External relation director jobs in Manchester

Do you want to provide critical systems and logistical support for our growing and ambitious education charity? The Finance and Operations Coordinator is responsible for managing our day-to-day financial systems, overseeing the running of our database and website, and providing administrative support for the general running of the organisation, including project managing our community and fundraising events. You will provide support to the Executive Director and other members of the team to ensure the smooth running of Teach for Tomorrow.

We are a small and passionate team that work on a hybrid model: your place of work should be within easy commuting distance from either London, Manchester, Coventry or Grantham.

Your Key Duties and Accountabilities

Finance Administration

• Place, track and process orders, invoices, expenses and financial transactions

• Maintain Quickbooks with all transactions, provide reports as required and maintain the interface between CiviCRM and Quickbooks

• Set up payments for authorisation in the bank account as required

• Generate contracts as required

• Maintain relationships with suppliers, venues and partners

• Manage the interface with the company pension provider and pensions regulator, making payments as required and ensuring all statutory obligations are met

Database, Website and Knowledge Management

• Maintain the organisation database and provide reports and information as required by team members

• Ensure that the website is up-to-date and upload new resources, information and news stories as required

• Monitor analytics relating to website and support the management of Search Engine Optimisation

• Ensure that the knowledge management system and processes are maintained, including website and database change logs

• Maintain the relationship with the website and database provider/sand ensure that the monthly retainer is monitored and reviewed

• Liaise with the Data Protection Officer to ensure that all statutory requirements are met in relation to data protection and UK GDPR

Operational Coordination and Administration

• Manage external vendor relationships, in particular - but not exclusively - website and database providers, HR and Health and Safety providers, Safeguarding support, IT support services, Accountant and Auditors, and memberships of organisations such as the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

• Maintain filing systems online and in hard copy (where required)

• Maintain policies and procedure documents, ensuring updates are made as required and updates are provided for reporting to board

• Be first point of contact for general enquiries and monitor all general communication channels

• Provide general administration support as required

Events 

• Work with the Chief Executive and other staff to ensure successful planning and execution of fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship events and all related activities. Responsibilities include: managing invitation process, tracking registrations and gifts, running and circulating reports

• Provide logistical support of the events on the day

Perform other related duties as required by position.

There will be an occasional requirement to work outside normal hours to support evening events – with a late start and late finish – but if this is expected, advance notice will be given.

Your Core Competencies - Essential

• Competency with technology, including Microsoft, Google and other software/tools (E)

• Specific experience of either working with a database (CiviCRM or similar) OR a finance management system (Quickbooks or similar) (E)

• Strong relationship-building skills and an ability to maintain relationships over time (E)

• Effective communication skills - in writing and orally (E)

• Ability to manage time and multiple tasks (E)

• Well-organised and detail-oriented (E)

• Ability to resolve most issues and tasks independently, escalating complex situations (E)

• Maintain a high level of confidentiality due to the nature of work (E)

• Commitment to the purpose of Teach for Tomorrow (E)

Your Knowledge, Education and Experience - Desireable

• Project management skills and experience (D)

• Specific experience of either working with both CiviCRM and Quickbooks (D)

Your Specialised Certifications

• None

Your Primary Contacts

• Interacts broadly with all staff and significant interactions outside the charity including customers, vendors, consultants, and others

Your People Management

• No direct people management responsibilities

Your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Database and Website are maintained and managed well

• Finance processes are followed and maintained

• Vendor relationships are well managed

• Policies and procedures, administration systems and knowledge management systems are up-to-date and well managed

• Event logistics are managed well

• Works in line with the organisational values

Why work at Teach for Tomorrow?

Our purpose is to create a better world - one classroom at a time. We believe in the power and potential of educators to inspire and transform the lives of young people by unlocking new levels of understanding, awareness and community mindedness so they are equipped to create a better future for everyone.

