Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Required: Easter 2026 (flexible, subject to notice periods)

Reporting to: Headmaster

Hours: Full-Time, Full-Year

Member of: Senior Leadership Team (SLT)

Closing date: Tuesday 6th January, 12:00 noon

Interview date: Thursday 22nd January

The Role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and holds executive responsibility for operational leadership, whilst also overseeing the School's financial operations and ensuring that the financial strategy aligns with the School's long-term aims. Working in close partnership with the Headmaster, Finance Director, SLT and Governing Body, the COO will ensure that the School's strategy and operations are efficient, future-focused, financially sustainable, and aligned to the School's purpose and ethos. The role combines strategic leadership with high professional standards in financial oversight, facilities, IT capability, commercial development, contracts, and risk assurance.

The School

The King's School is one of the dozen oldest schools in the country and has a proud heritage dating back to at least 1087, with a re-foundation in 1541. King's is the Cathedral School in the city of Gloucester, whilst the surrounding county is home to many excellent grammar and state schools, as well as other independent schools. King's is held in high regard amidst this competitive area; our academic, co-curricular and pastoral attainment is second to none. As a result, the last three ISI reports for King's have all been classified as 'excellent' in every area. Local media brand SoGlos has awarded King's the title of 'Independent School of the Year' or 'Highly Commended' in every one of the last five years - a feat unmatched by any other local independent school - most recently winning the title in May 2025. Despite the multiple national-scale challenges of recent years, King's has seen its pupil roll growing steadily and parental satisfaction scoring very highly indeed. With careful investment in the campus and facilities, as well as a continuous focus on improving teaching and learning and developing our outstanding pastoral care, King's is now seen as a dynamic, forward-thinking and impressive place to study and to work.

Key Duties

As a central figure in the School's Senior Leadership Team, the COO will undertake a range of duties relating to Strategic Leadership & Organisational Development, Finance Partnership & Oversight, Estates, Capital Projects & Sustainability, Operational Management, Risk, Compliance & Governance, Commercial & Business Development, People & Culture. For full details, please refer to the applicant information pack.

Personal Profile

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following qualities and experience:

• Senior leadership experience in operations, commercial, or corporate roles within a complex organisation;
• Strong understanding of estates, operational delivery, compliance and business systems;
• Demonstrable ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and deliver organisational change;
• Ability to interpret and contribute to financial planning and reporting at senior level;
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute decisions at pace;
• Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Evidence of sound judgement, discretion, integrity and resilience;
• Alignment with the School's values, safeguarding culture and educational mission.

The following qualities are also desirable:

• Experience in the education sector, charity sector or independent schools;
• Experience delivering capital projects and organisational transformation;
• Knowledge of charity governance, ISI regulations and independent school compliance;
• Background working with Boards or Governing Bodies;
• Relevant professional qualification in estates, business, law, finance, project management or similar.

Salary

The salary offered will be competitive - reflective of the significance of this role in a leading HMC independent school - and will depend on skills and experience.

Benefits:

• Annual holiday entitlement of 25 days plus statutory bank holidays, rising to 30 days after five years' service;
• Staff fee remission for children at King's;
• Before and After-School care for children at King's when School is in session;
• Contributory employer's pension scheme;
• Cycle to Work scheme;
• Lunches when School is in session;
• Opportunity to participate in gym membership;
• Employee Assistance Programme;
• Free parking on-site;
• Appointment with the School Doctor if required.

Applications

Candidates should apply through TES or by submitting a completed School Application Form and Covering Letter via email via the button below. A CV is not required.

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 6th January at 12:00 noon, with interviews taking place on Thursday 22nd January. Candidates are advised that the School is on Christmas break from Monday 15th December to Friday 2nd January inclusive; applications received during this period may experience a slight delay in their acknowledgement.

For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller on or via email to .

The King's School, Gloucester is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check (including Children's Barred List), satisfactory references from previous employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including a prohibition from teaching check where appropriate (which may include for some non-teaching positions) and, in line with KCSIE, an online search for shortlisted candidates only - this will consist of a Google and social media search. The search is looking for anything that calls into question the candidate's suitability to work with children, or could cause harm to the reputation of The King's School, Gloucester. Any information discovered will be shared with members of the interviewing panel prior to interview. Interviews will be conducted in person, and they will explore candidates' suitability to work with children. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013, 2020 and 2023), which would otherwise mean that certain convictions and cautions are considered 'protected' and would not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they were disclosed, employers could not take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: