Group Head of Strategy, Research and Impact in Orpington

Working closely with the Group CEO and Executive Leadership Team, you will lead the development and delivery of Elevare’s long-term strategy, translating national and local policy into clear, mission-led opportunities across the Group. Based in the Chief Executive’s Office, you will shape and amplify Elevare’s civic narrative and reputation, producing compelling reports and impact statements that clearly demonstrate our performance and transformational impact across the communities served by the College, Trust and Foundation. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving strategy and strategic planning, research, policy, performance and impact.

You will embed evidence-informed decision-making and a culture of measurable impact, innovation and transformation to demonstrate continuous improvement. You will bring fresh thinking and innovation while remaining grounded in our values and aligned to national education and skills priorities. Acting as a trusted adviser, you will turn vision into delivery, insight into action, and evidence into sustained improvement, positioning Elevare as a nationally recognised civic education group. We are looking for someone with a genuine passion for education and public impact, who can shape strategy, influence thinking, and strengthen our reputation as a system and thought leader in the sector and beyond. The role ensures the Group is future-focused, research-led and able to clearly demonstrate its social, economic and educational impact across the College, Trust and Foundation.

About You (What we’re looking for)

• A senior leadership role responsible for enhancing Elevare’s national reputation and influence, leading strategy, impact reporting, policy and research, while driving delivery of the Group Strategy and PMO programmes through effective change, risk management and Board and Executive support.
• Proven senior leadership experience in strategy, research, policy and impact.
• Track record of leading organisational strategy, transformation and change.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex strategic, research and performance information into clear, concise and compelling narratives and presentations, tailored to a range of audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to turn insight into action.
• Experience of education policy, horizon scanning and identifying strategic opportunities.
• Expertise in impact measurement, evaluation and performance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of the education, skills or civic sector.
• Experience working with Boards, executive teams and external partners.
• Strong programme leadership and organisational planning capability.
• Ability to lead, develop and inspire high-performing teams.
• Values-driven, with a commitment to equality of opportunity and social mobility.

Qualifications:

• Essential: A degree (or equivalent professional qualification) in relevant subject.
• Desirable: Doctorate or Masters in relevant subject.

About Elevare Civic Education Group

For more than a decade we have cultivated our organisational identity and built deep roots in our communities—developing a strong reputation, first as a social enterprise and now as a civic organisation. Our civic mission is to transform lives through the power of learning—understanding, caring deeply, and making a positive impact on the lived experience of our students, staff, stakeholders, and communities. Our culture is grounded in the STARS framework—Stand Out, Teamwork, Accountable, Respectful—which defines the behaviours we expect and the leadership we champion across our Group.

Benefits

We offer a highly competitive benefits package, including excellent annual leave and a generous pension through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme depending on role. Additional benefits include:

• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual season ticket loan
• Access to the Discounts for Teachers portal
• Free Wi-Fi access in over 10,000 locations worldwide through Eduroam
• Access to our on-site gym at Bromley campus and discount at other local gyms
• Discounts in our in-house restaurants and on hair and beauty treatments

Equal Opportunities

London South East Colleges is fully committed to equality of opportunity and to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful working environment, free from discrimination and harassment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, parental status or marital or partnership status. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we guarantee an interview to applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact People Services at [email protected]. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we carry out social media checks on shortlisted candidates to assess suitability for working with children and young people. Our full Safeguarding policy can be found here. Because we work with children and vulnerable adults, all roles are exempt from Section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and, where relevant, a Children’s and/or Adult’s Barred List check. Any offer of employment may be withdrawn if these checks are unsatisfactory. Self-disclosure is required as part of the recruitment process, and failure to disclose relevant information or provide a DBS certificate is likely to result in withdrawal of an offer. Our DBS policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders is available on request. All appointments are also subject to verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with Home Office requirements. Original documentation will be required prior to commencement of employment.