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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.
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Salary: £20,500–£23,000 pro rata (£41,000–£46,000 FTE equivalent), plus £2,000 London Weighting (pro-rated) where applicable
Contract type: Permanent; part-time (2.5 days per week, spread across 3–5 days)
Location: London, Birmingham or Bristol
Hybrid: Envision operates a hybrid working policy with one day per month in a regional office, plus an expectation to travel in and across regions for donor meetings, events and team training.
Role: This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and stewardship of Envision's major donor programme, playing a central role in securing and nurturing the significant philanthropic investment we need to fulfil our mission.
As Philanthropy Manager, you will identify, cultivate and steward high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), building a well-researched prospect pipeline and securing five- and six-figure gifts through compelling proposals, presentations and face-to-face asks. You will maintain high-integrity, personalised stewardship for existing and lapsed donors, producing bespoke communications and impact reports that keep supporters connected to our work.
You will join a supportive and collaborative Philanthropy and Partnerships team that has grown income year on year, diversified its funding base and built lasting partnerships with a growing community of donors and supporters. You will champion the transformative impact of Essential Skills on young people from under-represented backgrounds, translating that impact into inspiring asks that motivate donors to give generously and sustainably.
Key Responsibilities:
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Identify and qualify new major donor prospects and manage a healthy, well-researched pipeline
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Secure significant philanthropic gifts working towards an annual financial target
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Deliver personalised stewardship and high-quality communications for existing and lapsed donors
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Coordinate donor engagement opportunities including events and programme visits
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Contribute to income planning, reporting and Salesforce records management
Essential Experience, Knowledge and Competencies:
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Proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts from HNWIs at all stages of the donor journey
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Demonstrable success in building and maintaining relationships with significant donors and prospects
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Experience cultivating new relationships through networking, events and research
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Ability to write high-quality, compelling donor-facing materials including proposals and impact reports
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Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
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Commitment to Envision's vision, mission and values
Envision seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We actively encourage applications from candidates from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and from socio-economically less-advantaged backgrounds, as they are currently under-represented in our organisation. Envision graduates will be guaranteed a first-round interview.
To apply, please submit your application via Charity Job. For an informal chat about the role, contact our Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships, Robyn, whose contact details can be found in the application pack.
Deadline — Midnight, Sunday 17th May
Please note:
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Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.
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We will only be contacting candidates who have been shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
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Successful candidates will be subject to a full Enhanced DBS check and reference checks.
- We will be interviewing as we go along, so early applicants are encouraged.
- We also regret to inform you that, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide you with feedback regarding your application.
For more information on this role, please see the full application pack.
All answers should be no longer than 250 words
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.