Chief Executive Officer
The Chief Executive Officer will promote the vision, values and ethos of the Constellation Trust and will inspire and empower employees to share in achieving this. They will work with trustees, local advisory bodies and staff in member schools to define and deliver the trust’s vision, aims and objectives through inspirational and motivational leadership, clear strategic direction, high standards and measurable targets.
Principal Accountabilities
Strategic Direction and Development
Give strategic leadership to the entire organisation by working in partnership with the Trust Board to set strategic direction and working in partnership with Trust schools and external partners to get the very best outcomes for Trust pupils.
Formulate, and keep under review, the strategic vision for the Trust, and inform and advise the Board of strategies necessary to maintain further development.
Act as an ambassador of the Trust, inspiring and empowering others, whilst maintaining a high standard of personal integrity and professional conduct.
Create a management structure across the Trust, which enables high performance leadership, the effective sharing of good practice and co-operative working.
Establish a culture of inclusion so that all constituents of the Trust (pupils, parents, staff) have a voice and a sense of agency, regardless of race, religion or belief, sex or ability.
Promote the Trust vision, values and ethos to employees in schools, the wider community and the families that schools serve.
Engage with the wider education ecosystem in Hull and beyond by actively seeking out collaboration partners so that mutual learning takes place to the benefit of pupils and staff.
Be the active point of contact with the DfE via the Regional Director’s office.
Work with stakeholders and marketing consultants to establish a positive profile for the Trust and the schools within it.
Develop a culture of co‑operation and mutual support by overseeing school‑to‑school support that includes effective collaborative convergence.
Leadership & Management
Uphold the vision and values of the Trust, and drive the ethos, development and success of the Trust in collaboration with the trustees, with a focus on delivering the agreed strategy and overseeing all operations of the Trust.
Establish a centrally based support team to deliver high quality services to the Trusts’ schools including financial services, HR services, ICT services, catering services, site services, that are cost effective and aligned with improvement priorities.
Maintain an accurate overview of the management of all issues within each of the Trust’s schools, providing assistance to the Trustees, Headteachers and Local Advisory Boards of each school.
Challenge underperformance so that continual individual and school improvement takes place.
Ensure the strategic plan is implemented to the greatest possible extent, and that this ensures the best possible performance of the Trust, with emphasis on informing and supporting the Trust Board’s setting of the Trust’s vision and strategy.
Help create workable structures and systems for the Trust and evaluate their effectiveness in delivering pupil progress in relation to teacher views, assessments and national data.
Line manage senior members of the central trust team and the headteachers of the secondary schools.
Review the progress of the Trust’s schools, acting as necessary to ensure that progress and improvement is delivered and maintained.
Set targets for school improvement, based on high expectations and the closing of the disadvantage gap.
Ensure that School Development plans are in place in September of each year.
Have oversight of key performance metrics and ensure that schools receive the support they need at the level they need it and in a timely fashion.
Promote excellence in teaching and learning and ensure a continuous and consistent Trust wide focus on all pupils’ achievement, ensuring quality curriculum, teaching, and assessment.
Ensure, in collaboration with the Chief Finance Officer, that the Trust’s resources are managed efficiently, ethically and professionally, and collaborate effectively with the DfE.
Help formulate and adapt a demanding yet appropriate curriculum and assessment systems that suit the needs and nature of the Trust’s schools and pupils.
Use national data and benchmarks to monitor progress across the Trust.
Ensure that special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision is of a high‑quality and that every pupil’s needs are met, with the appropriate allocation of staff and resources, to allow them to achieve their potential.
Ensure that the Trust and its schools follow all relevant safeguarding regulation and advice, that each school has a designated safeguarding lead, and that safeguarding policy and practice enables the highest possible care towards all pupils, including the most vulnerable.
Accountabilities
Ensure compliance with all legislative and statutory requirements for academies.
Ensure all statutory policies are in place, fully implemented, up to date and reviewed as necessary across the Trust.
Cooperate fully and transparently with external agencies and bodies, including Ofsted, to ensure the structure, management and performance of the Trust and each school is reflected accurately.
Be accountable and take responsibility for the performance of all schools within the Trust.
Be responsible for assessing the development, progress and attainment of all pupils across the Trust and for reporting to all stakeholders upon the development, progress and attainment of all pupils.
