Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the network team to enhance career pathways for students.
- Company: Dynamic educational organisation focused on student success.
- Benefits: Permanent role with hybrid working and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to safeguarding and promoting youth welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' futures by guiding them to high-quality destinations.
- Qualifications: Experience in careers advice, leadership, and stakeholder engagement required.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 65000 £ per year.
Reports to: Director of Sixth Form
Start date: August or September 2026
Location: Currently operating hybrid working in our West London office
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Interviews will take place 21st & 22nd May 2026
The purpose of this role is to lead our network team and our schools in the next phase of our work on careers and destinations. You will build on our network strategy, oversee further codification and implementation of principles and approaches that ensure all Ark leavers, whether post-16 or post-18, are ready to progress to high-quality destinations that facilitate their career of choice.
Key Responsibilities:
- Curate and develop the messaging, goals and objectives for all destinations work within the Sixth Form and Destinations Team
- Develop strong working relationships at senior level across Ark, seeking out opportunities for collaboration and solving areas of tension or challenge
- Further develop our destinations strategy across all phases in primary and secondary, within our Sixth Form & Destinations Strategy, with particular focus on work in KS3 to KS5
- Build and maintain strong relationships with RDs, Principals and SLT responsible for destinations and CEIAG
- Maintain project plans for new initiatives: managing the research, pilot, launch and implementation phases of each
Knowledge & Skills:
- Knowledge of Gatsby Benchmarks and DfE expectations around careers advice and guidance for young people
- Experience & knowledge of post-18 destinations advice and guidance, gained from leadership of staff in a school or college context (or equivalent experience in the education sector)
- Line management and/or coaching experience, and experience of developing staff
- Experience of basic finance processes including budgeting and financial planning and successfully developing strategy and vision
- Experience of working with and influencing a range of senior stakeholders (e.g. Principals, Regional Directors or equivalent)
Qualification Criteria:
- Educated to degree level
- QTS (Desirable)
- Right to work in the U.K.
Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.
Head of Destinations employer: Ark Schools
Contact Detail:
Ark Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Destinations
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the education sector! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with interviewers or network contacts, make sure to highlight your knowledge of Gatsby Benchmarks and DfE expectations. Share examples from your experience that demonstrate how you've successfully guided students towards high-quality destinations.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Interviews are your time to shine! Research the organisation thoroughly and come prepared with questions that show your interest in their destinations strategy. Think about how your vision aligns with theirs and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Destinations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Destinations role. Highlight your experience with careers advice and guidance, especially in relation to the Gatsby Benchmarks and DfE expectations. We want to see how your skills align with our goals!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your line management and coaching experience. Share specific examples of how you've developed staff or influenced senior stakeholders in your previous roles. We love seeing real-life impacts!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application is seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ark Schools
✨Know Your Gatsby Benchmarks
Make sure you brush up on the Gatsby Benchmarks and DfE expectations around careers advice. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you understand the landscape of careers guidance and can lead the team effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your leadership experience, especially in managing staff or developing strategies in an educational context. Highlight how you've influenced senior stakeholders and navigated challenges in previous roles.
✨Build Relationships Before You Start
Think about how you can build strong working relationships with key stakeholders at Ark. Be ready to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you would tackle any potential areas of tension within the team.
✨Have a Vision for Destinations Strategy
Come prepared with ideas on how to further develop the destinations strategy across all phases. Show that you have a clear vision and practical steps for implementing it, particularly focusing on the transition from KS3 to KS5.