Director of Education Planning & Access

Free to plan a bright future

We have a lot of ambition to achieve more for the future. We have great staff and expect a lot from them. As a result of their hard work and commitment we have improved, and continue to improve the quality of educational provision for children and young people in Kent. You'll help us to achieve more through your leadership of some of our key services for schools.

We are keen to work with someone who has energy, ideas and enormous ambition to make a difference and improve life chances. You would be joining a team that is very focused and determined to bring about big improvements in outcomes and the quality of all education settings in Kent. We have high expectations and like challenge, and set ourselves ambitious targets. We also place great value on team work and supporting each other to do well, as well as working in close partnership with schools and other providers and promoting strong collaboration across the county.

We want a team player who works in these ways, effectively and successfully with others, especially with schools and other partners. The job requires system leadership and driving change through influence and effective networking. The successful candidate will be someone who can work effectively in partnership with the DfE, and with our Diocesan and other partners.

We also respect great leadership which is demonstrated by being highly knowledgeable and experienced. You will be very good at your job and have a track record in delivering significant improvements, as well as influencing and persuading others to be on board during a time of significant change.

You will lead and direct the development and delivery of effective school place planning and provision, admissions and SEND services. Your expertise will ensure we update and deliver on our key strategies for commissioning and delivering new education provision and the improvements we expect to see through our Education Commissioning Plan and SEND Strategy.

About the role:

The successful implementation of our strategies will provide high quality school places across a diverse range of schools for children and young people at all ages, helping to improve parental choice.

Together you'll ensure the best Admissions policy and practice, the development of new school provisions meet legal requirements and that every child in Kent receives their educational entitlement. You'll be a champion for Special Educational Needs and the needs of vulnerable learners.

As a member of our Directorate Management Team, you'll also work across the board to make strategic decisions on the most effective use of our budgets, resources and policies in Education and Young People's Services.

About you:

You will be a successful senior manager who has delivered improvements in service quality and achieved impressive outcomes. You will know how local authorities discharge their duties and responsibilities, and work with partners to achieve the best outcomes. And you will be ambitious for children and for our schools to succeed, and will know what helps most to ensure that success.

Leading by example, you will be well able to influence and negotiate at a strategic professional and political level both locally and nationally. You'll need a good range of communication skills to build strong relationships with everyone you meet.

Additional Information:

To view and download the job description and person specification for this role please visit http://green-park-jobs.co.uk/kentcc/education/

For further information on this role please call our consultants Andrea Trainer or Ella Milward Hamylton on 020 7399 3996.

Closing date: 2 March 2015.