Post Title: Chief Executive, Tees Valley Collaborative Trust (TVCT)
Responsible to: Board of Trustees, TVCT
Line of responsibility: The Chief Executive Officer is directly accountable to the Trust Board for all aspects of the Multi-Academy Trust.
Line management: The Chief Executive Officer shall provide leadership and management to Principals, Head Teachers and Central Functions within the Multi-Academy Trust.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TVCT, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic growth and development of the Trust. Working in collaboration with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership teams, and all stakeholders, you will ensure that our settings not only maintain high standards but also expand and excel in pursuit of our mission to provide inclusive education.

Aims and key accountabilities

• To develop strategic policy proposals for Trust Board discussion, formulation, decision and regular review.
• To provide inspiring and motivational leadership to enable the Trust to lead learning, enabling its entities to be the first choice for learners and communities.
• To be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the Trust’s vision, strategic direction and achievement of its objectives.
• To lead and develop a strategic growth plan.
• To establish, develop and maintain a high profile for the Trust and all its entities and be responsible for devising, undertaking and continuously improving their promotion and representation nationally, regionally and locally.
• To oversee the arrangements for external communications with wider communities, the media and external agencies and promote the work of the multi-academy trust to a range of audiences, raising the profile of the Academies within the Trust.
• To ensure that current partnerships are maintained and enhanced and that new opportunities with key stakeholders are initiated and developed.
• To ensure the continuing engagement and involvement of members of the Trust Board to further the vision and aims of the Trust.
• To ensure that the Trust Board receives appropriate advice and information to enable it to fulfil its governance responsibilities and monitor Trust annual plans and targets.
• To develop and maintain a culture of empowerment, supporting effective leadership, management and operational organisation.
• To anticipate changes in the educational environment to take advantage of opportunities and respond appropriately to challenges.
• To maximise the potential value of efficiencies from multiple sites for improvements to financial, quality and enrichment matters.
• To develop a culture of personal responsibility, recognising excellence and implementing strategies to address under performance, including an effective system of professional development.
• To act as the Trust’s Accounting Officer with overall responsibility for meeting the Trust’s financial responsibilities.
• To line manage and be accountable for the performance of key senior members of the senior management team including Head Teachers/Principals of Academies, the Chief Financial Officer, HR Manager and the Director of Resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Growth

• Lead the ongoing development and execution of a comprehensive growth strategy, including the identification of opportunities for the acquisition of new Academies and Schools, and expanding the Trust’s geographical footprint.
• Lead the strategic planning process in partnership with Trustees, involving staff and stakeholders to develop, agree and implement a plan, which will ensure the Trust’s success.
• Lead, manage, support and develop the leadership teams, ensuring they are aligned with the Trust’s growth objectives.

Leadership

• Lead the Trust to achieve its mission, priorities and aims developing an ambitious vision that inspires learners, staff and other stakeholders.
• The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction for the Multi-Academy Trust and is accountable for its performance. Whilst the day-to-day management of individual academies is delegated to Head Teachers or Principals of the individual Academies, the CEO retains ultimate accountability for the performance of those individual academies within it.
• Make proposals to the Trustees on the educational character, activities and vision of the Trust.
• Lead and promote a culture within the Trust of working together to raise aspirations, realise ambitions and achieve success.
• Lead the Central Team and Executive Leadership. Accountable for managing the Trust effectively and efficiently; monitor and review the performance of key personnel against key targets, taking follow up action as necessary; develop further the leadership skills and capability of the team and ensure there is appropriate succession planning.
• Provide for strong internal and external communications to enable staff, learners and others to be informed of developments and decisions and to contribute fully to the success of the Trust.
• Ensure that appropriate Trust policies and procedures are in place, applied, updated and monitored including those related to health and safety, safeguarding, and equality and diversity.
• Ensure the Trust fulfils its legal, statutory and regulatory requirements from government funding and regulatory bodies.
• Lead the Trust in advancing equality and diversity in all its activities in line with its values, fostering an inclusive environment for working and learning.
• Ensure that child protection and safeguarding of pupils are given high priority at all times.

