Chief Executive, Independent Schools\' Bursars Association

ISBA has more than 1,300 members, including more than 60 international associate members with 20 staff. Its members range from smaller preparatory schools to large well-known senior schools, including both boarding and day schools, and co-educational and single sex. ISBA is a charitable company limited by guarantee and although it is the school and not the bursar who becomes a member of the association, it is usually the bursar or COO/DFO who is the school's main representative.

The Chief Executive reports to the Chair and will be ISBA’s principal spokesperson and point of contact with the Independent Schools Council (ISC) and other associations within the sector; and with government policy makers within education, the media and the Association’s UK and international membership.

The responsibilities can be broadly summarised into three areas:

• Executive: Managing the executive committee, leading the organisation day to day and acting as Company Secretary.
• Member Services: Overall accountability for the operation and development of the work of the Executive Committee and their teams across each of ISBA’s core services for members: membership support; Advice and Guidance; Professional Development; Conference and commercial and recruitment.
• Representation: A crucial outward facing role that includes representing the Association on the ISC board and various committees internally and, where appropriate, those of the Government or its agencies; responding to changes in Government policy, legislation and regulation affecting independent schools; exploring opportunities for income generation and wider opportunities for ISBA through engagement with commercial organisations/stakeholders/wider partners; acting as the media focus for the Association.

The Candidate

The successful candidate is likely to demonstrate all or most of the following:

• A strong moral compass and a consistent sense of what is right, being unafraid of challenging practices that are not in keeping with the values of ISBA and its charitable objects, ensuring that those values of service to members are evident at all times.
• Clear commitment to the ongoing role and value of independent education.
• Staff management, and leading a senior team in a supportive and challenging way.
• Financial acumen, including organisation-wide budgeting and a working understanding of balance sheets and management information, and an understanding of the role of a company secretary.
• A well-developed sense of commerciality to explore new revenue streams.
• Confidence in media and communication, alongside an understanding of the need to represent the collective needs of ISBA.
• Excellent communicator who can inspire and motivate a team and key stakeholders, both verbally and through written work.
• Strong networker and skilled interpersonally, with evident diplomatic skills; the ability and willingness to promote the organisation at every opportunity.
• Confident leader and manager, with the ability to listen and to understand the perspectives of others, especially when they differ from your own.
• A team player and builder, committed to professional development of all members of the ISBA team.

ISBA have engaged Wild Search to advise them on this appointment. To discuss this role in confidence please contact Edward Wild by email: isba@wildsearch.org. To apply, please visit our website via the button below. Deadline 12 January 2026. Please be aware that by contacting Wild Search about this role, or applying, your data will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.