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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.
Thank you!
We are partnering with a leading educational charity that believes every young person deserves access to high-quality education and career support, regardless of their background.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, and as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will lead the organisation's fundraising strategy and team to secure significant, multi-year income from major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates. You’ll be responsible for expanding their funding base, deepening key relationships, and ensuring the organisation has the partnerships and resources to achieve its mission.
Fundraising has developed rapidly in recent years, with investment, board-level commitment and a growing team driving success. With strong foundations in place and a portfolio of high-value partnerships, there is an exciting opportunity to scale their strategic influence and deepen their impact.
We’re looking for a relationship-driven leader who will take an entrepreneurial approach to identifying opportunities for new funds and develop long-term, high-impact partnerships.
This is a mostly home-based role, with monthly team meetings and occasional overnight stays at the N.England headquarters, and fortnightly attendance at the London office. Travel costs covered.
As Head of Fundraising, you will:
- Lead on fundraising strategy with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, focusing on driving new funder engagement and developing long-term, high-impact partnerships
- Secure high-value, multi-year funding partnerships with major donors, trusts and foundations and corporates, achieving six-figure and above income targets
- Manage, develop and inspire a team of five, fostering a proactive, collaborative, innovative and high-performing culture
- Build and maintain a strong, diversified pipeline of new and repeat funders aligned to organisational priorities and ethical fundraising principles
- Engage senior stakeholders including the CEO, Chair, Trustees and senior partners to unlock networks and open opportunities
- Work closely with programme and delivery teams to create compelling funding propositions and ensure excellent stewardship and impactful reporting
- Represent the organisation at senior-level networking events, conferences and sector forums, influencing decision-makers and strengthening brand positioning
Essential skills and experience:
- Success in securing and growing income from a range of sources, including HNWIs and trusts and foundations — delivering six-figure and multi-year partnerships
- Skilled relationship builder with experience developing and stewarding complex, multifaceted partnerships that deliver mutual value and long-term impact
- Strong managerial skills to empower teams and support their professional development and enjoyment in their role
- Strategic business developer with the ability to build and maintain a strong pipeline of funding opportunities, identifying, cultivating, and converting prospects to meet fundraising targets
- Entrepreneurial and proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and the confidence to identify, shape, and present compelling cases for support
- Collaborative and influential, experienced in working across matrix structures and with remote or cross-functional teams to achieve shared goals, ensuring alignment and effective delivery
- Highly skilled communicator, comfortable presenting to diverse audiences and tailoring messages to inspire and engage at all levels
- Strong networker, eager to represent the organisation at events and conferences, identifying new opportunities, and staying informed on market trends and developments in the philanthropic and corporate partnership landscape
Desirable, but not essential:
- An understanding and general knowledge of the education landscape in the UK
- Experience of establishing or maintaining a Fellowship programme
Employee benefits include:
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Up to 15% employer pension contributions
- Private health care via Benenden Health plus Healthcare Cash Plan and Dental Plan
- Annual salary review
- Electric Car Benefit Scheme
Application by CV and answering the four screening questions.
It is not necessary to provide a cover letter at this stage. If you have any questions or wish for us to be aware of anything relating to the working arrangements or contract, please add to the notes section.
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