Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Guildhall School of Music and Drama is a vibrant international community of musicians, actors, and production artists in the heart of the City of London. Ranked in the top four conservatoires for Music and Performing Arts in the QS World Rankings 2025, and first in the UK in the Complete University Guide, the School is globally renowned exemplar of creative and professional practice, delivering world-class professional training in partnership with distinguished artists, companies, and ensembles. Since its founding in 1880, Guildhall School has been an outstanding example of the City of London Corporation’s commitment to education and the arts.

As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team reporting to the Principal, Professor Jonathan Vaughan, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a vital role in delivering our 2030 strategy—sharpening our competitive edge through the strategic deployment of resources, operational efficiency, and high-quality service provision. The COO will support the School’s strategic and financial planning and work collaboratively with colleagues to lead transformational initiatives that optimise infrastructure, enhance services, and improve ways of working. Responsible for business planning and strategic oversight of the organisation’s buildings and assets, this role offers a unique opportunity to drive impactful change by leading the development of the School’s digital, physical, and cultural working environments.

We are seeking an inspiring and energetic individual with a track record in financial planning, strategic leadership, operational management, and service transformation within a complex, multifaceted organisation. The ideal candidate will effectively translate their professional experience into our context, striking a thoughtful balance between commercial, artistic, and educational priorities. Collaborative and forward-thinking, they will contribute to delivering cohesive, agile operations—managing multiple projects, agendas, partnerships, and timelines with clarity and focus. They will bring strong influencing skills, experience leading multidisciplinary teams, and act as a positive catalyst for change. We seek a highly motivated professional who shares a deep commitment to our values—particularly around equality, diversity and inclusion—and is driven to help us achieve and exceed our environmental sustainability goals.

Application is by submission of a full curriculum vitae and a covering letter of application, addressing the job description and person specification and including suitable daytime and evening telephone contact details.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please visit the apply button above quoting reference 7981

Deadline for Applications is on Tuesday, 26th August at 09:00 BST

Guildhall School welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are particularly keen to encourage interest from people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, Black, Asian, and other global majority backgrounds who are currently under-represented at Guildhall School. In recognising the positive value of diversity, we want to better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We are members of the Disability Confident Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who would like to be considered under this scheme and who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. We support and provide adjustments for people with disabilities – if you have a disability, caring responsibilities or other access requirement and need adjustments during the recruitment process please email matthew.meakins@gsmd.ac.uk.

The Guildhall School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all employees, workers, and volunteers to share this commitment

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