Having recently rebranded from Facing History and Ourselves UK, we are focused on driving growth and giving as many schools and teachers as possible the tools and content to empower their students to become engaged citizens whilst also excelling in their academic performance. We will be developing new ways to extend our reach and scale our work. The coordinator role will be key to the smooth running and success of our organisation, supporting the operational, financial and community-building efforts that underpin our work. 

Employees receive 24 days of paid annual leave and all bank holidays. We provide up to a 5% match on pension contributions and there is an Employee Support Scheme in place.

Teach for Tomorrow is an Equal Opportunity Employer and proudly values diversity. Based on the current profile of our workforce and our commitment to being a diverse and inclusive workplace, which we believe makes an organisation more effective, we particularly welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people living with a disability and people from the LGBTQ+ community. All applications will be assessed based on the candidate’s skills and abilities in relation to the person specification.

Teach for Tomorrow is committed to processing your personal data fairly, lawfully and transparently in line with GDPR 2016.

Teach for Tomorrow is a registered charity, number 1103592.

Please note, applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.

Application Instructions

Please send a full CV (no more than 2 sides of A4) and a covering letter / supporting statement (no more than 2 sides of A4) which outlines with clear examples how you meet the core competencies, skills and experience required. Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Form, which you will encounter as you click 'Apply Now'.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1 June at 10am. We reserve the right to close applications for this role early, so we encourage candidates to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Interviews are currently scheduled for Wednesday 10 June. If you are unavailable on this date, please let us know. This will not affect your selection. If shortlisted, we will offer an alternative date.

If you would like to have an informal conversation before applying, please get in touch via the Contact Page on our website or with the email in the attached pack and someone will contact you to set up a call. 

Money & Energy Advice Service Lead

Pro rata salary: £39,825 (35 hour week)

Home-based, with travel as required

Up to 35 hours per week with occasional evenings and / or weekend work will be required

Permanent (subject to external funding)

Responsible for: 2.0 FTE Money & Energy Advisers

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced welfare benefits practitioner with a passion for sharing knowledge and enabling teams to deliver above and beyond.

With around 4 in 10 beneficiaries, we support seeking help with financial difficulties, this is a pivotal role for Kidney Care UK.

We are seeking a knowledgeable and confident specialist income maximisation activities for a role with three key parts: to lead a small team delivering benefits and energy advice and support directly to clients; to play a key role in upskilling and supporting our outstanding Patient Support team across the country; and to be the subject matter expert within Kidney Care UK.

Our external partners – British Gas Energy Trust have committed to fund our Money and Energy Service until March 2027. We are advertising this position as ‘permanent’ – we anticipate confirmation by December 2026 whether funding will be extended beyond March 2027.

This role is made possible thanks to the support of British Gas Energy Trust.

About Kidney Care UK

Around 3.5 million people in the UK live with chronic kidney disease, and one million of them don’t know that they do.

Since 1975, Kidney Care UK has been at the forefront of supporting people with kidney disease. From our early days when we campaigned to introduce donor cards in the UK, we have worked hard to support and represent the interests of everyone affected by kidney disease. 

About the Money & Energy Advice Service

The Money & Energy Advice Service (MEAS) provides information and support for welfare benefits and income maximisation and promotes awareness of efficient energy use. Working closely with Patient Support officers, MEAS provides specialist knowledge and directly supports clients to achieve sustainable financial outcomes. The service was established in 2023 with the support of British Gas Energy Trust and is embedded as a valued element of the many ways Kidney Care UK supports people affected by kidney failure.

What we offer

Working at Kidney Care UK is incredibly rewarding and you will see the life-changing impact that the charity has on kidney patients and their families:

• Flexi-time – we are flexible about start and finish times, and flexible about your location.
• Annual and Christmas leave – we offer 25 days annual leave for full time employees plus bank holidays. We also close for three days between Christmas and New Year, and you don’t need to take this from your annual leave allowance.
• Pension – you’ll be eligible for and auto-enrolled into a pension scheme where your employer will contribute 8% of your salary.
• Health cashback plan – ability to claim back a wide variety of routine medical treatments.
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to a wide variety of support including counselling, health resources and advice.
• Cycle2Work scheme

Position: Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Scotland)
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours a per-week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home Based in Scotland
Salary: Starting from £26,384 per annum plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 1, Charity
You will start at our entry point salary of £26,384 per annum, increasing to £28,033 after 6 months service and satisfactory performance and to £29,682 after a further 6 months.

