Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Role Overview

The Chief Operating Officer carries executive responsibility for the business side of Rosslyn Academy, directing the people, money, systems, and campus infrastructure that make the school's educational mission possible. Reporting to the Superintendent and sitting on the Executive Leadership Team, this leader turns board policy and institutional strategy into annual operating plans, budgets, and capital projects across five departments. The role matters because the school's long-term viability — its finances, its staff, its facilities, and its legal standing in Kenya — depends on a single senior leader who keeps those functions aligned and accountable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operations portfolio: Provide direct executive oversight to the directors of Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Facilities/Operations, and Health Services (Wellness Center), setting agendas and chairing regular departmental and direct-report meetings, and completing annual performance reviews for each direct report.
• Own the budget cycle: Build, execute, and monitor annual operating and capital budgets alongside the Finance Director, ensuring spending follows board policy, institutional assets are protected, and cash flow forecasts stay accurate throughout the year.
• Govern financial health: Oversee monthly account management, external audits, tuition pricing and benchmarking analysis, and donor revenue opportunities, and join the Superintendent and Finance Director in presenting quarterly financial reports to the Board of Governors.
• Direct HR and staffing functions: Working with the Superintendent, supervise recruitment, contract preparation, onboarding, performance appraisal cycles, payroll linkages, and compliance with Kenyan labour requirements.
• Drive campus development: Update and execute the campus Master Facilities Plan within board mandates, and lead capital projects in partnership with architects, contractors, and external project managers to deliver on time and on budget.
• Uphold operational standards: Ensure property maintenance, campus security, transportation, and food services meet rigorous quality expectations, and integrate sustainable solutions that lower energy consumption.
• Manage risk, compliance, and continuity: Enforce compliance with Kenyan labour law, business regulations, and local operating requirements; maintain the school's Risk Register and insurance coverage; refresh the Emergency Operations Plan each year; and steward business continuity planning.
• Report and communicate: Prepare formal monitoring and operational reports for the Superintendent and Board of Governors, and communicate the school's philosophy, mission, needs, and operational results clearly and sensitively to staff and constituents. Serve actively on both the Executive Team and the broader Leadership Team.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A personal commitment to Jesus Christ and a clear sense of calling to serve at Rosslyn Academy, with a willingness to model that commitment before staff and constituents.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated senior-level business and operational leadership in a complex, multi-functional organisation, including direct responsibility for substantial and multi-layered budgets.
• Proven ability to work cross-culturally and to honour diversity within the body of Christ.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with proficiency in English and comfort with standard business technology.
• High emotional intelligence, sound collegial leadership, and practical project management expertise; ability to lead, inspire, and evaluate support staff, including through biblical conflict resolution.
• Agreement with Rosslyn Academy's Christian beliefs (Core Tenants) and its Statements on Diversity and Human Sexuality.
• A master's degree such as an MBA or a related qualification is preferred.
• Experience in an international school, educational institution, nonprofit, or other mission-driven organisation is highly preferred.
• Familiarity with financial processes that follow IFRS and ECFA nonprofit accounting guidelines is preferred.
• Full-time position of at least 40 hours per week, with flexibility for evening and weekend events.

What We Offer / Why Join

• A seat on the Executive Leadership Team, with genuine influence over how the school's strategy becomes operational reality.
• The chance to lead mission-driven work in a cross-cultural, faith-centred community where operations directly serve students and staff.
• A structured professional development culture: annual written goals submitted to the Superintendent, participation in staff, faculty, and administrative in-service activities, and annual feedback gathered from staff, parents, and, where applicable, students as part of the evaluation process.
• Close collaboration with fellow executive and administrative leaders on institutional direction and decision-making.