CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER RECRUITMENT PACK For

The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) Start Date: 1 January 2017 or earlier if possible DIOCESE OF BRISTOL ACADEMIES TRUST

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Welcome from the Chief Executive Officer Welcome and thank you for your interest in the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) working as part of our central team. The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) is seeking an inspirational and innovative leader who will take full advantage of this chance to be part of a growing and dynamic Trust, building on our established reputation and developing new ways to work with our increasing family of academies. DBAT aims to be a regional MAT leader with exemplary practice at all levels. Currently DBAT runs ten schools and educates over 2,000 children. Overall governance of each school resides with the Board of Directors of the Academies Trust with a Local Board of Governors to work with, support and challenge the Principal. One of our aims as a Multi-Academy Trust is to lead and run an excellent business operation that maximises quality, whilst retaining value for money and economies of scale. Local groups of schools work together in hubs to collaborate and to challenge and support each other with the aim of all our schools becoming outstanding in SIAMS and Ofsted categories. There are opportunities for shared business operations, with some early pilots underway. The central business team currently comprises a Commercial Manager, an Accountant and an Administrator. We recognise this team will need to grow and reconfigure over time as the trust grows. During 2017 – 2018 we may appoint an in-house HR team, and we will soon need additional administrative, financial and ICT capacity. A shared vision Intrinsic to our approach at the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust is the recognition that all schools are different with needs that emerge from their unique contexts. We work in partnership with the Headteachers, Governors, staff, parents and carers to affect a programme of long-term and sustainable excellence that will have a real impact, first for the pupils, but also for the staff and wider community. Financial, HR, Health and Safety, Assessment management and legal aspects are supported centrally, allowing the Principals and staff teams to focus on teaching and learning and the pastoral role that is naturally part of school and community life. In summary, we are looking for an outstanding Chief Operating Officer to be part of our Senior Leadership Team with the skills, leadership and enthusiasm to contribute to the growth of this Church of England Academy Trust and ensure it becomes a centre of educational excellence for its pupils and communities and a flagship Trust in the region. If you believe you have the skills and expertise to make such a significant contribution I hope that you will apply. We encourage applications from those with significant business experience and the skills to perform the role. The following information pack will guide you in understanding DBAT better and provide details specific to the COO role. We value your application and thank you in advance for your time in its consideration and submission. Please get in touch with me on 0117 906 0100 if you would like any further clarification after reading this document. Kind regards

John Swainston Page 1 of 12

Context The Diocese of Bristol stretches from west of the City of Bristol to the east of Swindon and includes schools in four local authorities: Bristol, Swindon, (North) Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire. There are 70 Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) schools, ranging from small rural to large inner city schools. The vast majority are good and outstanding primary schools. There are two secondary schools - both outstanding; both in Bristol. Within this family, a group of DBE schools are now led through the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) as sponsored, converter and brand new academies. A brand new DBAT primary academy opens in Wiltshire in September 2016. Additionally, there are three further bids in for primary schools in new residential areas across the diocese and we have a new Swindon Secondary Academy due to open in September 2018. DBAT has now reached a financially viable position. The Directors are therefore seeking to appoint to new posts of Senior Education Leader and Chief Operating Officer to enlarge the central senior leadership team. There has been considerable research into the ways of working in larger MATs. The South West has a new RSC, and the NSC has led regional roadshows to explain his new thinking on MAT development. DBAT is keen to enhance its reputation as an innovative and forward thinking trust that improves failing schools and can take good schools to outstanding within a strong values framework. DBAT is a Trust open to church and community schools. The ‘Articles’ protect the previous character of schools, so community schools will not be expected to take on CE status. Whilst it is not an organisational requirement that the successful candidate should be a Christian, it is essential that members of staff all agree to uphold the vision and values of the Trust and of the Church of England.

