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An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a strategic, visionary, and compassionate leader to join the College of Policing as our Chief Operating Officer (COO). This is a pivotal national role at the heart of policing transformation, offering the chance to shape the future of professional standards, leadership, and innovation. The College is the professional body for policing in England and Wales and is a mission-driven organisation, with a bold ambition: to ensure everyone working in policing has the skills, knowledge, and support to protect the public and keep communities safe.
Job description
As COO, you will be a key member of the Executive Team, deputising for the CEO as necessary, and working closely with the Board to translate strategic vision into operational excellence. You will lead the delivery of the College’s priorities, drive change, and ensure high performance across all functions. You will:
- Lead the operationalisation of the College’s strategy, ensuring delivery of high-impact programmes and services.
- Provide inspirational leadership across the organisation, fostering a culture of ambition, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
- Build and influence relationships across the policing system, government, and wider public sector.
- Champion innovation, using data and emerging technologies to enhance performance and decision-making.
- Develop and empower a high-performing senior leadership team.
Person specification
In order to succeed, you will be a dynamic and experienced leader with:
- Proven success operating at Board level in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
- Exceptional strategic thinking, relationship-building, and change leadership skills.
- A deep understanding of public service values and the ability to lead with integrity and compassion.
- A Level 7 Management qualification or equivalent experience.
Benefits
This is more than a leadership role – it’s a chance to make a national impact across policing. In return, we offer:
- Defined benefit pension scheme (avg. employer contribution: 28.97%)
- Up to 31.5 days annual leave + public holidays
- Enhanced parental leave
- Discounts, healthcare, and wellbeing support
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- Tailored learning and development
- A culture of inclusion, flexibility, and innovation
- Some benefits may not apply to police officers/staff on secondment.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
The College is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal characteristics or background.
To discover more about this opportunity, please visit our recruitment partner’s website at https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe124553.
If, having read the available information, you would like a confidential discussion to explore the role in more detail, prior to submitting your application, please contact Duncan Collins at: duncan.collins@gatenbysanderson.com or by telephone on 07586 705 475. If you have a disability, or need assistance completing the application process, please also contact Duncan for support.
Applications must be received by noon on Monday 15 September 2025
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
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