211 Head of service and development officer jobs

Help shape the next chapter of a national education charity

At Ambition Institute, we want every child to thrive, whatever their background or starting point. We help educators keep getting better through outstanding professional development, sector-leading research, and key contributions to policy and practice. Over the last three years, we have supported more than 100,000 teachers and leaders, which is more than one in five of all teachers and leaders in England.

We are creating a new Executive Director role to help us grow our impact – bringing together technology, resourcing and organisational capability as we extend our work into new areas of education and internationally.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will be a full member of our Executive Committee, sharing responsibility for the charity’s strategy, performance, culture and sustainability. You will also be our senior technology leader, with executive accountability for Technology, Finance and People.

Your opportunity to make a difference

You will shape how technology supports professional development for tens of thousands of educators and strengthens our work with delivery partners. From learning platforms and strategic technology partnerships to data, artificial intelligence and automation, you will help us identify opportunities and turn them into practical, sustainable improvements.

Working through experienced Directors of Technology, Finance and People, you will help realise our ambitions through the resources, skills and organisational capacity needed to deliver them. You will contribute across the whole charity, advise the Chief Executive and Board on significant choices, and help build an inclusive organisation that delivers excellent work and uses its resources well.

What you will bring

We are looking for an accomplished technology and transformation leader with the breadth and judgement to contribute fully at executive level.

You will bring substantial experience of setting technology strategy and delivering measurable improvements, including through platforms or services used by significant external user communities. You will combine strong understanding of digital technology, data and AI with commercial and financial acumen, sound judgement about risk, and the ability to bring people with different expertise together through change.

Your experience may come from commercial organisations, public services, charities or education. Previous education or charity sector employment is not required, nor is a Finance or HR qualification. You will need the executive capability to oversee these functions through experienced specialists, alongside a clear commitment to our mission.

Why join Ambition?

This is an opportunity to apply your expertise to a clear social purpose, with meaningful influence over our future direction. You will join colleagues who value evidence, share their expertise generously and care deeply about improving educational opportunity.

We offer flexible and hybrid working, 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and a Winter Shutdown, an 11% employer pension contribution, wellbeing support and opportunities for continued development.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and professional pathways, particularly from groups underrepresented in senior leadership. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout recruitment.

Find out more and apply

Please read the candidate pack for full details of the role, working arrangements and selection process.

To apply please submit your CV and a supporting statement of no more than 1,800 words addressing the five headings in the pack.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 1 November 2026.