SAT Chief Executive Officer

Vacancy: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: from £135,000 per annum

Start date: September 2025

EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO GO TO A GREAT SCHOOL

Due to the forthcoming retirement of our CEO, Saffron Academy Trust seeks a committed and passionate CEO to embrace our Vision, Values and Ethos and build on our strong foundations already in place. Our new CEO will provide inspirational, strategic and professional leadership which will ensure the continuing development and success of the Trust and its academies as places of transformational learning with a reputation for high standards across all aspects of its work.

Responsible for the improvement of educational standards, equality of access, achievement for all and effective use of resources across the academies, the CEO will seek to further develop and deliver the vision and the aims of the Trust to create a platform for high standards of learning for all.

We are a growing trust. We are currently a family of three secondary schools, one all-through school and five primary schools, serving more than 6500 students and employing 1000 staff, with a total income in excess of £45m. The CEO will shape the evolution of the Trust as it seeks to build on its initial successes in bringing schools together to address disadvantages and to achieve outstanding outcomes for all pupils. The CEO will explore local growth opportunities in both the primary and secondary sectors.

The successful candidate will possess:

• A strong track record in successful leadership of a school or MAT including the delivery of an outstanding education for pupils whilst providing excellent development opportunities for staff.
•  Strategic leadership credibility, with the ability to engage and lead an organisation in a way that is authentic, collaborative, and robust.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of financial management and operational systems to ensure sustainability at school and trust levels.
• A proven ability to work with the Board of Trustees, Local Governing Bodies, Headteachers and others to continue to deliver the Trust’s vision whilst demonstrating commitment to our values.
• A passion for education and the role our schools play in challenging and improving the opportunities and outcomes for our pupils.
• The ability to network and engage at a local and national level for the benefit of the Trust.

The role provides a very real opportunity to lead the strategic direction of our Trust. The new CEO will be supported by a strong, committed Central Team, Board of Trustees and Members, whilst at school level we have a strong governance structure and highly skilled Headteachers.

Application forms should be completed electronically or sent as a scanned document to Mrs Jackie King (HR Manager) at: hr@saffron.academy Should you experience any technical problems, please do not hesitate to contact Jackie King via the above email address or at Saffron Walden County High School: 01799 513030.
If you would like to arrange an informal conversation with a Trustee and/or the outgoing CEO prior to application, or to arrange a visit to our Central Services offices or to one of our schools, please contact Mrs Jackie King (HR Manager) at hr@saffron.academy or on 01799 513030.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 2nd October 2024 @ 10am

Interviews: Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th October 2024

^{Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check. Saffron Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.}