WORKING WITH US
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
A rare opportunity to lead communications and brand for one of the UK’s leading education trusts.
As Head of Communications and Brand at the Harris Federation, you will shape and protect our public profile, leading strategic communications, marketing and media activity across a network of 55 academies.
Reporting to the CEO, you will act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, driving brand consistency, overseeing high impact campaigns, and leading digital, PR and internal communications to support pupil recruitment, staff attraction and organisational growth. You will also build and lead a high performing MarComms function and manage external agency partnerships.
This is a pivotal leadership role where you’ll bring the Harris story to life - showcasing our impact, strengthening our reputation, and helping us navigate sector challenges with clarity and credibility.
If you are a senior communications leader with a strong track record in brand, digital and stakeholder engagement, and are passionate about making a difference to young people’s futures - we’d love to hear from you.
MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Leadership & Executive Advisory
- Develop and lead the Federation’s external communications and brand strategy at the highest level, ensuring coherence across all academies and central services.
- Act as an adviser to the CEO and executive team on internal and external communications.
Brand Leadership
- Own and embed the Federation’s brand identity, values, and visual standards across all academies and external channels.
- Own and embed brand guidelines, tone of voice, and messaging across all channels to ensure consistency.
External Campaigns & Growth Marketing
- Create comprehensive marketing and communications strategies that align with the Federations aims and increase brand awareness.
- Own and develop high impact external campaigns to support pupil recruitment, reputation and trust building, staff recruitment (in collaboration with Talent Acquisition), and new academy expansions.
MarComms Directorate Leadership
- Build and lead a high performing Marketing & Communications Directorate.
- Set long-term capability requirements and lead workforce planning as the function scales.
For a full list of responsibilities, please download the Job Pack.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media or related field.
- Professional Marketing qualification (CIM or equivalent)
- Evidence of CPD in digital marketing, SEO, or communications.
- Significant experience in marketing, communications, or digital strategy.
- Experience managing brand identity and external communications
- Experience in education, charity or public sector.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing, SEO, Analytics, and social media best practice.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Strong design awareness and understanding of visual identity.
- Proficiency with CMS platforms, social media tools, and analytics software.
For a full job specification, please download the Job Pack.
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.
Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.
A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our vision, from the start, has been to provide the structure and services needed for our schools to amount to more than the sum of their parts, and to free-up our teachers and leaders to focus on one thing and one thing only: the outstanding education of all their pupils. Our young people and communities are at the heart of everything we do. Our core mission has always been to close the educational gap between young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers. Our ambition is one where every child in London, no matter their background, has equal access to high quality education, giving them the same opportunities and potential to succeed.
We know there are many challenges facing our young people and the communities we serve, and that’s why we need determined people like you to help us tackle those inequalities. Whilst each of our academies has their own unique cultures and values; as a whole Federation, we have four core values which are central to successfully achieving our vision: Excellence, Collaboration, Support, and Innovation. We are proud of our values because they guide us in how we work allowing us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our young people, communities, and colleagues.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Safeguarding Notice
The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.
Equal Opportunities
The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Harris has a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.
You will also have access to a variety of benefits, support programmes and initiatives including:
- Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression
- Annual performance and loyalty bonus
- Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
- 26 days' annual leave (inclusive of our Christmas Eve closure day) plus bank holidays, rising to 27 days after 2 years' service, or equivalent for staff on term time contracts
- Harris Wellbeing Cash Plan including cover for routine and specialist healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme for free and confidential advice
- Cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme
- Wide range of shopping, leisure, and travel discounts
- 20% off at Tapi Carpets, exclusive to Harris employees
- Interest-free ICT and season ticket loans
For most non-teaching staff based at our Head Office in East Croydon, we also offer lifestyle friendly working arrangements including flexible start and end times, and hybrid working with two days from home and three days on site.
Overview
Are you a dynamic, compassionate, and forward‑thinking nurse who’s passionate about delivering high‑quality care and leading teams to make a real difference?
Do you thrive in a fast‑paced environment where no two days are the same — and where your clinical leadership can genuinely change lives?
At Change Grow Live, we’re committed to supporting people to achieve positive change in their lives. Our Camden service plays a vital role in improving health and wellbeing in the community, and we’re looking for a Cluster Lead Nurse who can help shape and elevate our clinical offer.
This is an exciting time to join us — with developing clinical pathways, expanding harm‑reduction work, and innovation at the heart of what we do. You’ll have the autonomy to influence practice, the support to lead confidently, and the opportunity to leave a lasting impact.
Location: Camden
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 per week*
Contract: Permanent**
Allowance: £4133.14 Inner London Weighting, Pro rata
*Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.
*Please note that this role requires onsite working for 5 days a week.
Responsibilities
What You’ll Bring
We’re looking for someone who is:
A strong clinical leader
Someone who can confidently guide, support, and motivate our nursing team — setting the tone for high clinical standards and safe, evidence‑based practice. You’ll lead by example, offering clear direction, constructive feedback, and encouragement, while creating a positive, supportive environment where nurses can grow, develop, and deliver excellent care.
Passionate about health promotion, harm reduction, and inclusion
You’ll champion safe, accessible, and non‑judgemental care for everyone we support. You’ll promote practical harm‑reduction approaches, empower people to make informed choices about their health, and help create an environment where individuals with complex needs feel respected, included, and supported.
Skilled in partnership working
You’ll build strong, effective relationships with a wide range of partners — including local healthcare teams, mental health services, primary care, and wider community organisations. You’ll communicate confidently across disciplines, helping to join up care pathways, reduce barriers, and ensure the people we support receive truly coordinated, person‑centred care.
Confident in decision‑making
You’ll bring strong clinical expertise and the confidence to make clear, informed decisions — even when situations are complex, time‑sensitive, or unpredictable. You’ll be able to balance risk, safety, and person‑centred care while staying calm and focused under pressure. Your sound clinical judgement will guide the team, support safe practice, and ensure the best outcomes for the people we work with.
Committed to developing others
You’ll invest in your team’s growth, creating an environment where nurses feel supported, valued, and confident to progress. You’ll provide guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback, helping colleagues build their skills and achieve their professional goals. By nurturing talent and encouraging continuous learning, you’ll strengthen the team and ensure high‑quality, compassionate care across the service.
What You’ll Do
As Cluster Lead Nurse, you will:
- Provide clinical leadership across the service working closely with the senior leadership team.
- Oversee high‑quality health assessments, BBV interventions, wound care, and harm‑reduction delivery
- Drive excellent standards in safety, governance, and clinical compliance
- Support training and development of the nursing and wider operational teams
- Help shape and innovate our local clinical model
- Build strong relationships with our Gateshead partnerships
- Be a visible and approachable leader for staff and service users
What We Offer
- A supportive, values‑driven organisation
- Opportunities for professional development and specialist training
- A strong multidisciplinary environment
- A role where your ideas are welcomed — and your leadership genuinely makes a difference
- Generous annual leave and employee wellbeing benefits
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you’re a committed, enthusiastic nurse who wants to lead with compassion and help shape the future of our Camden service, we’d love to hear from you.
Direct applications only we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Salary is subject to review in line with the 2025/26 pay award.
Apply now and be part of something that truly changes lives.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time)
CGL points 45 to 47 (£49,950.27 - £52,221.35)
ILW / OLW /Fringe
Inner London Weighting (£4,133.14)
Closing Date
19/7/2026
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Our mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.