Chief Executive Officer & Accounting Officer

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide inspirational and values-led leadership for the Trust, setting a clear strategic vision that delivers excellence for all children and young people.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Trust's strategic plan, ensuring long-term sustainability, growth and impact.
• Promote a culture of ambition, inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement across all schools.

Educational Excellence

• Drive outstanding educational outcomes and school improvement across the Trust.
• Ensure high standards of teaching, learning, curriculum and inclusion.
• Champion evidence-informed practice and innovation.

People and Culture

• Develop and empower leaders at all levels, building leadership capacity across the Trust.
• Foster a positive organisational culture where staff can thrive and perform at their best.
• Lead workforce development, talent management and succession planning.

Governance and Accountability

• Work closely with Trustees and Local Governing Bodies to ensure strong governance and accountability.
• Act as the key adviser to the Board on educational, strategic and operational matters.
• Promote the highest standards of integrity, transparency and public accountability.

Finance and Operations

• Ensure effective stewardship of public funds and organisational resources.
• Provide strategic oversight of financial planning, risk management, compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure the Trust remains sustainable, resilient and responsive to future challenges.

System Leadership and Partnerships

• Represent the Trust locally, regionally and nationally.
• Build strong partnerships with schools, families, community organisations and external stakeholders.
• Strengthen the Trust's role as a civic leader within education and the wider community.

Person Spec

Essential

• Proven senior leadership experience in education, including successful secondary headship experience (consideration will be given to candidates with exceptional non-secondary experience)
• Significant system leadership experience with demonstrable impact across schools, trusts or wider education settings.
• Track record of improving educational outcomes and driving sustained school improvement.
• Experience of developing and delivering organisational strategy and leading change.
• Strong understanding of curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and accountability.
• Experience of financial oversight, resource management and delivering value for money.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience of developing high-performing teams and senior leaders.
• Ability to build effective relationships with trustees, governors, staff, pupils, families and external partners.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, equity and high expectations for all children and young people.
• Values-led leadership with integrity, resilience and strong emotional intelligence.

Desirable

• Relevant postgraduate or professional qualification.
• Experience of leadership across multiple schools, phases or settings.
• Experience of leading within a multi-academy trust environment.
• Experience of trust growth, merger, organisational expansion or significant transformation.
• Experience of working with initial teacher training, research schools or wider system leadership organisations.
• Experience of influencing educational policy or contributing to regional or national education networks.
• Understanding of the Accounting Officer responsibilities within an academy trust.