Chief Operating Officer – The Leys and St Faith’s Schools

The Head and Governors are seeking to appoint an accomplished, strategic and collaborative Chief Operating Officer to join the Executive Team and translate the Foundation’s ambitions into effective operational delivery.

The Leys and St Faith’s Schools are leading co-educational independent schools in the heart of Cambridge owned by the same charitable Foundation. The Leys is a boarding and day school with 570 pupils aged 11 to 18 and St Faith’s is a day school with 530 day pupils aged 3 to 13. Situated less than half a mile apart, the two schools will merge in September 2028 to become a single all-through school, The Leys School, Cambridge, offering a seamless educational journey from Early Years to Sixth Form.  

Reporting to the Head of The Leys, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will lead Estates and Facilities, Site Operations, HR, Marketing, Admissions and Communications, and Administration. They will bring professional services together across both sites, prepare operations for the merger and lead the delivery of capital projects within an ambitious master plan. Working closely with the CFO and CCO, the COO will translate strategic ambition into practical delivery, sustaining excellent services while building the capacity for longer-term growth. For a leader who enjoys bringing people together and turning strategy into lasting change, this role offers the chance to shape how the Foundation operates, develops and grows. 

The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with the energy and discipline to deliver. They will bring a proven track record of senior operational leadership, strategic planning and commercial acumen, alongside the ability to motivate multi-disciplinary teams and build strong partnerships between teaching and professional services. Experience in the education sector is not essential, but candidates must demonstrate understanding of, and commitment to the purpose, aims and vision of a high-performing independent boarding school. 

A generous remuneration package including fee remission and family accommodation is offered, reflecting the seniority and significance of the role.  

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

Nina Lambert, Head of Professional Services Appointments: ninalambert@rsacademics.com

The closing date for applications is 10.00am on Monday 7 December 2026.

Applications should be made electronically to RSAcademics. To submit your application, please click on “Apply Now” and upload your documents according to the instructions provided.

You should submit the following (both in PDF format):

• A completed Application Form.
• A covering letter addressed to the Head, Dr Clare Ives. The letter should be a maximum of two pages and should explain your reasons for applying and outline your suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about uploading your application documents, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments), at applications@rsacademics.com. Jonathan can also be reached by calling our Head Office on +44 (0) 204 6269 7931.

N.B. Safer recruitment checks will be made at all stages in the recruitment process.

• The Leys and St Faith’s Schools are 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 & Barring Service.
• 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 this post are detailed 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.