Chief Operating Officer – Campbell College

St Paul's Girls' School; Belfast; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent school in Belfast is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join its Senior Leadership Team. This role involves leading the College’s business and support functions, ensuring financial oversight, and engaging with the community. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a track record of commercial success, and a commitment to the school’s values. Experience in education is not essential. Applications are open until 9th February 2026, with preliminary interviews via Microsoft Teams.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior leadership roles.
• Ability to inspire and develop high-functioning teams.
• Empathy with single-sex boys’ independent education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the College's business and support functions.
• Drive initiatives to optimise revenue and deliver capital projects.
• Engage effectively with all members of the community.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Commercial success

Strategic planning skills

Team leadership

Job description

The Headmaster and Governors are seeking to appoint an inspiring, collegiate and ambitious Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join Campbell’s Senior Leadership Team.

Campbell College is a leading HMC day and boarding school for boys aged 3–18, located on a stunning 100-acre wooded estate in Belfast. Founded in 1894, Campbell is a school with a proud heritage and a clear sense of purpose, offering an outstanding all‑round education within a values‑rich and caring community. Home to over 1,200 pupils, including nearly 150 boarders from across the world, Campbell achieves strong academic outcomes, provides exceptional sporting and creative opportunities, and has a vibrant Sixth Form.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially astute, strategic and engaging professional who will lead the College’s business and support functions, while playing a central part in shaping and delivering the next stage of its strategic development. Reporting to the new Headmaster and working closely with the Board of Governors, the COO will have overall responsibility for key operational areas including finance, estates and facilities, HR, compliance, catering, IT, and commercial activities. The COO will also act as the College’s commercial adviser, driving initiatives to optimise revenue and deliver ambitious capital projects.

Candidates will have a proven track record of senior leadership, commercial success and financial control, coupled with strong business and strategic planning skills, and the ability to inspire, lead and develop high‑functioning teams. Experience in an education setting is not essential, but candidates must demonstrate empathy with and commitment to single‑sex boys’ independent education and the values and ethos of the College. A collaborative style and the ability to engage effectively with all members of the Campbell community is essential.

Applications

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

The closing date for applications is 10.00am UK time on Monday 9th February 2026

Applications should be made to RSAcademics. Please click on “Apply Now ” to complete your application form electronically.

The online application form will prompt you to upload a covering letter in PDF format – this should be addressed to the Headmaster, Mr Jonathan Anderson. Your 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 completing your application, please contact Jonathan Barnes, Head of Operations (Leadership Appointments) at: [e-mail] / [phone].

• Campbell College is 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.

Preliminary interviews with RSAcademics will take place via Microsoft Teams from Thursday 12th to Monday 16th February 2026.

Long list interviews will take place at the College or with the option of Microsoft Teams during the week commencing Monday 23rd February 2026.

Short list interviews will take place at the College during the week commencing Monday 9th March 2026.