Manager (Professional Development)

Manager (Professional Development) Leicester - Hybrid

home working, with UK travel £50,613

Make A Difference

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of professional development across the education sector. As Manager of ASCL PD, you will lead and grow a nationally recognised offer that directly supports school, college and trust leaders to thrive. By developing high-quality learning, development and consultancy services, you will influence leadership practice across the UK—helping education organisations navigate complexity, improve outcomes and deliver excellence for their communities.

Why This Role Matters

ASCL PD plays a critical role in strengthening the Association’s impact and reach. This position sits at the heart of our strategic ambitions—ensuring our professional development offer is innovative, financially sustainable, and a “go-to” choice for leaders across the sector. You will bridge strategy and delivery—aligning professional development with ASCL’s wider work, enhancing member value, and driving growth in a competitive market. You’ll play a key role in delivering ASCL’s mission: “Speaking on behalf of members. Acting on behalf of children and young people.”

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a confident and strategic leader who combines commercial awareness with a passion for education and professional learning. You will bring:

• Proven experience leading and developing professional development services or similar commercial offers
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire high-performing teams
• Financial acumen and experience managing budgets and growth strategies
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Strong analytical capability, using data and insight to inform decisions
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to work effectively across teams and stakeholders
• A commitment to delivering exceptional service and continuous improvement
• Experience of the education sector or working with boards or trustees is highly desirable.

What You’ll Be Doing

Strategic leadership

• Develop and deliver a clear growth strategy, including mission, vision, KPIs and commercial objectives
• Ensure ASCL PD strengthens and complements the wider ASCL offer

Business and financial management

• Lead budget planning and oversight, ensuring sustainability and growth
• Monitor performance through data, reporting and KPIs to inform strategic decisions

Programme development and delivery

• Expand and innovate PD products and services
• Oversee delivery of flagship events, including ASCL’s annual conference and leadership programmes

Leadership and team management

• Lead, motivate and develop a diverse team of specialists
• Manage a network of trainers and consultants
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture

Partnership and collaboration

• Work cross-functionally to deliver a compelling and differentiated offer
• Engage with marketing, policy and commercial teams to maximise impact and reach

Performance and continuous improvement

• Evaluate programme impact and refine services based on feedback and insight
• Drive efficiency, quality and innovation across all activity

What We Offer

ASCL is an equal opportunities employer and offers a very generous package of benefits including

• Flexible working: Flexible working from home with at least two days office based in Leicester.
• Generous leave: 33 days annual leave bank holidays
• Pension: 9% employer contribution
• Professional development: Ongoing training and peer support
• Expenses covered: Travel, home-working allowance, and equipment provided
• Inclusive culture: We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. We encourage applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

For this hybrid role the post-holder ideally would live within one hour of ASCL HQ. with a combination of working from home and being in-person at our Leicester HQ at least two days per week and travel across the UK as required. IT and telephone equipment will be provided. If you’re ready to lead a service that makes a real difference to education leaders and organisations across the UK, we would love to hear from you.

INTERESTED?

The closing date for application is 4pm on Monday 15 June 2026. Interviews will be held in-person, at ASCL HQ in Leicester on Monday 22 June 2026. Start date: Tuesday 1 September 2026 but dependent on individual circumstances.