At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead growth strategies to transform education and support schools across England.
- Company: Join United Learning, a dynamic group dedicated to improving children's education.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days holiday, pension scheme, and tailored professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we value work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and help shape the future of education.
- Qualifications: Proven project management experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Location: Central Office - London
United Learning is a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England. Central Office staff work closely with schools, offering a wealth of expertise to underpin schools' own knowledge. Our specialist departments, including HR, finance, technology, strategy and performance, estates, and marketing, work alongside dedicated school improvement teams. By joining us, you will provide ongoing support to schools, ultimately improving the outcomes of our pupils.
United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.
We are seeking a Head of Growth to lead the delivery of United Learning’s continued growth as an organisation, transforming education in more communities and benefiting more children and young people across England. You will be responsible and accountable for all aspects of growth strategy delivery and for ensuring positive outcomes for new joining schools (pupils, staff, parents and wider communities) and for the organisation as a whole.
You will work with a team of specialist colleagues across United Learning’s central teams – school improvement, finance, HR, technology – to ensure that robust plans are in place throughout the process, ensuring that each school has the support it needs to thrive as part of the Group. You will ensure that schools have a positive experience at all stages, from the point of their first contact with United Learning through to joining the organisation and beyond. You will often be the first point of contact, explaining to school leaders and governors the benefits of being part of United Learning and what to expect throughout the process.
You will also oversee implementation of United Learning’s strategy for growing local ‘clusters’ of schools, enabling schools to benefit from meaningful local educational collaboration and from high quality and efficient support services that represent excellent value for money.
About You
We are seeking someone with proven experience of managing complex projects and delivering to tight timescales, combined with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills. You will have an eye for detail and be able to spot and work with others to resolve potential issues, often dealing with novel situations. You will be confident providing advice to senior leaders – including Trustees and members of the Executive Team – combining leadership of our strategic aims with disciplined operational management.
You will be a skilled communicator and be able to build effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders with different professional backgrounds and experience, in schools and our central teams. Your commitment to providing excellent service to schools – from those that are simply exploring their options to those that are in the process of joining United Learning – to promoting a culture of continuous improvement and to bringing out the best in your team will shape the approach you take to your work.
If you are passionate about improving outcomes for children, young people, their families and the communities they live in, are interested in joining a team that shares your passion, and meet the person specification, we are open to offering the role as a secondment and are particularly keen to receive applications from individuals from backgrounds currently under-represented in our senior leadership cadre.
Rewards and Benefits:
- Contributory pension scheme.
- 26 days holiday.
- Occupational sick pay, protecting you and your family.
- Competitive maternity, paternity, and adoption benefits.
- Group Life Insurance Scheme.
- Westfield Health cash plan and extensive range of employee benefits for eligible staff.
- Continuous Professional Development options that will be tailored to your needs.
- A supportive team across the country.
We are open to requests for flexible working; and we encourage open and regular conversations about work-life balance.
This vacancy closes at midnight on 30 September. Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a large volume of applications.
Head of Growth employer: United Learning
United Learning is an outstanding employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a unique opportunity to lead the Level 5 HR Apprenticeship Programme from the comfort of your home. With a strong emphasis on flexible working arrangements, a collaborative work culture, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the education sector, this role not only fosters professional advancement but also allows you to inspire the next generation of HR professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Growth
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like United Learning.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like United Learning.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Growth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to United Learning.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of United Learning. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Learning
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with United Learning, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at United Learning, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for United Learning could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at United Learning as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
