A global hunt is under way for the right person to head the organisation charged with running Bradford's schools.

Bosses at Serco-QAA, which has signed the £360 million contract to turn around the failing education authority, has brought in international head hunters.

They want to recruit a Managing Director of the newly-titled Education Bradford who could be on a salary of at least £130,000 - more than £20,000 higher than the chief executive of Bradford Council.

The advert promises a "generous three figure salary" as well as company car and share options.

They are also looking to bring in two more executives from outside the LEA on salaries of £90,000 and £80,000 as Director of Achievement and Director of Strategy.

Unions have already voiced concern over the future of the 1,000 staff who will transfer from the council to Serco's payroll on July 30.

Paul Brett, director of operations at Serco Education, admitted there would be a period of uncertainty between now and Christmas for people employed at Flockton House, the education offices in West Bowling.

"I can't say what the structure will be, or who will be doing what jobs in January," he said. "Between July 30 and Christmas, it's about making sure we develop the best solution for Bradford."

Mr Brett, pictured with Bradford Council chief executive Ian Stewart (seated) at the signing of the contract, added that the firm had received a good reception from Bradford schools.

"The pace is going to have to pick up, but schools are ready for it," he said. "They want to get motoring."

He insists the stiff targets set for raising children's attainment are achievable - something doubted by teaching unions.

"You have to care about a place to do a good job, and I do care about Bradford. It's like an enormous sleeping giant, it needs nurturing but it will rise up - there's enormous potential here."

To trigger incentive payments of between £1 million and £2 million a year, Serco QAA will have to achieve a range of stringent targets covering children's exam results, truancy, exclusions and the performance of under-achieving groups like boys, African-Caribbean, Bangladeshi and Pakistani youngsters.

The contract is an 'incentivised' contract, not a penalty contract - prompting an accusation from unions that it features a carrot but no stick.

"The stick is for teachers, the carrot is for Serco," said Ian Murch, of the Bradford branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT).

Unions are unhappy that Serco was able to extend the period of its contract from seven to ten years during negotiations, and has not given any guarantees about staff terms and conditions, beyond what is required by law.