We are seeking an inspirational leader to join our Trust on an interim basis, bringing both strategic expertise and a people-first approach. This is a unique opportunity for someone who can operate confidently at Board level while shaping a thriving culture across our organisation.
The focus during the tenure will include:
- Strategic leadership and development, including delivery of our EDI strategy.
- Leading on induction, training, and support to ensure colleagues feel welcomed and empowered.
- Driving policy review and development, embedding best practice.
- Promoting and strengthening a positive, inclusive culture across the Trust.
- Supporting the recruitment of Trustees.
- Providing line management for our excellent colleagues within the People Team.
- Developing and enhancing Trust Board reporting.
The successful candidate will be a trusted advisor who combines strong knowledge of employment law with the vision, empathy, and integrity needed to lead cultural and organisational change. You will be a confident strategist, able to set clear direction while empowering others to thrive.
We are looking for someone with:
- Proven experience operating at Trust Board or equivalent senior governance level.
- Strong knowledge of employment law, with the ability to advise strategically.
- A track record of shaping positive organisational culture and leading meaningful change.
- Experience in Talent Management — attracting, developing, and empowering a high-performing workforce.
- Expertise in shaping and delivering strategy across a multi-school trust or similarly complex organisation.
Culture is at the heart of everything we do. We are seeking someone who recognises its power to unite, motivate, and inspire both staff and pupils. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our Trust’s future — ensuring we grow with strength, purpose, and unity.
If you’re passionate about people, strategy, and creating lasting positive change, we would love to hear from you.
If you would like an informal discussion about working for Shaw Education Trust in this role, please contact Natalie Turner, Recruitment Manager in the first instance (see attachment for details)
We are a dynamic and growing family of Primary, Secondary, and Special Schools, proudly serving communities from Birmingham to Bury. Our mission is to unlock opportunity for every young person—whatever their background, ability, or starting point.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to their growth. Through high-quality training, apprenticeships, talent acceleration, and research opportunities, we empower our staff to thrive as skilled, confident professionals and we champion wellbeing, value every voice, and create a culture where you feel supported, motivated, and inspired to make a real difference.
You will join a collaborative network of schools where shared expertise and professional community fuel success. Every academy in our Trust has an equal voice, and every colleague plays a vital part in shaping tailored learning experiences that raise aspirations and build brighter futures.
At the heart of our work is a deep respect for the children and young adults we serve. We are proud to have high expectations of every student, preparing them for adulthood including further education, employment, or training in inclusive environments where integrity, equality, and opportunity thrive.
If you have the moral integrity, passion, and drive to help shape lives and create futures filled with promise, we would love you to join our incredible team.
Together, let’s make the remarkable happen.
Shaw Education Trust offer the following employee benefits with your Teaching or Support Staff employment:
- An excellent Local Government Pension Scheme (Support Staff) / Teachers Pension (Teaching Staff)
- Support Staff only based on working full time, all year - Generous holiday entitlement from your first day of employment (37 days holiday rising to 39 days after 5 years’ service including Bank Holidays)
- Trust Leadership Contacts based on working full time, all year - 41 days holiday including bank holidays, with a maximum of 16 days to be taken in term time and flexible working during school holiday times.
- Electric Car Scheme: Environmentally friendly vehicles with our electric car scheme.
- Access to Medicash Health & Wellbeing Plan: Enjoy health services designed to support your well-being.
- Free DiscountForTeachers Scheme for all staff (Support and Teaching), Exclusive discounts to save money with a wide selection of discounts and exclusive offers from hundreds of the biggest brands.
- Free Eye Tests
- Cycle to work scheme
- Access to our Institute of Education and fantastic opportunities to help you grow, contribute and flourish in your role and in the Trust.
We know our people are the key to our success and so we’re committed to ensuring the employment experience at Shaw Education Trust is a rewarding one.
Working hours: 37 hours a week, full time, all year
Contract type: FTC until December 2025 - (in the first instance, with potential for extension depending on the recruitment of the permanent post)
Location: SET Head Office located at Kidsgrove Secondary School site with School travel if required
Shaw Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment, click here to review Safeguarding and Pupil Protection Policy https://www.shaw-education.org.uk/our-trust/key-information
This position is subject to robust vetting procedures, including an online search for all shortlisted candidates, in line with our Trust’s commitment to safer recruitment.
An enhanced criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), formerly known as the CRB, is required. You will be asked to disclose all relevant unspent and, where applicable, unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions, and convictions.
Shaw Education Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer. We are fully committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection processes promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at every stage.
In accordance with our safer recruitment policy CVs alone will not be accepted.
We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date as we review applications on an on-going basis and interviews may be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, therefore, we encourage early applications.
Successful candidates will be subject to a fully Enhanced DBS check along with other relevant employment checks.