‘Authentically Communities’

Christian;

Nurturing

Excellence

and

Serving

Underpinning the DBAT intention to have a trust that is ‘Authentically Christian; Nurturing Excellence and Serving Communities’ (our strapline) is a strong multi-layered foundation based on Christian traditions and heritage. As the Church of England has recently re-formulated its vision for schools, we are reminded our purpose is to give children the opportunity to experience ‘life in all its fullness’ as well as reaching their full potential in academic, creative and spiritual dimensions. Our academies must ensure system leadership across the Trust whereby all staff and officers are committed to the provision of excellent education for all, in every academy. This moral purpose is what drives DBAT. Please see Appendix A for further details.

Key issues to which DBAT is committed Going forward as a growing Trust, DBAT seeks to build a staff complement (centrally and through academies) with the capacity to:   

Move schools from Good to Outstanding and to sustain outstanding practice Intervene in schools that are less than Good Ensure schools embed Christian Distinctiveness and live out the DBAT vision, values and strapline

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      

Deliver the growth strategy (doubling the number of schools in the 2016 – 2018 period) Lead and serve the hubs which are pivotal to the sharing of best practice that will ensure the highest quality of learning for all Lead school to school collaboration and development both for individual and corporate improvement Enhance the educational and business offer currently available to academies Improve internal communications Deliver leadership development and succession Demonstrate clear accountability in business functions, educational provision and governance

Job Description The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Job Summary:

To lead the development of the Trust’s business operation, ensuring operational excellence for both academies and the Trust’s central services team

Accountable To:

The Chief Executive Officer and the DBAT Board of Directors

Responsible For:

A team of staff, as negotiated, to run the business operation function of DBAT. This may involve restructuring the current team of Commercial Manager, Accountant and Administrator The overall performance of the finance, business and personnel function, including line management as identified The strategic leadership and direction of the service across the family of schools, ensuring a customer led approach, support for academy based teams and the training of new academies joining the Trust

Key Relationships:

DBAT Officers and staff - both the Central Team and Academy Principals and Business Managers

Salary:

To be negotiated, in the region of £55,000 - £60,000

Main Duties To play a key role in leading the Trust, ensuring that DBAT delivers operational excellence in its academies and in the Trust’s central services team As Chief Operating Officer you will support this by: 

Contributing to the effective working of the Senior Leadership Team

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        

Leading on business planning and continuity, finance, capital programme, estate and asset management, audit services, infrastructure (including IT), HR, Health and Safety, PR and marketing, using the skills of the business team for exemplary delivery Ensuring compliance with the Academies Financial Handbook and ensuring that the role of the Chief Financial Officer is fully met Ensuring a customer led approach, support for academy-based teams and the training of staff in new academies joining DBAT Leading the business team in the day-to-day management of sites, striving for operational excellence Ensuring the operational side of the business is robust, resilient and compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements Ensuring that the business model is scalable and effectively supports the growth of the Trust, building economies of scale to enable greater investment in children's education Ensuring effective systems of control and management of risk are in place and being implemented effectively Leading and managing cross functional teams to ensure the delivery of complex, cross cutting projects Project managing any Free School new build, contributing to any future Free School bids, academy conversions and other appropriate developments

Key areas of responsibility          

    

Explore and develop external networks to ensure that our operating model/teams are constantly improving Ensure that Directors are able to meet their legal and statutory governance duties and responsibilities, including advice to the Board on governance issues and the effective oversight of risk Produce and monitor an annual and long term overarching business plan for the Trust Lead and manage operational service areas, developing and delivering a coherent strategy to ensure that the needs of the academies and Trust are met Review and improve existing Trust financial and business systems and policies ensuring they are robust, compliant and support current activities and future growth Provide leadership to the Board on finance and accounting strategy to optimise the Trust’s financial performance, competence and strategic position Develop and oversee the quality of management information, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes Lead on the development and submission of bids and other income streams; Ensure the continued evolution of sound information systems to enable the Board to make measured strategic decisions Advise the CEO and oversee academies on all matters relating to the development, funding and management of capital works on the sites. Identify and prioritise capital spending requirements and the acquisition and spending of capital grants. Oversee the effective management and maintenance of the Trust’s sites, grounds and buildings and their security, maximising the use of the Trust’s estate to deliver DBAT’s vision. (All the above in partnership with the Diocesan Head of Governance and Property) Ensure accurate records are kept of all assets for the Trust Monitor and improve as necessary the operation of policies concerning procurement Ensure all legal agreements for services, supplies, leases etc. are structured appropriately and in the best interests of the Trust Health and Safety compliance Risk management and mitigation, strengthening control, ensuring that the CEO and Trustees are appraised of risks