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus. 

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information. 

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and talented policy and public affairs professional to join our team. You should have experience of working to develop policy and have the ability to communicate our position to a wide range of audiences across Scotland.

In this exciting role you will work with the MS community to influence change in public policy, continuing to make the case for improvements in the treatment, care and support of people affected by MS.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who understands the political and policy environment in Scotland, who has experience in external facing influencing roles, who is outcome-focused and delivers tangible results. The successful candidate will work closely with the MS community, the Scottish Policy and Communications team as well as key external partners such as MSPs and their teams.

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 1st of June

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Equal Opportunities 
We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and or from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 38 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Job Purpose

The Group Head of Marketing and Communications is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering an excellent quality, high impact approach to integrated marketing, brand and communications across the TLC Group.

The postholder will primarily set direction and enable the team to deliver their work, with some direct input into campaigns, messaging and other outputs. 

This role is directly accountable for:

• Growth in key audiences
• Smooth running of the marketing provision of TLC Group including website, social, internal and external comms, press, PR and brands.
• Delivery of high-quality campaigns, on time and to budget, which deliver agreed outcomes. 

The role will share responsibility with others for: 

• Growth in fundraised income
• Performance of commercial subsidiaries

Wider Support

The postholder will be supported by the Director of Development as their line manager, and beyond that the Development sub-committee of our TLC Group Board alongside the wider Board itself. 

There will be scope to shape and grow the internal team if / when the TLC Group continues to expand. Beyond the direct team, TLC Group uses a network of freelancers and agencies and there is potentially scope to draw in their expertise, budget permitting. 

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Provide outstanding leadership and direction for the TLC Group Marketing and Communications team, bringing energy and drive to our ambition.
• Develop and lead the implementation of a TLC Group-wide Marketing and Communications strategy aligned with organisational goals. 
• Lead on positioning the organisation as a sector leader, enhancing visibility, influence and impact. 
• Advise the Executive Leadership Team on marketing, communications and reputational risk. Plan and mitigate against brand and organisational reputational risk and manage crisis communications effectively. 

Brand and Communications

• Lead the development and ongoing delivery of brand marketing strategies for each of our differentiated brands, supporting the transition to an audience led approach. 
• Lead the implementation and embedding of our new brand portfolio across our organisation including successful application of brand identities, values, key messages and tone of voice. 
• Identify opportunities to increase brand awareness and lead the delivery of these across a national footprint. 
• Set the strategic direction for all internal and external communications, including our Press and PR work.
• Ensure our messaging reflects organisational values, mission and impact. 

Income Generation and Commercial Integration

• Support the growth of our Charity by providing Marketing expertise and developing marketing plans which facilitate our partnerships and charitable income generation work (fundraising, philanthropy and grants). Work closely with our Development and Partnerships teams to deliver this. 
• Support the Group's commercial subsidiaries by providing Marketing expertise and developing marketing plans which assist the subsidiaries to meet their revenue targets. Work closely with our Group Commercial Director to deliver this. 

Influencing 

• Support our Policy team (part of our Development team) developing TLC's government relations work through influencing campaigns, parliamentary events and policy responses. 

Digital and Innovation

• Drive digital changes and innovative solutions to improve customer journeys, supporter retention and AI integrations/automations, helping to futureproof our growing organisation. 

Leadership and Management

• Lead the team to deliver across brands, through effective project management and prioritisation as well as ensuring alignment of stakeholder expectations against agreed objectives. 
• Develop our high-performing marketing and communications team and build connections which embed marketing and communications across the entire Group.
• Establish a network of strategic relationships with key stakeholders across team and subsidiaries to support a one team approach, integrated planning and effective delivery.
• Set the Departmental budget with a focus on value for money. 