Provide informative and good‑quality reports of activities and performance to the Trust Board, and to stakeholders in accordance with requirements, ensuring the Trust’s leadership team are up to date on latest developments and areas of strength/weakness.
Fulfil effective governance and compliance responsibilities so that schools and the Trust meet all operational and legal requirements.
As the senior executive leader in the trust, be the Accounting Officer for the Trust.
Work alongside the CFO and Senior Leadership team in developing and maintaining a strategic financial plan.
Ensure that all schools work with the CFO to ensure financial probity and effective financial management within each school and across the Trust.
Ensure that the global budget is delivering value for money and does not go into deficit.
If a school is incorporated into the Trust, direct and manage the due‑diligence process, ensuring that appropriate and timely project management is in place to achieve a smooth transition.
Specific Responsibilities and Duties
Be accountable to the Board of Trustees for ensuring that all legal responsibilities are met within the requirement of the ESFA Academy Trust Handbook, Health and Safety legislation and guidance, the Trust’s Articles of Association and the law.
Advise the Board of Trustees and the Local Advisory Boards on the staffing structures and working relationships within the Trust.
Advise the Board of Trustees and Local Advisory Boards on the Scheme of Delegation, so that all are clear of their responsibilities, and refining the Scheme of Delegation when needed and in the light of experience.
Develop Trust‑wide policies, including those that set out the expected conduct and performance of all staff employed in schools.
Foster a constructive relationship with the Chair of Trustees, with regular meetings and prompt communication of anything untoward that may impact on the reputation of the Trust.
Manage change and risk across the Trust, mitigating risk where necessary.
Review the performance of each school, identifying common themes and, where necessary, using expertise and resources from each school to strengthen one another.
Continuing Professional Development
Support the professional development of colleagues in devising and preparing innovative teaching and learning strategies.
Reflect on and address own professional development needs.
Help to identify the professional development needs of colleagues.
Facilitate the professional development of colleagues and contribute to the Trust’s bespoke CPD programme.
Safeguarding Children
All schools/academies within The Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
General
The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and are intended to describe the general nature of the role. Subsequently, the responsibilities may change or vary over time depending on the needs of the Trust; however, this will not change the character of the job or level of responsibility.
The above responsibilities may involve having access to information of a confidential nature which may be covered by the Data Protection Policy (GDPR 2016). Consequently, confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
The post holder must promote the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Employment Policy.
The post holder must be aware of, and comply with, policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and child protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
The Health and Safety Work Act (1974) and other associated legislation places responsibilities for Health and Safety on all employees. Therefore, it is the post holder’s responsibility to take reasonable care for the Health, Safety and Welfare of him or herself. Specific details are outlined in the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy.
Where the post holder is disabled, every effort will be made to supply all the necessary employment aids, equipment or adaptations to enable them to perform the full duties of the jobs. If, however, a certain task proves to be unachievable, re‑evaluation of the task will be given full consideration.
Person Specification
Qualifications – Essential
Degree level (or equivalent) qualification
Recent & relevant CPD completed in the last 3 years
Proven track record of developing teaching and learning/ outcomes of pupils
Desirable
Qualified Teacher Status
Further professional qualification linked to education and/or leadership
NPQH
Skills, Knowledge & Aptitude – Essential
Significant senior leadership experience in education, including accountability to a Board or equivalent governing body.
A proven track record of delivering strategic vision and achieving impactful outcomes.
Experience leading significant improvement, ideally across more than one school or phase.
Evidence of values‑driven leadership in communities facing disadvantage.
A strong understanding of high‑quality, inclusive education.
Experience of Trust governance and DfE/Ofsted accountability frameworks, including the roles of Members, Trustees, the Accounting Officer, executive leaders and local governance.
A deep understanding of safeguarding and the statutory responsibilities of schools.
Know what outstanding looks like and the proven ability to develop outstanding practice
Analysis and interpretation of data and target setting
Well‑developed interpersonal and communication skills
Knowledge of the requirements needed to achieve outstanding student progress and personal development
Thorough understanding of leadership skills and practical examples of their application
Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality issues and legislation
Ability to analyse and interpret pupil performance data and set challenging yet realistic targets
Proven leadership on action planning, monitoring and evaluation
Desirable
Evidence of the impact of school improvement strategies implemented.
Confidence in commissioning, procurement and value‑for‑money decision‑making.
