At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate professional development services for education leaders across the UK.
- Company: ASCL, a key player in the education sector with a focus on professional growth.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 33 days leave, generous pension, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education while shaping future leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading professional development and strong leadership skills.
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 ambition 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 will 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 are 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.
Manager (Professional Development) in Leicester employer: ASCL
ASCL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a generous benefits package including flexible working arrangements, extensive annual leave, and a strong commitment to ongoing training, ASCL empowers its team to make a meaningful impact in the education sector from its Leicester headquarters. Join us to lead innovative professional development initiatives that support school and college leaders across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager (Professional Development) in Leicester
✨Tip Number 1
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 or mentors on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your leadership and strategic skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Manager position and to remind them of your key strengths.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest opportunities listed there, and it’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in professional development.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager (Professional Development) in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Manager (Professional Development) role. Highlight your experience in leading professional development services and how it aligns with our mission at ASCL.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see your strong leadership and people management skills shine through. Share specific examples of how you've inspired high-performing teams and driven growth in previous roles.
Demonstrate Financial Acumen:Since this role involves budget management, be sure to include any relevant experience you have with financial planning and growth strategies. We love seeing candidates who can balance commercial awareness with a passion for education.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make a difference in the education sector.
How to prepare for a job interview at ASCL
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into ASCL's mission and values. Understand their professional development offerings and how they align with the education sector. This will help you articulate how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams and developed professional services in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire high-performing teams and manage budgets effectively, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role requires strong analytical skills, come prepared with insights from your previous experiences. Discuss how you've used data to inform decisions and improve outcomes in your past roles, showcasing your financial acumen.
✨Engage and Collaborate
Demonstrate your collaborative approach by discussing how you've worked cross-functionally in previous positions. Be ready to share examples of how you've engaged with various stakeholders to deliver impactful programmes and services.
