Chief Executive Officer - The Shaw Education Trust

Location: Staffordshire / Midlands

The Shaw Education Trust (SET) currently comprises of four special schools and a high school in Staffordshire and has ambitious plans to grow further in the area.

SET is creating a network of inspirational and inclusive academies, providing transformational learning and aiming for the highest levels of achievement for students and the communities in which they live. With an ethos of collaboration, best practice and pupil progression, our operating model comprise of peer-to-peer support; providing the best standards of teaching and learning in order to deliver excellent outcomes for all our pupils across the Trust.

Our ambition is to widen exposure to this successful formula, benefiting more young people, whilst ensuring that further expansion in no way detracts from the continued success of our existing family of schools. To that end, the DfE has agreed that SET should grow a second cluster of academies, and the Trust is working with potential partners to identify appropriate schools for inclusion.

Therefore we are seeking a Chief Executive Officer to lead our Trust as it embarks on this ambitious growth strategy. You will demonstrate the strategic capacity to lead and manage a growing and complex organisation, bringing proven leadership skills, innovative thinking, entrepreneurial flair, a passion for education and the ability to improve the life chances of all the young people in our Trust.

SET is sponsored by the Shaw Trust, a leading UK charity with an outstanding reputation for improving the life chances of adults facing disadvantage and disability.

Role

• Responsible to the overarching governing body for leading and managing the Trust, creating and articulating an effective vision and strategy which meets its needs as it evolves.
• Overseeing the delivery of a culture of educational improvement; raising performance, enhancing teaching and learning and ensuring high levels of quality assurance.
• Accountable for the overall financial viability and sustainability of the Trust and for the development of relationships with key internal and external stakeholders for the benefit of its students and the wider communities.

Candidate

• An experienced senior leader with a proven track record of, most likely, leading within the public or third sectors. The Chief Executive will be committed to SET’s visions, values and mission, including principles of transparency and equal opportunities.
• Successful experience of senior management in a complex organisation, including resource and financial management with strong commercial awareness and an understanding of funding streams and cost management.
• A relationship builder; able to articulate and communicate organisational vision and values to a range of stakeholders across the community, including the sponsor, government, funders, third sector and the wider education sector.

Closing date: Monday 8th June 2015