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, media and influencers. 
• Represent the organisation externally at events and in the media. 

Organisational

• Support the designated safeguarding lead to ensure all staff, volunteers, trustees and students at TLC Group understand that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Ensure adherence to policies, mandatory training, reporting concerns, and compliance to protect children and adults at risk.
• Perform any other duties within the general scope of this job profile or as reasonably required by the Director of Development.
• Commit to continuous professional development through engagement in specific opportunities agreed with the Director of Development. 

Person Specification

Experience

• Senior leadership experience in marketing and communications. 
• Proven track record of developing and implementing effective brand strategies across:

           - An organisation with a diverse portfolio of services, brands or sub-brands - and/or

           -A charity or social enterprise with commercial subsidiaries

• Developing and implementing marketing and communications strategies that employ a mixture of marketing channels.
• Producing comprehensive campaigns that increase income and engagement. 
• Building high trust, collaborative relationships and managing stakeholders at every level. 
• Understanding and working with diverse audiences. 

Skills and abilities

• Seeing things both strategically and operationally.
• Managing a multi-brand portfolio in a fast faced environment.
• Creating and managing a departmental budget to ensure a good return on investment.
• Excellent leadership, influencing and relationship management skills, including with freelancers or agencies.

Qualities

• A positive, creative problem solver.

What success looks like

In the first six months, we would expect this role to build a strong understanding of the Group structure and priorities, while starting to bring greater clarity and alignment across the brand portfolio and marketing approach. There is a real opportunity here to shape direction early, deliver some quick wins, and build momentum across the organisation.

By twelve to eighteen months, the expectation would be to see clear, measurable impact in areas such as audience growth, income generation and brand visibility, alongside a more defined and embedded marketing function that is set up to support both the charity and commercial aims of the Group.

This role offers a high degree of ownership, and will suit someone who enjoys building, prioritising and making progress across multiple areas, while helping the organisation focus its efforts over time.

Key responsibilities:

1. Main Purpose of the Job

• To ensure the panel reflects AvMA’s values and that where possible the panel is managed in line with our strategic plan.

• To manage and oversee the operation of the specialist AvMA clinical negligence panel to include ensuring the qualifying requirements for panel applicants are relevant and up to date and reflect any important medical and legal developments.

• The assessment of panel applications and interviewing of Applicants. Convening meetings of the panel committee, drafting agendas for those meetings and identifying issues to be discussed.

• Identify ways for the AvMA panel application process to become more streamlined, efficient and supportive of lawyers making panel applications. To develop the process to ensure it is fit for purpose, relevant and continues to meet the needs of the public.

• Ensuring the AvMA database of panel membership and special interests is kept up to date. Giving informal advice to solicitors enquiring about panel membership requirements, liaising and meeting with firms as required.

• Travelling and attending key networking events, including AvMA’s three-day (2 overnight stays) annual conference and AvMA annual panel meeting (usually held end Nov, beginning December), engaging with potential AvMA panel applicants, promoting the benefits of accreditation and the junior scheme (Certificates Competence Scheme (CCS)), keeping up to date with medical and legal developments. Speaking at panel meetings and generally to promote the panel.

• Working with the conference department to identify relevant topics for panel meetings and conference events.

• To improve on the current re-accreditation process to make it more streamlined and user friendly for applicants.

• To ensure relevant data from panel applications is captured on the CRM. Regular analysis of panel data, findings shared with AvMA senior leadership team and more widely where appropriate.

• To pursue AvMA’s EDI strategy by considering ways in which the panel can be developed to ensure panel members are as ethnically diverse as possible.

• To liaise with AvMA’s conference department to advise on any training which may be required to strengthen AvMA panel members knowledge and information base.

