Whitgift is a leading independent day and boarding school, offering world-class education to over 1,500 boys aged 10 to 18. Located within 45 acres of magnificent parkland, in South Croydon, London, it is part of the John Whitgift Foundation. The School provides an excellent all-around education, with a strong focus on academic achievement, personal development and co-curricular involvement within a culturally, economically and ethnically diverse community. With a turnover of £40M, Whitgift is a substantial organisation.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an inspiring, collegiate and ambitious leader to drive the business functions of Whitgift, building upon what is already excellent at a highly successful School within a strong and supportive charitable foundation. Reporting to the new Headmaster, and working with the Governors and the Executive Team, the new COO will act as the School’s commercial adviser, shaping and implementing the next phase of its strategic development including further international expansion, whilst ensuring its continued operational and financial success. The COO will lead a diverse team of support staff and be responsible for the School’s finance, estates, operations, catering, cleaning and commercial activities.

Candidates will have a proven track record of executive leadership, commercial success and financial control, balancing the needs and challenges of large complex organisations, managing resources, delivering results, thinking strategically, and inspiring, motivating and developing high functioning teams. Outstanding communication skills, the ability to navigate complex relationships as well as execute initiatives and deliver projects are essential. The role requires ambition, rigour, energy and resilience complemented by empathetic, inclusive and authentic leadership, and exceptional interpersonal abilities.

Prior experience in the education sector is not a prerequisite, and applications are encouraged from candidates with commercial, charitable, private-sector and public-sector backgrounds. The successful candidate must, however, demonstrate empathy with independent education and a commitment to the School and Foundation’s aims and ethos.

An attractive remuneration package, including fee remission, will be available for the successful candidate.

For more information about the role and details of how to apply, please visit www.rsacademics.com.

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 18th May 2026

Whitgift School (part of the John Whitgift Foundation) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Where applicable, applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service and online media checks. It is an offence to apply for a role at the school if you know that you are barred from regulated activity with children.

All roles within the school involve contact with children and are therefore classed as regulated activity. Child protection and safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone who works or volunteers in our school. All staff must be committed to providing a safe environment for children and supporting the school’s safeguarding ethos.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions, even those that are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules, to assess suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose information relevant to safeguarding prior to interview.