Chief Executive Officer

Role:Chief Executive Officer

Location:Coventry

Salary:£125,000-£140,000

Start Date:September 2026 or January 2027

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer who will shape the next phase of our Trust's journey, strengthening our culture of belonging, driving standards, and ensuring longterm school and Trust sustainability.Working alongside the Trust Board to build and develop ourvision of"Growing Confident Learners by Leading Learning and Excelling Together",the new CEO will provide the strategic vision,ambitionand operational clarityto take Castle Phoenix forward.

About Castle Phoenix Trust

Castle Phoenix Trust is avaluesdriven organisation with a strong belief that"together we are stronger".We empower each school tomaintainitsuniquenesswhilst eachbenefitsfrom shared alignment, leadership development and strong systems and structures across the Trust.

Ourcurrentstrategic priorities focus on:

1. Creating a Culture of Belonging

Through effective leadership, inclusiveclassroomsandhigh expectationsto improve pupil outcomes and staff engagement.

2. Growth and Expansion

Strengthening and scaling central services, onboarding new schools, and refining systems to supportTrustwide excellence.

3. Financial Sustainability

EmbeddingIntegrated Curriculum Financial Planning (ICFP),strengthening financial systems, forecasting, and ensuring all schools set andmaintainbalanced budgets.

You will lead a Trust with a clear mission and awelldevelopedimprovement model built on collaboration, leadership development, shared systems andhighqualitylearning and teaching.

The Role

As CEO, you will be the strategicleader 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,attendanceand inclusion, with a focus on vulnerable learners.
• Strengthening Central Services and ensuring they are efficient, effective andhavehighimpact.
• Driving the Trust's growth and expansion strategy, including due diligence, onboarding and succession planning.
• Securing the Trust's longterm financial resilience through strongfinancial management, ICFP implementation and robust oversight.
• Championing our culture of belonging and continuing to refine leadership capacity across all schools.

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate will be an exceptional,values-drivenleader who candemonstrate:

Experience

• Senior Trust-level leadership.
• Educationsectorexperienceis desirablewitha track recordof improving standards in at least one school.
• Experience working in challenging circumstances, securing rapid and sustainable improvement.
• Experience of leading change and implementingorganisationwide systems aligned to a strategic plan.
• Demonstrable impact on standards, inclusion,safeguardingandoutcomes.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of data, performance measures, and using analytics to drive improvement, reflecting the Trust's focus on data dashboards and performance KPIs.
• Desirable to have acomprehensiveunderstanding ofinclusion, SEND, and strategies to improveengagement.
• Highlevel financial acumen, includingIntegrated Curriculum Financial Planning, budget setting,forecastingand risk management.
• Ability to lead and inspire a culture of belonging, collaboration, andhigh expectationsacross diverse contexts.

Personal Qualities

• Strategic thinker withstrongmoral purpose,integrityand resilience.
• Ability to build strong relationships withkey stakeholders;Headteachers, Trustees,communitiesand external partners.
• Commitment to developing people, talentpathwaysand leadership capacity.

What We Offer

• A Trust with strong values,a clear visionand a collaborative culture.
• Committedtrustees, engaged leaders and a growing family of schools.
• A culture that values professional growth,innovationand 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.

Training & Safeguarding Expectations

All staff are expected to engage fully with ongoing safeguarding and professional development requirements, including mandatory training.

Data Protection

Personal data provided during the recruitment process will be processed in accordance with our Trust's Data Protection Policy.