• To work with the Director Medico Legal services in assessing applications for Certificate of Competence Scheme (CCS) for juniors. To update and work on the Certificates Competence Scheme including organising applicant feedback to ensure this scheme continues to be fit for purpose. To inform and work with panel applicant mentors in strengthening the scheme.

• To deliver on administrative requirements such as quarterly reports for trustees, working with AvMA’s Service Delivery Quality and Outreach Committee (SDQOC) as required to update on continued improvement of AvMA Panel Accreditation Scheme.

• Dealing with queries raised by AvMA Panel applicants and/or juniors who may have had their applications rejected.

• Ensuring AvMA panel template letters and documents are updated

• From time to time speaking publicly about requirements for AvMA panel membership, common pitfalls and how to overcome them as well as other matters relating to panel.

• To consider client complaints about panel members to determine whether the threshold for disciplinary action under AvMA’s Panel procedures is met.

• To manage disciplinary procedure for AvMA Panel members, identify and liaise with adjudicators, prepare documentation, set up the hearing.

• To manage appeals against rejection of an application for accreditation/reaccreditation, liaise with adjudicators.

• To keep on top of any government, regulatory or other policy changes which may affect the way in which patients can access justice, recover damages and seek redress for adverse clinical outcomes, as well as any improvements or impediments to lawyers undertaking this work.

• To develop and grow the AvMA panel accreditation and Certificates Competence scheme membership; to identify cost efficiencies and maximum engagement with AvMA accredited panel solicitors.

• Any other duties associated with the role.

2. Skills and Experience

Administration of the AvMA Panel

The bulk of the administration and management tasks do not require specialist skills; however, assistance is provided by the PA to the CEO when required.

AvMA has a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) driven computer system throughout the organisation, the introduction has been phased and the applicant should be confident enough with sufficient IT skills to onboard the new system. The CRM works with Microsoft Dynamics 365 a data driven software solution which is intended to manage, track and store information. AvMA considers IT to be an ongoing commitment and the new panel accreditation manager should be willing to consider ways in which AvMA can maximise the impact of the CRM to improve services and data collection on key issues identified from panel related activities.

Tasks such as updating and preparing new panel application documents and report forms will require medical and legal input, the panel application interview process will involve discussions about topical medico legal issues and for this reason the post would suit someone who has a legal background, ideally qualified as a solicitor or barrister, preferably with clinical negligence accreditation. A a medical background would be helpful.

Assessment of new applications, interviews and dealing with correspondence

The Panel Accreditation Manager is primarily responsible for the assessment of new panel accreditation applications.

The role of Panel Accreditation Manager would suit someone who has practised as a claimant clinical negligence lawyer who is looking to draw on their expertise and experience in a new role.The successful applicant should be confident in assessing former peers and colleagues in a fair and impartial way.

The nature of this work is such that the Panel Accreditation Manager can come into possession of sensitive information, discretion and respecting confidentiality are key qualities for this role. 

Reaccreditations

Reaccreditation assessments are done internally by the Panel Accreditation Manager, occasionally assistance can be provided by members of the internal panel assessment team.

AvMA aims to make reaccreditations more straightforward for practitioners and the new appointee will be expected to liaise with the profession to understand where they consider the biggest hurdles to reaccreditation lie and to consider how these can be overcome without compromising standards. 

AvMA receives a minimum of 15 applications for reaccreditation per annum, however numbers are usually considerably higher, up to 30 per annum.It is thought that the reaccreditation process could be designed to be more streamlined and user friendly for both the applicant and in house.

Other AvMA Panel assessments

In addition to assessing AvMA panel applications and reaccreditations the Panel Accreditation Manager will need to assess applications from accredited panel members who have changed firms.

Change of firm applications tend to be straightforward if the applicant has been on the panel for some time and is going to a firm where there is another AvMA panel member but the process is more in depth for those going to a firm which does not have another AvMA panel member.  The Panel Application Manager needs to be confident that the new firm can meet the minimum standards and supervision requirements required of a first time panel application. 

There are about 5 applications for changes of firm rising to a maximum of 10 per annum. 

