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 opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy a collaborative culture while driving positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education by shaping leadership practices and outcomes.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in professional development and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Leicester - Hybrid + home working, with UK travel
Make A Difference
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 ambitions—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’re 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.
Professional Development Manager in Leicester employer: Association of School and College Leaders
ASCL is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its employees while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and a commitment to ongoing training, ASCL empowers its team to thrive in their roles, making a meaningful impact on education across the UK from its Leicester headquarters.
Contact Details:
Association of School and College Leaders Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Professional Development Manager 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. 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 LinkedIn to share insights, articles, or even your own thoughts on leadership in education. This will help you stand out when applying through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand ASCL’s mission and think about 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
Follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how you can contribute to ASCL’s success.
We think you need these skills to ace Professional Development Manager in Leicester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in professional development and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with our mission and the specific requirements of the role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use data and examples to demonstrate how you've positively impacted previous organisations. This will help us see your potential to drive growth and innovation at ASCL.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is not only qualified but also passionate about education. Share your motivations and what excites you about this opportunity!
Apply Through Our Website:For a smooth application process, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Association of School and College Leaders
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Professional Development Manager and the specific challenges faced in 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 demonstrate your leadership and people management abilities. Think about times when you've inspired teams or driven growth in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decisions, come prepared with examples of how you've used analytics in past projects. This could include monitoring performance metrics or refining services based on feedback.
✨Engage and Collaborate
Highlight your collaborative approach by discussing how you've worked cross-functionally in the past. Be ready to share experiences where you’ve engaged with different teams to deliver impactful results, as this is key for the role.