Thorough understanding of current education legislation, priorities and trends, specifically to the curriculum and qualification’s structure
Ability to work effectively with the local community in developing the Trust as a community resource
Experience – Essential
Experience teaching or leading across multiple phases, from Early Years to Sixth Form.
Evidence of the impact of school improvement strategies implemented.
Previous experience as an Accounting Officer or equivalent statutory role.
Experience of establishing oneself in a senior role and managing organisational change.
Experience of strategic planning for sustainable growth in a multi‑school context.
Confidence in commissioning, procurement and value‑for‑money decision‑making.
Experience influencing beyond one’s own organisation for wider public benefit
Significant impact on teaching and learning performance of others
Successful partnership working with other schools and outside agencies
Proven track record of leading improvement and raising student achievement
Robust self‑evaluation and quality assurance procedures
The ability to inspire, develop, empower and sustain individuals and teams
Evidence of supporting and challenging colleagues through performance management
Experience of leading on strategic data analysis
Desirable
Teaching experience in more than one school
Effective line management of support staff
Effective collaboration with external agencies
Experience of working in an urban school environment
Personal qualities – Essential
Build and maintain effective relationships through effective interpersonal skills
Excellent communication skills both oral and written
Think creatively to anticipate and solve problems
Build on current good practice whilst moving the Trust forward with vision and vigour
Develop effective teamwork and be able to contribute effectively to a range of teams
Think strategically and contribute to creating a coherent Trust vision
Inclusive approach to education
High expectations of self and others
Manage and resolve conflict
Work under pressure, maintaining a sense of perspective and humour
Commitment, honesty and dedication
Ability to manage own time effectively
Reliability and integrity
Resilience and tenacity
Have a growth mind‑set
Be able to understand complex data and prioritise needs for improvement
Self‑awareness
Desirable
Experience of leading and delivering CPD
Experience of leadership in more than one school/academy
Experience of working with the wider community
Evidence of ‘wider’ school effectiveness
Leadership of assessment without levels
Interpersonal and communication skills
Be a team player
Ability to motivate and inspire staff and pupils
Ability to use tact, diplomacy, sensitivity and good humour
The ability to understand others and create trust
Ability to coach colleagues to improve their performance
Effective written and spoken communication
Awareness of the need for attention to detail
Ability to demonstrate personal and emotional resilience when working in a range challenging situations
Good health and an excellent attendance & punctuality record
Have a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours of the Trust
Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Willingness to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks.
Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours and attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline.
Personal Attributes
A deep commitment to ensuring every pupil has the very best opportunities to achieve or exceed their potential.
A relentless drive for improvement and a collaborative, team‑centred approach.
High levels of organisation, precision and attention to detail.
Resilience and the ability to navigate complexity, challenge and uncertainty with clarity and purpose.
Composure, professionalism and sound judgement in all situations.
Personal integrity and the highest ethical standards.
A strong sense of public service, with unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice.
The ability to build and sustain trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
Proactive leader
Demonstrable ability to plan strategically and to lead, motivate, develop and inspire staff and to manage change effectively
Commitment to their own personal and professional development
Ability to model mutual respect for and trust of pupils and adults
Ability to provide inspirational leadership to pupils, staff and community
Ability to delegate responsibility effectively
Ability to deal sensitively with people, negotiate effectively, influence and resolve conflicts
Track record of being a team player
High degree of resilience
Ability to prioritise and take responsibility for problems that may arise
Creativity and Innovation
The post holder will be required to re‑schedule work where/when necessary in order to fit in with the working day of the Trust and ensure that tasks are completed.
Contacts and Relationships
Trustees/Governors
Trust Central Team
Heads of School
Staff
Community
Parents/Carers
Managers on all levels and locations
DfE Representatives
LA Representatives
Trade unions
Other government departments
Work Environment
a, Work Demands
High quality curriculum provision and effective teaching and learning within the Trust. This may involve evening work (parent’s evenings, meetings etc.).
b, Physical Demands
Endurance within a classroom setting, teaching pupils while standing, sitting, or walking throughout the classroom, use of educational aids (electronic whiteboards etc.), and retrieval and use of materials.
c, Working Conditions
Working in a classroom educational setting.
d, Emotional Demands
The post holder will be at some risk working in an educational environment above. May be at risk of abuse and aggression from pupils, parents and carers.
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