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         

Ensure there is a strong PR and marketing strategy for the Trust which helps to further develop the Trust, its academies and develop strong positive profiles locally, and nationally for the Trust Ensure websites are compliant with all statutory requirements and are a highly effective part of DBAT’s communications strategy Ensure the Trust is compliant with Data Protection legislation/requirements Ensure that the Trust is compliant with Freedom of Information legislation/requirements Oversee the implementation of an IT strategy ensuring that there is an IT infrastructure and IT services that support a growing network of academies Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with external parties including the EFA, HMRC, the DFE, internal and external auditors Establishment and management of payroll, ensuring all legislation is implemented and adhered to by the Trust Lead and contribute to Trust priorities as needed Ensure the role of Company Secretary is fulfilled Ensure there is an effective clerking service for the Board

Other     

Be aware of, and comply with, policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, confidentiality and data protection, recording/ reporting all concerns to the appropriate person and disclosures to the relevant professional Be aware of and support difference and ensure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop; Contribute to the overall vision and values of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust; Attend and participate in meetings, training and learning activities as required; Other duties agreed from time to time by the post holder with the CEO

Special Notes and Conditions The postholder will be required to travel to any of the schools/academies within or outside the Trust as directed by the Chief Executive. Your principal place of work will be the offices of the Diocese of Bristol, however, you may be required to work on a temporary or an indefinite basis at any premises within reasonable daily traveling which the Trust currently has or at any premises at which it may from time to time provide services. You must be prepared to work long hours at certain times of the year and be available to work outside standard school hours. Time off In Lieu (TOIL) is available. You will also be required to further develop your potential through additional development programmes and staff training in order to demonstrate that you can maintain the standards required for the post.

Other Duties General The postholder will comply with the general terms and conditions of service and undertake such other duties appropriate to the salary and content of the work as may reasonably be required. Therefore, the list of duties in this job profile should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. Page 5 of 12

Data Protection The post holder is responsible for ensuring that workplace responsibilities are carried out in compliance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and the Employment Practices Data Protection Code, especially concerning confidentiality, treatment of personal information and records management. Health, Safety and Wellbeing With reference to all relevant advice and guidance, ensure each Academy complies with Health and Safety legislation and manage the security, upkeep and improvement its buildings to ensure an effective and safe environment that promotes the welfare of children and staff. Equality and Inclusion The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will require an Enhanced DBS check. We welcome all applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation. The post holder will take responsibility for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equitable treatment for all and take responsibility for their own learning and engagement with equality issues and actions and to consider the impact of their actions to ensure that they do not have a detrimental effect on achieving equality of opportunity. Any breaches may lead to termination of employment. Sustainability and Environment The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust is fully committed to sustainable development and environmental initiative. It accepts its environmental responsibilities and recognises the contributions it can make to the resolution of global, regional and local environmental issues. The Trust will support its academies in continuously seeking to find ways to improve its environmental performance and will comply, as a minimum, with all relevant environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice. All staff are required to support these aims.

