Chief Operating Officer

Founded in 1567, Rugby School is one of the UK’s oldest and most famous co-educational boarding schools. Located in the centre of the market town of Rugby in Warwickshire, the school provides an exceptional educational environment for some 860 students aged 13 to 18. Rugby School is a complex and historic organisation which is fast becoming a leading global educator with a growing family of schools overseas, partnerships delivering online learning and a recent merger with a leading prep school, Bilton Grange, which is situated 3.5 miles away on its own 90-acre site.

The Governors and Head Master seek to appoint a highly motivated, financially astute and commercially driven Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO will be joining an ambitious and highly successful organisation as it sets out on the next stage of its development. With responsibility for finance, estates, IT, HR, domestic operations and commercial enterprises, candidates will be able to demonstrate proven ability in executive leadership, strategic planning and operational delivery within large, complex environments.

Reporting to the Head Master, the COO will lead a diverse support team of 550 staff and, as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, will seek out and drive forward opportunities to broaden Rugby’s horizons and extend its reach. They will be a dynamic and collaborative senior leader and a strategic thinker with strong financial and commercial acumen and the ability to empower and develop others to ensure the continued success of Rugby School. An excellent communicator, the COO will strive for excellence and operate at pace.

Prior experience in the education sector is not a prerequisite, and applications are encouraged from candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds. The successful candidate will, however, demonstrate empathy with independent education and a commitment to Rugby’s philosophy of education.

A highly attractive remuneration package, including accommodation and fee remission, will be available for the successful candidate.

Interested candidates are invited to contact RSAcademics to arrange an informal and confidential discussion about the role: 

Nina Lambert, Head of Bursar Search: ninalambert@rsacademics.com

For further information about the role and details of how to apply, please visit www.rsacademics.com

Closing date: 10.00am on Monday 13th May 2024.

Rugby School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. 

The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information brochure.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.