At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and delivery of our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy.
- Company: Join the Girls' Day School Trust, a leading network of independent girls' schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, professional development, and generous pension schemes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on creating an inclusive culture for future generations.
- Qualifications: Strong knowledge of EDI legislation and experience in leading EDI initiatives.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive community dedicated to empowering girls.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Overview
Employer: Girls' Day School Trust (GDST)
Location: London, Greater London
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: Trust Office Grade 3, £60,000 - £70,000
Posted: 20th January 2026
Start Date: As Soon As Possible
Expires: 10th February 2026 10:00 AM
Job ID: 1530348
What You’ll Be Doing
Reporting to the Deputy Director of People & Culture, you will lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of the GDST’s EDI strategy, ensuring it is meaningfully embedded across organisational culture, policies, people processes and ways of working. You will act as a trusted subject-matter expert and adviser to colleagues, senior leaders and governors across the Trust, providing strategic guidance and professional challenge on complex and sensitive EDI-related matters. The role works closely with People & Culture and Innovation & Learning colleagues and provides strategic oversight to the Trust Consultant Teacher (EDI), ensuring strong alignment between organisational EDI priorities and curriculum-focused activity.
What skills and experience you’ll bring to the role
- Strong specialist knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion legislation, good practice and emerging issues
- Experience of designing and delivering EDI development sessions and facilitating staff forums to support an inclusive workplace
- Proven experience of leading or partnering on EDI strategy and initiatives within a complex organisation
- Credibility and confidence in advising and influencing senior leaders
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive issues with integrity
- Experience of using data and insight to inform decision-making and action planning
Who We Are
The Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) is the UK’s leading group of 23 independent girls’ schools and two academies across England and Wales. We educate around 19,000 students and employ 4,000 staff, all united for a shared purpose: to help girls learn without limits, so they can go on to lead lives without limits and make the world a better place for us all.
The Organisation’s Values Serve As Guiding Principles
- We put girls first
- We think and act fearlessly
- We embrace a forward-thinking mindset that shapes the educational offer for girls
- We are a family of schools
- We provide careers that are fulfilling and purposeful for our staff
Why join us
Benefits
As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:
- Competitive salaries and pay progression
- Access to extensive professional development opportunities
- Training grants for qualifications
- A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools
- Generous pension schemes
- Free life assurance benefit
- Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans
- A Cycle to Work scheme
- Competitive terms and conditions of employment
There are many other good reasons to work with us. Each of our schools and our Trust Office has its own sense of community, and you’ll be part of it. You’ll be in the company of some of the best and brightest people in independent education. Most importantly, no matter what your role, you’ll be playing a major part in the highly regarded education we give our girls.
Our commitment
The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change. We want every colleague to feel valued, respected and supported, and we actively welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.
Safeguarding Statement
The Girls’ Day School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager employer: GDST (The Girls' Day School Trust)
Contact Detail:
GDST (The Girls' Day School Trust) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the education sector, especially those involved in EDI. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for EDI during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. This will not only highlight your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to creating an inclusive environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewers. Ask about their current EDI initiatives and how they measure success. This shows you’re genuinely interested in their work and helps you assess if their values align with yours.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at GDST, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As an EDI Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to navigate sensitive issues and build relationships. A well-structured application can really show us your communication prowess!
Highlight Your Strategic Experience: We’re looking for someone who can lead and influence EDI strategies. Be sure to include examples of your past experiences where you’ve successfully implemented EDI initiatives or provided strategic guidance. This will help us see your potential impact at GDST.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at GDST (The Girls' Day School Trust)
✨Know Your EDI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest equality, diversity, and inclusion legislation and best practices. Being able to discuss current trends and challenges in EDI will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the subject.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples of how you've designed and delivered EDI initiatives in previous roles. Think about times when you've influenced senior leaders or facilitated staff forums, as these experiences will be key to demonstrating your capability for this role.
✨Communicate with Confidence
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since you'll be advising senior leaders, it's crucial to convey your ideas effectively, especially when navigating sensitive issues. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your delivery.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you've used data and insights to inform your EDI strategies in the past. This could involve sharing examples of how you've analysed data to identify gaps or measure the impact of initiatives, which is vital for this role.