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.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Rural Housing Enabler
Hours: up to 34 hours per week available for the role.
Working days and hours to be agreed with the successful candidate
Location: Office base Brightspace, Ipswich or Kirkley Centre, Lowestoft with blended/hybrid working
Term: Fixed Term to 31 March 2027 (potential to extend subject to funding)
Salary: £31,295 Fulltime (pro rata £28,374.13)
Start date: As soon as possible
About us
Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is the county’s infrastructure organisation for the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector. We exist to ensure our sector, and its volunteers are supported, safe and sustainable and that our communities are active and resilient.
Our values of collaborative, enabling, person centred, responsive and trusted are the golden thread which runs through who we are and how we operate, and we aim to make them real every day.
About the role
We are seeking a Rural Housing Enabler to join our friendly team and help tackle the rural housing challenges in Suffolk.
In this role, you will:
- Play a crucial part in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Suffolk
- Engage with communities and provide a range of support including:
- Raising awareness of the need for affordable housing
- Facilitating initial discussions to assess need
- Gather evidence of need around rural housing
- Liaise and engage with stakeholders
- Assist parishes throughout the journey of developing their own local housing schemes
In this role, clear communication is essential. You’ll be presenting to a range of audiences, and working in partnership with communities / community leaders, parish councils, district and county authorities, landowners, developers, housing organisations, and other partners to bring forward affordable rural housing projects in Suffolk. Good IT skills, and the ability to build strong relationships are crucial.
Although this role is predominately desk space there will be some travel around the county and within rural areas of Suffolk. Access to a car is advantageous.
The ideal candidate will have the following experience/skills:
- Excellent working knowledge of the issues affecting housing in Suffolk, and other issues affecting rural communities
- Experience/ understanding of working in supporting rural communities thorough consultation for affordable and/or community led housing
- A good understanding of the principles of quality community consultation
- Working with local authorities, parish councils, housing associations and similar organisations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
If you are interested in a role which is community led and focused on rural issues within Suffolk we would like to hear from you.
For more information please visit our website for more information on who to contact.
We are a friendly organisation, committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in all that we do, and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We aim to create a workplace which is welcoming, fair, and inclusive, where people can be themselves and contribute to our vision and values.
We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, or on commencement of post.
What we offer
You will work within a reputable charity which offers its employees benefits which include:
- Blended working where role allows
- Flexible working options to support work/life balance
- 33 days (FTE) increasing to a maximum 36 (FTE) annual holiday which includes an allowance for bank holidays
- Up to 4% matched pension contribution
- 2 days pro rata volunteering days to support volunteering in Suffolk
- Staff Discounts Scheme for a range of retailers including; shopping, holidays, insurance, eating out and health and leisure activities
- Company Sick Pay Scheme
- Continued Professional Development for job related development
- Family Friendly policies and practices
- Tailored induction
For more information and an application pack please visit our website.
Applications for this role will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis until the role is filled. Interviews will be arranged according to availability.
We therefore encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment, as we reserve the right to close this job listing once a successful candidate is appointed.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
Community Action Suffolk’s mission is to strengthen and champion community action in Suffolk by supporting the VCFSE sector
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We’re looking for an exceptional Associate Director of Fundraising to lead one of the most ambitious and high-performing fundraising teams in the sector.
At Blood Cancer UK, our fundraising is in a strong position. Over the last five years, we’ve doubled our income, achieved growth across every fundraising discipline, successfully launched new products, and reached new audiences.
We have fantastic momentum and the ambition to go even further. You would be joining us at an especially exciting time – we’re in the early stages of our first-ever major appeal and have already secured more than £8 million towards our £25 million target. Backed by a highly engaged and well-connected appeal board, this campaign has huge potential across Fundraising, but especially our high value audiences.
We’re looking for an experienced and confident high-value fundraiser — someone who can build authentic relationships with senior and influential supporters, open doors, and inspire people to be part of something transformative.
Alongside this, you’ll oversee our thriving mid-value and legacy fundraising programmes and help us deepen engagement with supporters across the UK.
Our community is the heartbeat of our organisation: passionate, determined people, often with a personal connection to blood cancer and a powerful desire to make a difference. With around five million people affected by blood cancer in the UK, the opportunity to grow our reach and impact is enormous.
You’ll bring ambition, passion and high standards, with the ability to lead and inspire a large, talented team of nearly 50 people. Collaboration will come naturally to you — you’ll build strong relationships across the organisation and be a key member of the Blood Cancer UK leadership team, creating a culture where people feel inspired to be their best.
Most importantly, you will make a real difference to the lives of people affected by blood cancer.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
We research, we support, we care. Because it’s time to beat leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and all types of blood cancer.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.