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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.
The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) is looking for a Communications and Marketing Officer to join our small but ambitious team. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape how we engage with healthcare professionals, partners and the public.
Role Purpose
The Communications and Marketing Officer plays a key role in supporting the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK (FSEM) by delivering effective, professional and engaging communications and marketing activity. The post holder will work autonomously to plan, create and manage content for a wide range of audiences including healthcare professionals, patients, policy makers, partners, and the wider public.
They will work closely with external key partners and take responsibility for project marketing, including leading the marketing and promotion of the Moving Medicine patient and professional resources. The role also supports all internal departments to meet their communications and marketing needs, ensuring a consistent, accurate and credible voice for FSEM across all channels.
Duties
Communications
- Deliver and support the implementation of FSEM’s communications strategy.
- Produce high‑quality written content for the website, newsletters, digital channels, policy communications, announcements and general audience information.
- Draft, edit and coordinate organisational publications, reports, position statements and guidance documents.
- Support committees and working groups in producing clinical or professional content, ensuring clarity, consistency and alignment with FSEM standards.
- Draft speeches, blogs, statements and briefings for Senior Officers as required.
- Manage and maintain FSEM’s digital communication channels, ensuring content is accurate, accessible and up to date.
- Monitor policy, news and sector developments to identify opportunities and risks.
- Provide advice on communication approaches to senior officers, committees and working groups.
Marketing
- Plan and deliver targeted marketing campaigns for key FSEM programmes including Moving Medicine, examinations, membership, awards ceremony and educational activity.
- Produce and coordinate promotional materials including digital assets, social media graphics, printed items and campaign copy.
- Manage marketing timelines, stakeholder input and delivery schedules.
- Ensure all marketing adheres to FSEM brand guidelines and reflects organisational values.
- Support and promote major Faculty events including the Awards Ceremony.
Digital and Analytics
- Oversee continuous improvement of the FSEM website, ensuring strong user experience, logical navigation and accurate content.
- Apply SEO best practice to enhance visibility and reach.
- Use digital analytics to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and communications, reporting on performance and identifying improvements.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, digital accessibility requirements and content governance processes.
Collaboration and Organisational Support
- Work closely with all FSEM departments to support their communications, marketing and promotional needs.
- Provide expert communications support to sub‑committees, working groups and project teams across publications, marketing and engagement activity.
- Represent FSEM at internal and external meetings relating to communications, project work or collaborative activity.
- Support the planning and delivery of FSEM events, including on‑site support at the Awards Ceremony.
- Take delegated supervisory responsibility over administrative staff during events or specific project delivery where appropriate.
- Contribute to Faculty‑wide initiatives and organisational development activities.
- Participate in appraisal, maintain high professional standards and commit to ongoing learning.
Responsibilities
- Deliver accurate, timely and effective communications and marketing across all platforms.
- Uphold FSEM’s reputation and ensure positive representation of the Faculty at all times.
- Maintain high editorial standards across all publications, position statements and guidance materials.
- Ensure FSEM departments receive effective communications and marketing support.
- Represent FSEM professionally at meetings and sector events.
- Contribute to the smooth delivery of FSEM events, including conferences and awards activities.
- Ensure data accuracy, digital compliance and reliable reporting.
Accountabilities
- Highly effective delivery of communications plans and marketing campaigns.
- Increased engagement with key professional and public audiences.
- Successful promotion of Moving Medicine resources and other core programmes.
- High quality production of publications, position statements and guidance documents.
- Accurate and insightful reporting using analytics to guide future activity.
- Timely maintenance and development of the FSEM website and digital channels.
- Effective cross departmental collaboration supporting examinations, education, policy and events.
- Smooth, well supported delivery of major FSEM events.
Job Attributes / Skills / Requirements
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong digital communication and social media management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects independently and prioritise effectively.
- Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder management abilities.
- Understanding of SEO, analytics and digital channel performance.
- Knowledge of GDPR and data protection principles.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and design tools such as Canva (or equivalent).
- Experience delivering communications and marketing activity.
- Ability to identify reputational opportunities and risks.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Desirable
- Experience working in a healthcare, medical, education or membership environment.
- Experience managing website content or CRM systems.
- Understanding of Search Engine Marketing (SEM).
- Knowledge of sport and exercise medicine, public health or clinical sectors.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience, in communications, marketing, public relations or a related field.
- Evidence of continuing professional development in communications, marketing or digital media.
Desirable
- Training or certification in digital marketing, analytics, SEO or social media.
- Qualifications or training in health communication, public health or sport and exercise medicine.
- Training or certification in GDPR, data protection or information governance.
To view the full job description, supporting information or to apply please visit our website.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Key responsibilities:
1. Main Purpose of the Job
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To ensure the panel reflects AvMA’s values and that where possible the panel is managed in line with our strategic plan.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Working with the conference department to identify relevant topics for panel meetings and conference events.
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To improve on the current re-accreditation process to make it more streamlined and user friendly for applicants.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dealing with queries raised by AvMA Panel applicants and/or juniors who may have had their applications rejected.
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Ensuring AvMA panel template letters and documents are updated
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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.
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To consider client complaints about panel members to determine whether the threshold for disciplinary action under AvMA’s Panel procedures is met.
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To manage disciplinary procedure for AvMA Panel members, identify and liaise with adjudicators, prepare documentation, set up the hearing.
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To manage appeals against rejection of an application for accreditation/reaccreditation, liaise with adjudicators.
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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.
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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.
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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
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To support the Events Department’s quality initiatives and to suggest continuing improvements where needs arise.
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To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as may be required.
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Deputise for the Head of Events when necessary
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.