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, generous leave, pension contributions, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education while making a real impact on leadership practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading professional development and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50613 - 50613 £ per year.
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'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 seek 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 Loughborough 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 professional development, ASCL empowers its team to make a meaningful impact in the education sector. Located in Leicester, the role offers the unique opportunity to influence leadership practices across the UK, all while enjoying the support of a dedicated and passionate team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager (Professional Development) in Loughborough
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a personal brand that highlights your skills and experience in professional development. Use platforms like LinkedIn to share insights, articles, or even your own projects. This will help you stand out and attract the right opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will not only boost your confidence but also show them you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. So, what are you waiting for? Get applying!
We think you need these skills to ace Manager (Professional Development) in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission and the role of Manager (Professional Development).
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Highlight your leadership experience and how you've inspired teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and develop a diverse team, so share examples that demonstrate your ability to lead effectively.
Be Data-Driven:Since we value analytical capability, include any relevant data or insights that showcase your decision-making process. Show us how you’ve used data to inform strategies and improve outcomes in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at ASCL
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Manager (Professional Development) and the impact it has on the education sector. Familiarise yourself with ASCL's mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and people management skills. Think about times when you've inspired teams or driven growth in a previous role. Be ready to discuss how you can motivate a diverse team of specialists at ASCL.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decisions, come prepared with examples of how you've used analytics in past roles. Discuss how you’ve monitored performance and made strategic decisions based on data insights.
✨Engage with Their Vision
ASCL is looking for someone who can bridge strategy and delivery. Be ready to discuss how you would develop and deliver a clear growth strategy for professional development services. Show enthusiasm for their mission and how you can contribute to it.
