Associate Regional Director - North

Horizon Care & Education; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount programmes

Holiday trading scheme

Eco friendly car scheme

SmartTech scheme

Wellbeing Centre

Cycle to work

Job summary

Horizon Care & Education is seeking an Associate Regional Director to work with Regional Directors, transforming outcomes across North-region SEN schools through hands-on coaching and evidence-informed practice.

You will lead improvement efforts, develop leaders, and ensure robust quality assurance and compliance, traveling to our schools in the North region to translate strategy into measurable impact for students.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent.
• Significant senior leadership experience (e.g. Assistant/Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher or equivalent).
• Proven track record of leading school improvement with measurable impact on student outcomes.
• Strong expertise in curriculum, inclusion/SEND, behaviour, and assessment.
• Experience developing and line managing leaders at multiple levels.
• Deep understanding of Ofsted, ISS, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks.
• Skilled in analysing school data, planning strategically, and driving improvement.
• Confident coach, facilitator, and communicator with the ability to influence and build trust.

Responsibilities

• Lead school improvement across curriculum, teaching, inclusion, behaviour, and leadership.
• Support and develop senior and middle leaders through coaching, modelling, and CPD.
• Drive a transparent quality assurance framework aligned to Ofsted and ISS.
• Embed evidence-informed practice into classrooms.
• Monitor impact and ensure improvements are visible, sustained, and measurable.
• Provide leadership support to schools during periods of challenge or transition.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Coaching and development

Data-driven improvement

Ofsted/ISS knowledge

Strategic planning

Influencing and communication

Evidence-informed practice

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

QTS or equivalent

NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification

Postgraduate qualification in education or leadership

Job description

Location – Supporting our SEN Schools in the North, based in Rochdale, Oldham, Wigan & Stoke

Join Horizon Care & Education and play a pivotal role in transforming outcomes for young people. As Associate Regional Director, you’ll work alongside Regional Directors to turn our educational vision into consistently high-quality practice across schools, driving improvement where it matters most - in the classroom.

This is a highly visible, school-facing leadership role focused on raising standards, strengthening leadership at every level, and ensuring robust quality assurance and compliance. You will support schools through hands-on coaching, evidence-informed practice, and targeted development, helping translate strategy into measurable impact for students.

The job role will involve travel to our schools in the North region.

What you’ll do:

• Lead school improvement across curriculum, teaching, inclusion, behaviour, and leadership
• Support and develop senior and middle leaders through coaching, modelling, and CPD
• Drive a transparent quality assurance framework aligned to Ofsted and ISS
• Embed evidence-informed practice (including EEF research) into classrooms
• Monitor impact and ensure improvements are visible, sustained, and measurable
• Provide leadership support to schools during periods of challenge or transition

What we’re looking for:

An experienced senior school leader with a proven track record of improving outcomes, developing leaders, and delivering sustainable school improvement. You will bring credibility, resilience, and the ability to influence at all levels, alongside a deep understanding of inspection frameworks and evidence-informed practice.

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent
• Significant senior leadership experience (e.g. Assistant/Deputy Headteacher, Headteacher or equivalent)
• Proven track record of leading school improvement with measurable impact on student outcomes
• Strong expertise in curriculum, inclusion/SEND, behaviour, and assessment
• Experience developing and line managing leaders at multiple levels
• Deep understanding of Ofsted, ISS, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks
• Skilled in analysing school data, planning strategically, and driving improvement
• Confident coach, facilitator, and communicator with the ability to influence and build trust
• Resilient, adaptable, and committed to evidence-informed, transparent practice
• NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification
• Postgraduate qualification in education or leadership
• Experience designing and delivering CPD and leadership development programmes
• Experience preparing for inspection and working with external regulators
• Knowledge of earned autonomy models and sustainable improvement strategies
• Experience leading networks, peer reviews, or cross-school collaboration

One Horizon

We have recently launched OneHorizon which is a new platform designed for YOU which brings together the benefits, tools and resources to help you feel supported, valued and great at work!

The platform is designed to give you instant access to amazing employee benefits, company announcements, downloadable resources and documents as well as feedback surveys and our people directory.

You will benefit from Discount programmes, Holiday trading scheme, Eco friendly car scheme, SmartTech scheme, Wellbeing Centre and Cycle to work plus much more!

At Horizon, we are committed to equality, safeguarding, and the welfare of all young people. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references.

Be part of a team where your leadership makes a lasting difference

Closing date for this role will be the 6th October