Chief Operating Officer

Location: Bournemouth

Salary: to £60k DOE

Hours: 37.5 hours pw Monday-Friday office based or 30 hours over 4 days

Benefits: 33 days holidays inc Bank Hols, pension, free parking, complimentary lunch served daily in the staff dining room with a freshly cooked daily hot meal and salad bar, discounted membership to a nearby gym, providing access to superb facilities, complimentary use of on-site swimming pool (limited times available) complimentary use of the on-site gym facilities, Super camps Holiday clubs offer 50% discount, Occupational sick pay scheme

Aspire Jobs are working in partnership with our client who are well established and have a great heritage. Due to retirement, they are seeking an experienced Chief Operating Officer/Bursar to join their support staff team. The role will be starting in September.

With a new leader in place, the business is going through some positive changes and the incoming COO needs to be of a change mindset with good commercial/business sense who can maximise the revenue from the site.

As the Chief Operating Officer/Bursar, you will play a pivotal role in the strategic and operational management of the business. Reporting directly to the business leader you will be responsible for overseeing the financial, administrative, and operational functions, ensuring the smooth running of the business and the effective delivery of services.

This is not a role for someone who is looking to take a step back. This needs a dynamic, forward-thinking individual.

Key Responsibilities:

Oversee the financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting

Facilities Management: Ensure the effective management of the facilities, including maintenance, health and safety compliance, and security

Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development and implementation of the strategic plan, ensuring alignment with educational objectives

Provide support to the governing body, attending meetings, preparing reports, and advising on relevant policies and procedures

Compliance: Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, government guidelines, and internal policies

• Strong financial acumen and budget management skills • Adept at strategic planning and problem-solving • Relevant qualifications in business management, finance, or a related field

The successful person will:

• Demonstrate sound commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• Be AAT qualified or part qualified or able to demonstrate a similar level of competence achieved through significant experience
• Ideally have worked within a similar role
• Have strong financial and budgeting experience
• Have a strong operational mindset and make sure that the business is operating efficiently
• Be a real team player with great interpersonal skills and staff management experience
• Have outstanding organisational skills and strong attention to detail
• Demonstrate sound IT experience including strong Excel skills, ideally with Sage Line 50 experience
• Be able to self-manage and prioritise
• Be a caring, friendly, open-minded and flexible personality

The role offers you the chance to offer strategic direction and leadership across various administrative areas within the business. This includes financial management, ICT management, human resources, marketing, compliance and administration.

The position involves a wide range of responsibilities in operations, requiring strong organisational skills, exceptional interpersonal skills to motivate and inspire others, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. The ideal candidate should be forward-thinking, supporting the SLT in improving the system. A solid background in financial management, budgeting, and strategic planning is essential.

As the Bursar (COO), you will play a crucial role in contributing to the success and expansion of the business within a supportive and dynamic setting.

You will be a strong people manager, managing a team of around 10 direct staff and in total around 70 support staff.

INTERVIEWS WILL TAKE PLACE W/C 20TH MAY AND WILL TAKE AROUND 1/2 A DAY INCLUDING A TOUR. PLEASE NOTE ALL DIRECT APPLICATIONS WILL BE SENT TO ASPIRE JOBS.