to carry out the professional duties as described below and take a leading role in the day to day operational and strategic direction of the Trust. He or she is expected to take responsibility for the development of high standards of practice working alongside the CEO and other stakeholders.

Principal Accountabilities

·  Maintain and develop an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards and procedures for ODST

·  Ownership of all conversion and capital projects for ODST

·  To take the lead on all trust and property issues affecting ODST schools

·  Business development and procurement

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Maintain and develop an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards and procedures

·  Shape and implement the strategic plan as part of the senior leadership team

·  Deliver agreed objectives within the ODST strategic plan

·  Coordinate the budget planning process for ODST and its member schools

·  Manage and control expenditure within agreed budgets

·  Produce financial reports to the Board of Directors as required

·  Manage the day to day support functions that underpin ODST and its schools

·  Establish appropriate mechanisms for measuring internal operational processes

·  Ensure all statutory policy requirements for ODST schools and the central Trust are adhered to, reviewed and updated as appropriate and reports provided where required

·  Provide support to ODST schools on compliance and other matters, at strategic and operational level where required

2.  Ownership of all conversion and capital projects

·  Take the lead on all applicant school conversion projects, working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the academy process is delivered in a timely manner

·  Identify opportunities for new build ODST schools and create an effective template for preparing bid documentation

·  Ensure ODST schools make use of appropriate funding mechanisms to enable value for money on all capital projects

·  Manage all significant capital building projects to establish new ODST schools and liaise with Headteachers, governors, consultants, contractors and other interested parties as necessary

3.  To take the lead on all trust and property issues affecting ODST schools

·  As part of the ODST leadership team develop the SLA offered to member schools

·  Liaise with solicitors, surveyors, LA officers, DfE officers and Charity Commission over school site and trust issues

·  Take ownership of all premises and health and safety responsibilities relating to ODST schools

4.  Business development and procurement

·  Work with the Senior Leadership team and Board members of ODST to understand the emerging business needs for existing and new schools

·  Identify viable new business opportunities for the services ODST provides by generating leads and managing relationships with potential clients and business partners

·  Develop new services to offer to ODST members schools and other ODBE schools

·  Develop an effective marketing strategy to promote new services to schools and secure business so that new income streams are generated for ODST

·  Develop a procurement strategy for ODST to ensure economies of scale are achieved and value for money provided to member schools

NOTE: The current main duties and responsibilities of this post are outlined in this job description. The list is not meant to be exhaustive. The need for flexibility, shared accountability and team working is required. The post-holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities, commensurate with the post’s banding and whenever reasonably instructed. The post-holder will also take on line management responsibilities for ODST support staff and will oversee the work of third-party consultants as appropriate. Whilst the post-holder will report to the CEO of ODST on a day to day basis, they will ultimately be accountable to the Board of Directors of ODST.

As the organisation grows, so too will its leadership requirements and it is hoped that there will be an agreed transition of responsibilities from the existing (part-time) CEO to this post-holder, should the right applicant be recruited, who will ultimately undertake the leadership of ODST as CEO.

Christian principles underpin the way the organisation runs and its partnership with schools and academies and the post-holder must be committed to the organisation’s vision and values.

Professional Standards - knowledge, skills and competencies

Qualifications: / Essential / Desirable
·  Educated to Degree level or equivalent / a
·  Professional financial qualification- e.g. CIMA, ACCA / a
Knowledge and Skills:
·  Strong financial background and ability to understand and develop budgets within a schools framework
·  Ability to understand and disseminate complex pieces of legislation and Codes of Practice
·  Ability to think creatively, to work strategically, and to anticipate and solve problems
·  Proven track record of developing business planning and managing the introduction of new initiatives
·  Ability to prioritise, plan and organise when under pressure acting with decisiveness and determination when dealing with difficult situations
·  Excellent communication skills
·  Inspirational ability to challenge, motivate and empower others to carry the Diocesan vision forward inside ODST
·  Committed to the personal and professional development of self and others, including the ability to give and receive effective feedback
·  Significant relevant management experience
·  ICT literate and willing to embrace new technologies
·  Knowledge of the principles of financial management in schools / a
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·  Good understanding of education regulations, management and other issues affecting schools / a
·  Good presentation skills / a
Experience:
·  Proven experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with a wider range of stakeholders
·  Experience of collaborating and networking with others locally and nationally
·  Experience of compliance management / a
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·  Demonstrable evidence of successfully leading projects across a wide range of stakeholders / a
·  Business development
·  Appreciation of current educational landscape including issues relating to academies / a
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GENERAL INFORMATION

Remuneration / Subject to experience, range to be negotiated
Hours of work / For FTE a nominal record of 37 hours, Monday to Friday, but a flexible approach to working is expected. Due to the nature of the role there will be some requirement to attend evening meetings.
Place of work / Currently based in Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, with travel to ODST schools and other locations expected
Holidays / 24 days paid annual leave plus Public Holidays.
Pension Provision / Eligible for membership of LGPS
Probation period / Six months, during which time progress is regularly reviewed and the period may be extended.
Notice period / During probation, 1 month and thereafter, 3 months from either side

Date of next review: January 2016

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January 2015