General Notes This is a description of the job as it is constituted at the effective date shown. It is the practice of the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust to periodically review job descriptions, update them and ensure that they relate to the job performed, or to incorporate any proposed changes. This procedure will be conducted by the appropriate manager in consultation with the post holder. In these circumstances, it will be the aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible, DBAT reserves the right to make changes to your job description following consultation. Effective Start Date: 1 Jan 2017 or earlier if possible

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Person Specification Qualifications

Essential E Desirable D

Relevant professional qualification e.g. accountant (ACA, ACCA), business E leadership/ management (MBA), HR (CIPD) Graduate

E

Evidence of commitment to ongoing learning and professional development e.g. E post graduate qualification in a relevant field Project Management qualification e.g. Prince or equivalent experience

D

Experience and Knowledge A strong track record of leading a team of financial and/ or business professionals and colleagues

E

Highly experienced in influencing and negotiating contractual agreements

E

Demonstrable experience of successfully leading and managing large E programmes and projects, with a combination of direct delivery responsibility and delivering through a range of partners and budgets Experience of developing and delivering business models, business continuity E and recovery plans in a complex environment An innovative leader, with a clear understanding of how Finance and Operations E can support the desired outcomes of the organisation Knowledge and experience of the charity sector

D

Abilities and Skills Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

E

Exceptional Programme and Project Management skills

E

A strong understanding of IT and its potential for the organisation

E

A proven ability to successfully manage all resources effectively

E

Personal Attributes Commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, insightful and an E influential leader with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels A team player with excellent communication skills and a robust and focussed

E

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approach to the delivery of key strategic imperatives Energetic, highly motivated, with an inquiring mind and passion for excellence and innovation in pursuit of success for the team

E

High integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance

E

A mature and balanced approach to the assessment and management of risk

E

An ability to use the full range of leadership skills and qualities including E emotional intelligence as appropriate to the situation The ability to drive forward change often in very challenging circumstances

E

Resilient and determined but can also provide support, demonstrate empathy E and deal with staff and situations in a sensitive and considerate manner A strong commitment to personal development for all staff including oneself

E

Special requirements Supportive of the principles of the academies programme and the Diocese’s E involvement in that Sympathetic to the aims, values, ethos and distinctiveness of Church of England E schools and academies Full driving licence and use of car

E

Able to travel across the Diocese and beyond to carry out duties

E

Leadership experience in the education sector

D

Right to Work Existing British and European Law states that a person cannot be employed to this post if they do not have permission to live and work in the UK. Please advise if you require any guidance or further information on this.

Disclosure Service Certification from the Disclosure and Barring Service New members of staff will be required to apply for Disclosure Service certification as part of the School’s staff recruitment process. Further information about the Disclosure and Barring Service is available from the DBS website at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1075, applicants for this post are among those who are not entitled to withhold information about any previous criminal conviction.

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Application Procedure Candidates should complete the application form and return it electronically to [email protected] so that it is received no later than 5pm on Tuesday 20 September 2016 Application Form Completion Please focus the reasons for your application on the essential criteria within the Person Specification. Indicate, providing evidence, how your knowledge, skills, experience and personal attributes either at work, or elsewhere, qualify you to undertake the duties and responsibilities set out in the Main and Specific Duties. All gaps in employment must be accounted for. Selection Procedure The Shortlist will be drawn up soon after the closing date and the selection process will take place on Friday 30 September 2016 Equality Monitoring All applications will be required to complete an Equality Monitoring form. Receipt of Application Applications are acknowledged (by email) within three working days of receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within this time, please contact Elizabeth Gibbons on 0117 906 0100

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Advertisement Applications: Please apply by visiting our website www.dbat.org.uk to download the application pack and application form. Salary: To be negotiated, in the region of £55,000 - £60,000 Pension: The Local Government Pension Scheme is available. Location: The office is in Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8YU. Contract type: Full Time Contract term: Permanent

Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust: Chief Operating Officer Appointment for 1 January 2017 or earlier if possible The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) seeks to appoint a Chief Operating Officer to join the senior leadership team. We seek a dynamic leader who is passionate about ensuring that the business operation is excellent and enables each academy to focus on the educational element of their remit, enabling each student to fulfil their unique potential. We are seeking to appoint a highly professional, energetic and enthusiastic leader who has a clear vision for an outstanding business operation, and will help to ensure DBAT remains a leading Multi-Academy Trust in the South-West by:       