Teaching and Learning

• Enable and support in Academies the development and delivery of a highly responsive curriculum which anticipate, stimulate and meet changing demand from learners, the wider community, business, government etc.
• Ensure the strategic development plan is underpinned by sound financial advice and planning in accordance with development priorities and targets to deliver well-resourced provision within the Trust and its academies to facilitate constant improvement.
• Support and secure delivery of excellent teaching and learning throughout all academies within the Trust through the promotion of high-level professional standards, and rigorous monitoring and evaluation of teaching quality and pupils’ achievements.
• In consultation with the Trust, ensure that Principals and Head Teachers determine and implement demanding curriculum provision and related assessment which meets the needs of all students within the Multi-Academy Trust.
• Be accountable for the achievement in Academies of outstanding success rates, high grades and value added across all the Trust provision through a focus by Academies on high quality teaching and learning.
• Promote the investment in and development of innovative methods for delivery of the curriculum across the Trust with the objective to ensure high quality teaching and learning and broad curriculum programmes.
• Ensure Head Teachers and Principal of Academies:
  • embed an ethos of learning for success to maximise learner outcomes, fostering high aspiration and ambition and promoting positive progression by learners at all levels whilst maintaining a high standard of student discipline.
  • Develop a strategy of continuous quality improvement ensuring that robust and effective quality assurance systems are in place and standards are maintained and improved, and there is consistent challenge across the full range of learners.
  • Ensure an effective learner voice through the engagement of learners in the development and improvement of settings and in a dialogue on their own learning.

Partnerships and External Relationships

• Be an outstanding ambassador for the Trust at all times and on all occasions.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships, alliances, and collaborations that support the Trust’s expansion and growth objectives.
• Negotiate relationships with others that will benefit the Trust whilst engaging and working with key stakeholders and decision makers at local, regional and national level to promote the Trust. Maintain and build on the Trust’s reputation and ensure that its interests are represented and safeguarded as far as possible.
• Lead and contribute to activities outside the Trust, including representing the Trust on external committees and bodies at local, regional or national level, which will enhance the reach, reputation and influence of the Trust.
• Develop and maintain community relationships within the area establishing the Trust as a community asset providing high quality learning and skills and embedding it within the wider community.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with schools and other colleges to enable a high quality and coherent approach to learning.

Resource Management

• Act as Accounting Officer and ensure the timely and accurate preparation of estimates of income and expenditure and final accounts.
• Ensure that there are effective systems in place for the management and monitoring of the Trust and academies’ budgets and to ensure that financial returns are made in accordance with the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency and Companies House. Maximise financial resources, explore opportunities for increasing levels of external funding, and secure value for money in all operations.
• Be accountable for the proper and effective operation of financial, planning and management controls such that physical and financial resources are efficiently utilised, public funds safeguarded and value for money achieved, focusing especially on student outcomes.
• Ensure that appropriate and effective risk management strategies and processes are in place and implemented.
• Have in place robust and responsive ICT, data, information and management systems to inform and monitor the delivery of strategic, financial and operational plans which comply with statutory reporting requirements as necessary.
• Ensure that operational facilities, including an IT infrastructure are in place to support outstanding teaching and learning.
• Enable the talent, skills and potential of staff in the Trust to be developed through appropriate policies and processes within a culture and environment of challenge, engagement and support.
• Ensure there is an effective and fair framework of staff policies and terms and conditions of employment which support the recruitment and retention of high performing teachers, managers and support staff committed to the success of the Trust.
• Have in place and review as necessary the organisational structures and management accountabilities to deliver the strategic plan and meet the current and future needs of the Trust.
• Have in place and further develop a strategy of investment in the estate and facilities of the Trust to provide a welcoming, safe and high quality learning and working environment.

Innovation and Development

• Anticipate changes and developments within the external environment identifying implications to the Trust and ensuring that appropriate and timely plans are put in place which take advantage of opportunities and safeguard the Trust interests.
• In line with ongoing support of the culture of continuous improvement, continually review income, developing strategies for sustainable growth and diversifying income sources in line with the Trust vision and strategic direction.
• Ensure the development and implementation of a rich and varied extra-curricular programme of activities for pupils and communities within the Multi-Academy Trust to help raise aspirations. Support the busy and varied programme of activities remaining visible and attending events as appropriate.

Governance

• Build an open, transparent and effective relationship with the Board of Trustees and its committees ensuring that Trustees are updated on progress against the achievement of the Trust’s strategic plan and on significant issues and developments which are likely to impact on the Trust’s strategies, policies, performance and reputation.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees, providing regular updates and reports, and collaborating on key decisions and policies related to growth.
• Regular meetings with the Chair and keeping them informed of key developments, successes and risks.
• Ensure clear processes for their own role in formulating strategy and how the Trust Board engages with this process and endorses strategy.
• Ensure they and the executive leadership team have developed clear and appropriate reporting mechanisms that contribute to efficient governance of the Trust.
• Welcome accountability from the Trust Board and robust performance management, while encouraging the Trust Board to discharge this across all aspects of organisational delivery and performance.

