At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead negotiations and influence change for school and college leaders' rights.
- Company: Join a respected professional body and trade union for education leaders.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, pension contributions, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel across England and Wales; inclusive culture welcoming all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of education leaders across the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in industrial relations, strong negotiation skills, and strategic thinking.
The predicted salary is between 68602 - 68602 £ per year.
£68,602 per annum + excellent benefits.
Home-based with travel to meetings/training across the country as required.
Full time, permanent.
Lead negotiations. Influence change. Protect and strengthen the voice of school and college leaders.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly influential function, shape national industrial relations activity and make a lasting difference to the professional lives of school and college leaders.
As our Head of Industrial Relations, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that school and college leaders have a strong and influential voice in shaping their pay, conditions and working environment. Leading our industrial relations and collective bargaining function, you will help safeguard members' rights, secure positive outcomes through negotiation, and strengthen our position as the leading professional body and trade union for education leaders. Your expertise will directly contribute to improving the working lives of members across the UK while ensuring the organisation remains legally compliant, strategically focused and highly respected within the sector.
We're seeking an experienced industrial relations, trade union or HR professional with a proven track record of leading successful negotiations at a senior level. You will bring substantial experience of collective bargaining, strong leadership capabilities, and a deep understanding of employment relations within complex organisations. You'll be a strategic thinker, an influential communicator and a confident relationship-builder who can work effectively with employers, trade unions, members and external stakeholders. A commitment to trade union principles, combined with the credibility to work alongside experienced school and college leaders, will be essential to your success in this role.
You will lead and develop the Industrial Relations team, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, consistent service to members nationwide. Working closely with employer groups, trade unions and local representatives, you will oversee negotiations, represent members at key joint negotiating committees, resolve disputes, and help secure the best possible terms, conditions and benefits for members. You will also provide strategic advice across the organisation, ensure compliance with relevant legislation and trade union requirements, support the development of local representatives, and contribute to the organisation's broader industrial relations strategy.
ASCL is an equal opportunities employer and offers a very generous package of benefits including:
- Flexible working: A combination of working from home, attending external meetings and events and being in-person at our Leicester HQ as necessary.
- 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.
This is a home-based role with travel across England and Wales to meetings and events as required. Reasonable travel expenses, IT and telephone equipment will be provided.
If you're ready to lead a team that makes a real difference to education leaders and organisations across the UK, we would love to hear from you.
The closing date for application is 4pm on Wednesday 5 August 2026. Interviews will be held in-person, at ASCL HQ in Leicester on Wednesday 19 August 2026. Start date: Tuesday 1 December 2026 but dependent on individual circumstances.
To apply, follow the link on the 'Apply here' button above. From there, please complete your email address in the top right-hand box and click on the green 'Apply Now' button and follow the online application process. If you have any queries, please contact Angela Stewart, Workplace and Facilities Manager in the first instance on 0116 299 1122.
Head of Policy, Sustainability and Inclusion in Loughborough employer: ASCL
ASCL is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Industrial Relations function while making a significant impact on the professional lives of school and college leaders across the UK. With a flexible working environment, generous leave, and a strong commitment to professional development, employees are supported in their growth and well-being. The inclusive culture fosters collaboration and respect, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute meaningfully.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Policy, Sustainability and Inclusion in Loughborough
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by ASCL.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like ASCL.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at ASCL.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at ASCL. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Policy, Sustainability and Inclusion in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of ASCL. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Policy, Sustainability and Inclusion, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at ASCL
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of ASCL. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
