Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job at Rosslyn Academy

A senior leadership opportunity is available at Rosslyn Academy for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) who can bring together financial oversight, people management, facilities, technology, risk governance and strategic planning. This is an executive-level position that sits close to the centre of the school's administrative operations, with the successful candidate reporting directly to the Superintendent and serving as part of the Executive Leadership Team.

The position is designed for an experienced operational leader who understands that running a complex institution requires more than managing individual departments. The COO will be expected to connect different administrative functions, make sure resources are being used responsibly and help translate the school's wider direction into practical operational goals.

At the same time, the role has a clear faith-based dimension. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, Bible-based living and the Christian mission of Rosslyn Academy. Operational leadership therefore needs to work alongside the school's philosophy, board policies and expectations for its community.

A Leadership Role Across Several Functions

One of the defining features of this COO position is the breadth of responsibility. Rather than concentrating on one administrative area, the officer will provide direct executive oversight to Finance, Human Resources, IT, Facilities and Operations, as well as Health Services through the Wellness Center.

That means the role involves working across teams with different responsibilities while maintaining a consistent institutional direction. The COO will lead, inspire and evaluate support staff and will be expected to encourage teamwork, collegial leadership and biblical approaches to resolving workplace conflicts.

Strategic plans will also need to become measurable operational objectives. The COO will help establish organization-wide goals, support performance management and contribute to annual operations planning. Regular meetings with direct reports will form part of the role, with departmental and direct-report meetings generally taking place every two weeks. Annual performance reviews for direct reports will also be part of the officer's responsibilities.

The position therefore calls for someone who can move comfortably between strategic discussions and practical operational matters.

Financial Stewardship Is Central to the Position

Although the COO oversees several functions, financial management is an especially important part of the job.

Working alongside the Finance Director, the COO will be involved in developing, implementing and monitoring annual operating and capital budgets. These responsibilities include ensuring that spending follows board policy and that the school's assets are properly protected.

The financial side of the position also extends to cash-flow forecasting, monthly management accounts, external audits, tuition fee benchmarking and pricing strategies. The COO will also oversee work connected with identifying donor revenue opportunities.

Financial information must ultimately support institutional decision-making. Together with the Superintendent and Finance Director, the COO should therefore be prepared to present quarterly finance reports to the Board of Governors.

This makes financial understanding an important part of the leadership profile. The person taking up the position must be able to connect financial resources with organizational priorities while keeping long-term institutional viability in view.

Technology, People and the Campus

The COO's responsibilities continue beyond finance and into the systems and services that allow the school to function effectively.

Within IT, the officer will oversee the IT Systems Director, with responsibility for ensuring that digital infrastructure is secure and cost-effective. Data protection compliance under Kenyan law is also part of this oversight.

Human Resources is another major area. In conjunction with the Superintendent, the COO will oversee functions such as recruitment, preparation of contracts, onboarding, performance appraisals, payroll linkages and labour compliance. This requires an understanding of how people-related processes connect with the wider operation of the institution.

The physical environment is equally important. The COO will update and execute the campus Master Facilities Plan in accordance with board mandates. Capital development projects will require coordination with architects, contractors and external project managers, with attention to delivering projects within schedule and budget.

The position also carries responsibility for property maintenance, campus security, transportation and food services. These areas are expected to operate according to rigorous quality standards. The COO will additionally be responsible for integrating sustainable solutions aimed at reducing energy consumption.

Across these departments, the role involves establishing policies that support the school's culture and vision rather than treating each operational area as a separate function.

Preparing the Institution for Risk

A major part of senior operational leadership is ensuring that the institution is prepared when circumstances change.

The COO will be responsible for maintaining the school's Risk Register and managing insurance coverage. The role also includes annually updating the Emergency Operations Plan and overseeing business continuity planning.

Compliance is another important consideration. The officer must ensure that the school follows Kenyan labour laws, business regulations and applicable local operational requirements.

These responsibilities require someone who can identify potential problems before they become larger operational challenges. They also require the ability to document, monitor and communicate institutional risks clearly. Formal monitoring and operational reports will be prepared for the Superintendent and the Board of Governors.

The position therefore combines day-to-day management with longer-term institutional protection.

Communication Matters at Executive Level

Because the COO works across almost every major administrative area, communication will be a significant part of the position.

The successful candidate will need to communicate the school's philosophy, needs, mission, achievements and operational information to staff and other school constituents using communication methods that are appropriate, effective and sensitive to the situation.

The COO will participate with other executive leaders on the Executive Team and with administrators on the Leadership Team. This means the position requires someone who can contribute to wider institutional discussions while also representing the needs and realities of the departments under their oversight.

Strong organizational ability, emotional intelligence and communication skills are specifically required for the position.

The Professional Background Rosslyn Academy Is Seeking

The role requires a bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Administration or a related field. More importantly, candidates need proven senior-level business and operational leadership experience in a complex, multi-functional organization with complex budgets.

The school is also looking for someone capable of working cross-culturally and respecting diversity within the body of Christ. English proficiency and basic technology skills are required, alongside strong project management expertise.

A master's degree, particularly an MBA or related qualification, is preferred. Experience working in an international school, educational institution, nonprofit organization or another mission-driven environment is also highly preferred.

Financial experience involving IFRS and ECFA non-profit accounting guidelines would be an additional advantage.

Beyond academic qualifications and professional experience, the role places considerable importance on personal qualities. The successful candidate should have the emotional intelligence needed to work with different teams, the organizational discipline to manage several functions and the leadership maturity required to operate at executive level.

A Role Connected to Rosslyn Academy's Christian Mission

The COO position has requirements that go beyond conventional operational leadership.

Applicants are expected to have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a sense of God's calling to serve at Rosslyn Academy. They must agree with the academy's Christian beliefs, including its Core Tenets and Statements on Diversity and Human Sexuality.

The role also calls for someone who can model Christian commitment and Bible-based living while encouraging faith among staff and constituents. This expectation is incorporated into the leadership responsibilities of the position and forms part of how the COO is expected to serve the institution.

Professional development is also built into the role. The COO will annually submit written professional goals to the Superintendent and participate in professional development and in-service activities with staff, faculty and administration.

Performance feedback is another part of the evaluation process. Each year, feedback will be obtained from staff, parents and, where applicable, students.

What the Working Commitment Looks Like

This is a full-time position requiring a minimum of 40 hours each week. The nature of executive leadership at a school also means that flexibility is required for evening or weekend events.

The combination of financial responsibility, operational leadership, facilities planning, people management, technology oversight and risk governance makes this a broad senior management opportunity.

Rosslyn Academy is seeking a leader who can look at the institution as a whole rather than focusing only on one department. The ideal candidate will be able to connect budgets with strategy, people with performance, facilities with long-term planning and operational decisions with the school's wider mission.

For an experienced business or operations leader who meets the professional requirements and is aligned with Rosslyn Academy's Christian beliefs and mission, the Chief Operating Officer position represents an opportunity to contribute at an executive level across the institution.

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