Leading all the business operations of the Trust, meeting all statutory requirements Line managing the business team, and/or develop a line management structure Working with the regional hubs of academies to refine the business operation and seek economies of scale Setting high expectations and clear objectives for all business partners Providing a culture where staff are valued and encouraged to achieve their potential Demonstrating exceptional inter-personal skills Sharing in the leadership of the central team and the DBAT Principals to shape the future development of the Trust

We can offer you:    

A dedicated and hardworking staff team in the Trust A supportive and challenging Board of Trustees A strong Christian ethos with happy, confident and articulate staff A career opportunity to grow and thrive within the Trust

Closing date: Interviews:

5pm on Tuesday 20 September 2016 Friday 30 September

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Appendix A The DBAT strapline and its vision and values can be modelled out in the following way where each additional level adds support and context, providing a strong direction and moral purpose from which the Trust can develop: i.

Christian tradition and heritage, rooted in the Bible Our understanding is of a God who desires that all human beings flourish, as shown, for example, in the words of Jesus in John 10:10, ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’. A further illustration is the example of Saint Irenaeus who described, ‘The glory of God is a human person fully alive’. We seek to provide an environment where all children can thrive; where intellectual and academic rigour is indivisible from their flourishing in, for example, their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, creative, physical and character development.

ii.

The Department for Education The recent White Paper ‘Educational Excellence Everywhere’ summarised the current aspiration of our government: ‘Education is at the heart of this government’s agenda. An excellent education unlocks opportunity, helping children from all backgrounds to shape their own destiny. Wherever they live and whatever their background, ability or needs, every child and young person in this country deserves a world class education that allows them to reach their full potential and prepares them to succeed in adult life in modern Britain. (1.1, 1.2) The White Paper sets out the approach to achieving educational excellence everywhere: putting the best leaders at the heart of the school system, with the support to thrive; recruiting and developing great teachers wherever they are needed; setting high expectations for all – supported by fair, stretching accountability measures; and enabling pupils, parents, and communities to demand more from their schools.’ (1.13)’

iii.

Church of England Vision for Education There are fundamental reasons, from biblical principles, which have motivated centuries of Christian involvement in schooling in this country. There is now a fresh articulation of the Church of England’s vision, titled ‘Deeply Christian; Serving the Common Good’, published July 2016. This sets out an ‘ecology’ of human flourishing for the common good of the whole community and its environment. It is based on four key elements: Educating for Wisdom, Knowledge and Skills; Educating for Hope and Aspiration; Educating for Community and Living well Together; and, Educating for Dignity and Respect.

iv.

The Diocese of Bristol The vision for the diocese, ‘Creating connections’, stresses the importance of Connecting with God, Connecting with each other and Connecting with our communities. One of the key priorities is ‘Engaging younger generations’ and highlights the intention that church schools in this diocese provide an education for young people that is both excellent and authentically Christian.

v.

The Diocese of Bristol’s Board of Education (DBE) The Board of Education develops this vision across the diocese ensuring the profile of education work remains high, the strategic direction is clear and schools and educational initiatives are well led through appropriate challenge and support. It plans for the future growth of diocese schools including the development of DBAT.

vi.

The Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust (DBAT) Page 11 of 12

The DBAT vision is: ‘We aspire to transform the educational landscape of the Diocese, working with all church academies (including under-performing academies) to accelerate student attainment and contribute to community cohesion, transforming academy performance and students’ life chances through excellent leadership’. Furthermore the strapline ‘Authentically Christian; Nurturing Excellence and Serving Communities’ attempts to explain the desire for a distinctively Christian vision of education; a ‘life in all its fullness’ that cherishes the notion of family, is deeply committed to living out its values, nurtures excellence in academic standards as well as other qualities, and seeks to serve effectively the community within each school and beyond. vii.

Individual school vision and values Each DBE school - LA maintained schools, academies in DBAT or single academies - design their own vision and/ or mission statement to further embed their values, character and aspiration in collaboration with their school community. At all levels, it is the flourishing of the children and young people who are central to the development of all work.

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