SEND Director

About Us

Supporting Education Group is a leading provider of services, qualifications, and resources aimed at improving educational outcomes for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Our mission is to empower schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), Local Authorities (LAs), and educational leaders to support and nurture students with SEND, ensuring they thrive in their educational journey.

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic SEND Director to raise our profile in this area and guide the future of SEND services at Supporting Education Group. The role will encompass a broad range of activities, including SEND networking, PR and events, strategic SEND consultancy with MAT, government and LA clients, SEND service design, business development, policy, and leading collaborations with key stakeholders and partners.

This role blends SEND education expertise with entrepreneurial drive, where you will use your sector knowledge, leadership experience, and network of connections to move forward solutions for SEND provision across the UK.

While our Group HQ is based in London, we are flexible on location as work will be a true mix of working from the office, home and attending meetings and events with schools and partner organisations.

Leadership & Strategy:

• Jointly lead the strategy for SEND services, setting and driving the vision, and strategic priorities in alignment with Supporting Education Group\’s overarching goals.
• Play a key role in the creation of new SEND services that meet the needs of pupils, schools and education funding.

Networking, Public Relations & Events:

• Act as the face of Supporting Education Group in the SEND sector, representing the company at industry events, webinars, conferences, and through written articles.
• Develop and execute strategies to raise the profile of Supporting Education Group in the SEND sector through networks with school groups, government organisations and SEND partner organisations, events, public speaking, and thought leadership content.

Service & Business Development:

• Act as the SEG Strategic SEND Advisor, identifying and undertaking SEND strategy work with LAs, MATs, Early Years Groups, International School Groups and Government.
• Lead the development and growth of SEND services, qualifications, and products in response to the latest educational trends and needs of schools, MATs, LAs, and government.
• Collaborate with internal teams to design new services and solutions that address emerging challenges in the SEND sector.
• Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to identify new business opportunities, including partnerships, collaborations, and service offerings, ensuring alignment with Supporting Education Group\’s mission and goals.

Policy & Networking:

• Establish and maintain relationships with partner organisations, policy makers, and stakeholders within education, government, and the SEND community.
• Proactively identify and engage in policy discussions to ensure Supporting Education Group is at the forefront of SEND developments.
• Collaborate with governmental and educational bodies to contribute insights and data to SEND policy, and contribute to consultations and proposals.

Proposal Development:

• Lead specialist input to SEND-related bids, ensuring they are compelling, well-designed, and deliverable.
• Create proactive proposals to government and other key stakeholders, offering solutions that meet current and future needs in SEND education.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Extensive experience in the SEND sector, with a proven track record in leadership roles within a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), Local Authority (LA), or similar educational setting.
• Well-connected within the SEND sector, with a network of strong relationships with decision-makers, policy influencers, and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience in public relations, business development, and service development in the education sector.
• Proven ability to lead successful bids and proposals, with a focus on SEND services, educational products, or government initiatives.
• A deep understanding of SEND policy, current challenges, and trends affecting schools, MATs, and LAs.
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to innovate and create new business opportunities in the education space.

Desirable Skills & Attributes:

• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to speak confidently at conferences, webinars, and in written formats.
• Experience in service design, product development, and innovation within the education sector.
• A proactive and strategic mindset, with the ability to anticipate trends and opportunities in the SEND space and develop successful services.
• Strong leadership abilities, with a focus on building and nurturing cross-functional teams and driving collaboration.

Our Benefits

• 28 days holiday and get an extra day for each year you stay with us, up to max 33 days PLUS bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance, once you\’ve passed probation, which includes access to a private GP
• From day 1, free life insurance covering up to x4 your salary
• We\’ll both add money into your pension pot after 3 months
• Choose what flexible benefits you want after you\’ve passed probation – this could be buying extra holiday, dental, topping up your healthcare plan, bikes, gym membership, electric cars and give as you earn
• Learning and development opportunities
• Volunteer days – 3 paid volunteer days a year, with 2 dedicated to Education
• Performance based bonus and an opportunity to participate in an EBT share scheme

Why Join Supporting Education Group?

• Impact: You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of SEND services across the UK, helping to create a lasting impact on educational outcomes for students with SEND.
• Growth Opportunities: This is a unique opportunity to build and lead a new SEND business unit, developing innovative services and solutions with an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Collaboration: Work alongside a passionate, driven team of professionals dedicated to improving SEND provision for schools, MATs, LAs, and beyond.