Careers and Ambition Lead

Shorefields; Epping Forest; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PD tracks

Career progression

Flexible working

Staff wellbeing

Job summary

King Harold Academy is seeking a proactive Careers & Ambition Lead to transform our whole-school careers landscape. This hybrid post requires orchestration of culture, 1:1 guidance, and elite work-related opportunities across KS3 and KS4.

The role includes opportunities for advanced training tracks (including pathways toward the Level 6 Careers Diploma) and scaling into an elite leader with strong emotional intelligence and a passion for social mobility.

Qualifications

• Aligned with our values and mission to transform careers landscape.
• Strong ability to provide high-level, impactful personal guidance across KS3 and KS4.
• Proven track record in building premium partnerships with local businesses and work-related learning.
• Growth-oriented with resilience and a commitment to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Transform the school careers landscape and strategy.
• Deliver high-level guidance across KS3 and KS4 to students.
• Build and manage partnerships with local businesses for work-related learning.
• Drive culture and leadership development within the school.

Skills

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Career guidance

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

DBS process

Job description

Job Ref No. ECC5415-307S Position Type: Administration Pay Range: 30,794-33,901

Position Start Date: 01/11/2026 Contract Type: Full-time/Part-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 12/10/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: w/c 12th October 2026

Responsible to: Assistant Headteacher - Personal Development

King Harold Academy (KHA) has a clear, ambitious vision: to be one of the kindest, hardest-working, and highest-achieving schools in the UK. We are a proud community school supported by incredible students, involved parents, and a talented, committed staff.

Why Join KHA?

KHA is a genuinely lovely place to work. Our staff are deeply committed to one another's professional development and to improving our pupils' life chances. We have the privilege of teaching polite, friendly, and ambitious children who enjoy school and value their teachers.

What our teachers say:

• "KHA is an amazing place to work. It truly is a place where everyone demonstrates kindness, hard work, and ambition."
• "Leaders look after the best interests of both staff and students... even when the weather is awful, I look forward to my day here."
• "Working here feels like being part of one big family."

The Role:

Careers & Ambition Lead
We are seeking an enthusiastic, strategic, and proactive Careers & Ambition Lead to completely transform our whole-school careers landscape. At King Harold Academy, Ambition is our driving core value. This role is a unique hybrid post designed for a professional who can orchestrate high-level culture, deliver transformative 1:1 guidance, and coordinate elite work-related opportunities.

Investing in Potential: We are looking for an individual with the foundational skills and experience to deliver excellent careers advice. Crucially, we also want to provide a brilliant opportunity for a candidate with great potential. If you possess a hunger to grow, exceptional emotional intelligence, and passion for driving social mobility, we will invest heavily in your development-supporting you with advanced training tracks (including pathways toward the Level 6 Careers Diploma) to scale into an elite leader.

The successful candidate will be:

• Aligned with our values: Kind, hard-working, and unapologetically ambitious.
• An Inspiring Advisor: Able to conduct high-level, impactful personal guidance across KS3 and KS4.
• An Operational Connector: Driven to build premium partnerships with local businesses, organizing exceptional work-related learning.
• Growth-Oriented: Resilient, solutions-focused, and keen to develop their professional practice.

Benefits of TKAT

As part of The Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), you will benefit from:

• Excellent professional development and tailored support tracks.
• Opportunities for career progression across the Trust network.
• Flexible working options and a deep focus on staff wellbeing.

Closing date: Monday 12th October (early applications accepted)

Safeguarding & Equality

TKAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children; all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check. We welcome applications from all candidates and support full-time, part-time, or flexible working. King Harold Academy is committed to the protection and safety of its students and the successful candidate will be subject to DBS, Barred List and two reference checks as part of the School's Safeguarding Procedures. The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post in accordance with the Immigration Act 2016.

Information about the School

King Harold is a vibrant 11-16 mixed comprehensive school where each student is valued. The school is part of the Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), whose aims are to raise achievement and establish best teaching practices as an “Accredited Schools Group”.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

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Michaela Campbell
Broomstick Hall Road, Waltham Abbey
Essex, EN9 1LF Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]