Director of Operations - Chester Diocesan Academies Trust

Director of Operations

Chester Diocesan Academies Trust

Salary: circa £60k p/a

Hours: Full time, all year round

Location: Hybrid – Home working plus regular visits to the Trust’s office (Church House, Daresbury) and visits to schools within the Trust

We are looking to appoint an experienced, committed Director of Operations to play a significant role in developing and promoting the strategic direction and future growth of Chester Diocesan Academies Trust (CDAT).

CDAT is a successful and expanding multi-academy Trust currently made up of thirteen very diverse primary schools from across the whole of the Diocese of Chester.

Formed in 2014 by the Chester Diocesan Board of Education (DBE), the Trust has a distinctive ethos that is clearly rooted in clear, Christian values – respect, friendship and trust, to name just three. These impact on every area of our work and are communicated and shared in such a way that all member schools can understand and relate to them. Although the Trust was initially set up by the DBE, it is fully inclusive and we are happy to welcome both church and community schools into the CDAT family.

Children are at the heart of CDAT. We want each individual to develop knowledge, skills, understanding and wisdom, underpinned by values based on principles that are important to people of all faiths and no faith. It is our mission that every child at our schools experiences ‘life in all its fullness’ and has the very best opportunities for learning and personal growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and personable individual to join the Trust during a period of exceptional and fast-paced growth. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical skills and sound judgment, able to use high levels of emotional intelligence to build key relationships with stakeholders. You will operate with the highest levels of integrity and have the inner resilience to handle high levels of pressure. Key to this role is the ability to work as a team player, able to both maintain a sense of humour and work with tact, diplomacy and discretion.

You will be committed to high standards, best value and continuous improvement, along with the CDAT vision, values, aims and objectives.

Successful candidates will have a proven track record of being part of a successful leadership team, able to demonstrate evidence of managing change and managing multiple high-level projects concurrently, with successful outcomes. You will be able to adopt a strategic approach to organisational growth and improvement with relevance to the school/academy system: structures, accountability and funding.

The Director of Operations will:

• Be a member of the Trust’s senior executive team, playing a significant role in developing and promoting the Trust’s strategic direction and future growth;
• Provide strategic leadership and management of the Trust’s operations, estates, assets and facilities;
• Ensure that the Trust’s operations, estates, assets and facilities are compliant with statutory requirements, including the development of relevant policies;
• Work with current IT providers to develop and implement a strategic development plan for IT infrastructure and provision across the Trust;
• Work with relevant building consultants to develop and implement the Trust’s estates management strategy, taking a leading role in securing and prioritising funding for capital projects;
• Provide strategic leadership of HR across the Trust, liaising with the Trust’s HR providers in developing policy and practice;
• Provide the Trust board with regular updates pertaining to the responsibilities of the role.

To register your interest for the role of Director of Operations, please visit www.joincdat.co.uk

To arrange an informal, confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Laura McGunigle at Satis Education on 07931384683 or laura@satiseducation.co.uk

• The closing date for applications is 26th June
• Shortlisting 27th June
• Interviews: 3rd July, reserve day 4th July

Please note: we are encouraging early application, the Trust reserve the right to close applications for this post early

CDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we will check the suitability of staff to work with children. Applicants must be willing to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and overseas police checks (where applicable).