Chief Account Officer Responsibilities

The TVCT CEO will act as the Accounting Officer in accordance with the requirements of the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) as follows:

What does the Accounting Officer do?

• The Accounting Officer role includes specific responsibilities for financial matters. It includes a personal responsibility to Parliament and to ESFA’s Accounting Officer for the Trust’s financial resources.
• Accounting Officers must be able to assure Parliament and the public, of high standards of probity in the management of public funds, particularly regularity, propriety, and value for money.
• Accounting Officers must adhere to ‘The 7 principles of public life’.
• The Accounting Officer must have oversight of financial transactions, by:
  • ensuring the Academy Trust’s property and assets are under the Trustees’ control and measures exist to prevent losses or misuse
  • ensuring bank accounts, financial systems and financial records are operated by more than one person
  • keeping full and accurate accounting records to support their annual accounts.

The Accounting Officer’s annual statement:

• The Accounting Officer must complete and sign a statement on regularity, propriety and compliance each year and submit this to ESFA with the audited accounts. The Accounting Officer must also demonstrate how the Trust has secured value for money via the governance statement in the audited accounts.

The Accounting Officer’s duty to raise concerns:

• The Accounting Officer must take personal responsibility (which must not be delegated) for assuring the Trust Board that there is compliance with the funding agreement and handbook.
• The Accounting Officer must advise the Trust Board in writing, if action it is considering is incompatible with the articles, funding agreement or handbook.
• Similarly, the Accounting Officer must advise the Trust Board in writing, if the Trust Board fails to act where required by the funding agreement or handbook. Where the Trust Board is minded to proceed, despite the Accounting Officer’s advice, the Accounting Officer must consider the Trust Board’s reasons, and if the Accounting Officer still considers the action proposed by the Trust Board is in breach of the articles, the funding agreement or handbook, the Accounting Officer must notify ESFA’s Accounting Officer immediately in writing.

For further information on the role of the Chief Accounting Officer please view here.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities; it identifies the key tasks and duties of the Chief Executive Officer.  Specific targets and objectives will be agreed with the Chief Executive Officer and will be regularly reviewed as part of a performance appraisal framework.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its learners and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

All of the following criteria are essential unless otherwise noted.

Education and Training (to be assessed from the initial application):

• Educated to Master’s degree or equivalent (desirable).
• PGCE/QTS qualified (desirable).
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to the post.
• A knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and health and safety issues.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (including management training).

Leadership & Management (to be assessed from the initial application and/or pre-interview assessment and interview):

• Clear strategic thinking with the ability to lead the development and implementation of strategic plans.
• The ability to provide vision for the Trust, with strong and inspirational positive leadership to enable the Trust to achieve and maintain outstanding provision for learners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate in a variety of situations.
• The ability to inspire and motivate colleagues in order that they can achieve their highest potential.
• The judgement and ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities to the maximum benefit of the Trust, its learners and stakeholders.
• Resilience, with the ability to respond appropriately to conflicting demands and time pressures.

Experience (to be assessed from the initial application and/or pre-interview assessment and interview):

• Significant strategic leadership experience with a track record of effective operational delivery in a complex environment.
• Experience of operating a multi-site school or college (desirable).
• A successful track record gained within education (desirable).
• A successful track record in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with staff, boards and external organisations.
• A track record of working successfully with local stakeholders, employers and the wider community.
• Proven success in achieving targets within time and resource constraints.
• Successful direct experience of delivering quality improvement strategies, including raising the levels of student achievement, retention and improving grades (desirable).

Knowledge (to be assessed from the initial application and/or pre-interview assessment and interview):

• Knowledge and understanding of Government legislation and requirements in respect of the implications for and the challenges facing Trusts.
• An understanding and commitment to outstanding pedagogy, curriculum planning and delivery of learning and progression.
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory and inspection frameworks, accreditation and validation processes and successful achievement of quality improvement.
• A comprehensive understanding of the statutory and compliance framework, including safeguarding and its importance within the school and college environment (desirable).
• Good knowledge and understanding of post 16 funding mechanisms (desirable).
• Good knowledge of strategies for diversification of income.
• Depth of understanding of how people perform to the best of their ability and the knowledge and drive to help them achieve this.
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Attitudes and Beliefs (to be assessed from the initial application and/or pre-interview assessment and interview):

• Passion for teaching and learning with a commitment to excellence for learners at all levels and to enabling them to achieve their full potential.
• A strong vision for the future success of the Trust.
• Commitment to the personal and professional development of colleagues.
• Integrity and openness in communications and actions.