Chief Operating Officer

Summary

The COO runs the centralised operational services that support them, and also has oversight of sustainability, risk, audit and compliance in addition to playing a key strategic role in future planning.

Detail

Appointment of COO

Founded in 1847, Taunton School is a vibrant, ambitious, co-educational day and boarding school, with a rich history of educational excellence. Today, over 1100 pupils aged 0-18 years benefit from the school’s inspirational teaching, broad and inclusive co-curricular provision and wholehearted commitment to the wellbeing of the school community. The school is global in outlook, with international academic pathways, and an IB programme, which all reflect the continued commitment to preparing students to succeed within a global community. Situated on a stunning 56-acre campus in the heart of Somerset, Taunton School offers a wealth of opportunities for students to be challenged, nurtured and inspired.

The school is now looking to appoint a COO to lead and manage a complex support staff body serving all non-academic operations of the school, ensuring its overall financial health and sustainability. Reporting to the Head and CEO of Taunton School, the COO will provide strategic and commercial input into key areas of the school, building on its track record of success and driving it through the next exciting and ambitious stages of its development.

The successful candidate will be an ambitious senior professional, with a demonstrable record of success in commercial, operational and financial management roles, including the delivery of organisational change, and the ability to implement and contribute to the overall strategic aims of the school. We are seeking a natural relationship builder who can engage stakeholders at all levels and drive forward innovation through collaborative leadership.

Taunton School is an equal opportunities employer, with Disability Confident and Menopause Aware status, and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, or age. Candidates will be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skills, qualifications, abilities, experience) in selection and recruitment. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Taunton School has engaged the services of Saxton Bampfylde to assist with the recruitment of their next COO.

Candidates should apply for this role through Saxton Bampfylde’s website at www.saxbam.com/appointments using code TBUAA

Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 1st July.

For a confidential conversation please contact Jo Ogilvy, Consultant, via jo.ogilvy@saxbam.com

Key dates for this process:

· Interviews to be held via Teams on 30th and 31st July

· W/c 11th August, briefing day & school tour

· 28th August final interview on site

GDPR Personal Data Notice

According to GDPR guidelines, Saxton Bampfylde Ltd are only able to process your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, health, sex life, or sexual orientation) with your express consent. You will be asked do not include any Sensitive Personal Data within your CV (although this can be included in your covering letter if you wish to do so), remembering also not to include contact details for referees without their prior agreement.

Safeguarding

Taunton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

KCSIE Online Checks

In line with the latest KCSIE guidance, Saxton Bampfylde will conduct a search of online records that are publicly available on shortlisted candidates. These checks are used only to meet the intended purpose of the KCSIE’s recommendation in relation to whether an applicant is suitable to work with children and young people. All data will be held in line with data protection regulations.

Documents

• COO Candidate Brief - June 25
• Operational and Business Services Organisational Structure
• SSMT

Further Information

www.saxbam.com/appointments