Interim Reviews

From time to time first time applicants may demonstrate that they largely meet the core criteria for AvMA Panel membership but there may be some areas that require improvement.In those cases, AvMA can award the applicant AvMA panel status subject to a review sometime later.The Panel Accreditation Manager is responsible for following up that review and examining progress made.The review is an opportunity to identify if the applicant has succeeded in strengthening the areas of weakness identified.If they have not, they risk losing their AvMA panel status entirely. 

There are about 3 interim reviews per annum, currently not exceeding 6. 

3. Other

• To support the Events Department’s quality initiatives and to suggest continuing improvements where needs arise.

• To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as may be required.

• Deputise for the Head of Events when necessary 

What does it take to lead the national voice for special schools at a time of real change?

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – National Association of Special Schools (NASS)

National – home-based, with regular travel across England and Wales, particularly London

£90,000–£110,000 per annum

Full-time, permanent.

About NASS 

The National Association of Special Schools (NASS) is the membership association for special schools in England and Wales. We bring together independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, special academies, maintained special schools and multi-academy trusts with specialist provision.

We exist to inform, support and represent our members, helping specialist schools improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and secure the place of specialist provision within the wider education system. NASS is known for being accessible, responsive and personal, combining national influence with practical support that members value as timely, human and trustworthy.

This is a pivotal moment for the organisation. In February this year, the Department for Education published a major white paper on SEND reform which will require NASS to both influence national policy on behalf of our members and children and young people, as well as support them to navigate the changes. Our new CEO will need to review our strategy while building on our strong platform and momentum to further deepen our influence and strengthen our internal capacity.

As our next Chief Executive, you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Lead NASS through a period of policy and structural change, ensuring the organisation remains clear on purpose, responsive to members and influential in the SEND landscape.
• Governance & Finance: Work closely with the Board of Trustees to provide strong governance, prudent financial stewardship, robust risk management and clear strategic oversight.
• Operational Leadership: Provide confident leadership to a small, remote team, strengthening collaboration, accountability, resilience and a positive, high-trust culture.
• Income Generation: Oversee budgeting, planning and reporting while developing thoughtful opportunities to diversify income through membership, partnerships, events and related activity.
• Community & Partnerships: Build and sustain trusted relationships with government, parliament, regulators, sector bodies and member schools, ensuring NASS remains relevant and well connected.
• Member Services: Protect and enhance the practical offer to members, from briefings and special interest groups to conferences, webinars, training and peer-to-peer learning.
• Brand & Profile: Act as a credible public ambassador for NASS, helping to modernise communications and broaden the organisation’s voice beyond a founder-shaped model.
• Future Growth: Shape a distributed leadership profile and support a more varied, accessible and engaging approach to membership, advocacy and communications.
• A seasoned senior leader with experience in a charity, membership body, education or public sector setting, and a clear track record of leading through change.
• A strong strategic thinker, able to absorb complex information quickly and translate it into clear, practical direction.
• A confident communicator with the gravitas to represent NASS with members, staff, trustees, MPs, peers, media and national partners.
• A politically astute relationship-builder, comfortable navigating a complex and fast-moving external environment.
• Experienced in governance, with a sound understanding of working with boards or trustees and supporting effective decision-making.
• Numerate and commercially minded, with experience of budgets, financial planning, income generation or partnership development.
• Credible, approachable and resilient, with the emotional intelligence to lead well in a high-profile, remote and sometimes uncertain context.
• Direct SEND experience would be a significant advantage, alongside understanding of specialist education or similarly complex stakeholder environments.

Why NASS?

• This is a chance to lead a respected, member-led organisation with a strong national reputation and a clear public purpose.
• You will help shape the future of specialist education at a time when SEND reform is high on the agenda.
• NASS has a loyal, experienced and collegiate remote staff team, supported by an active Board of Trustees.
• The organisation offers a genuinely influential platform, with strong connections across the sector and with government.

Application

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 8th June 2026

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.