Chief Executive Officer

Shorefields; Basildon; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Basildon Academies Trust is seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to guide the organisation through the next development phase following a period of growth. The role reports to the Board of Trustees and leads both academies to secure excellence in teaching, safeguarding, and outcomes for students.

You will drive strategic change, build the workforce, and ensure financial sustainability, engaging with staff, students, parents and external partners to deliver ambitious plans for the

Qualifications

• Has a proven record of successful senior leadership within education
• Demonstrates a relentless commitment to improving outcomes, inclusion, and life chances for young people
• Has significant experience of strategic planning, organisational improvement, organisational growth and leading sustainable change across complex educational organisations
• Has experience of developing strategic partnerships, collaborations and growth opportunities that strengthen organisational capacity and improve outcomes for young people
• Demonstrates strong system leadership, working beyond their own organisation to influence educational improvement across local, regional and national networks
• Understands the importance of inclusion, safeguarding and removing barriers to achievement.
• Can lead and inspire a talented workforce whilst promoting wellbeing, professional growth and accountability
• Has strong financial, operational and governance expertise
• Builds positive relationships and partnerships at local, regional and national levels
• Has the vision and influence to position The Basildon Academies Trust for future success and sustainable development
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and public service consistent with the Nolan Principles

Responsibilities

• Working in partnership with the Board of Trustees, the successful candidate will provide inspirational leadership across all aspects of the Trust's work.
• They will secure educational excellence, drive continuous improvement, ensure financial sustainability, develop an exceptional workforce and strengthen the Trust's role within the local community and wider education sector.
• As Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of educational performance, governance, compliance, financial stewardship and public accountability.
• They will lead the Executive Team and work collaboratively with Trustees, staff, students, parents and external partners to deliver the Trust's strategic ambitions.

Skills

Senior leadership in education

Strategic planning

Partnership development

Governance experience

Financial stewardship

Job description

Position Start Date: 01/01/2027 Contract Type: Full-time Contract Term: Permanent

Application Close: 28/09/2026 Midnight Date of Interviews: 12th and13th October 2026

Due to the retirement of our current Chief Executive Officer, The Basildon Academies Trust is seeking an exceptional leader to guide our organisation through the next stage of its development and success. This is a rare opportunity to lead a distinctive and ambitious trust that is committed to transforming the lives of young people through high-quality education.

Contract: Full time, Permanent

Responsible to: Chair of Trustees

The Trust comprises two specialist secondary academies serving the Basildon community. Our unique structure enables dedicated provision for Key Stage 3 students at the Lower Academy and for Key Stages 4 and 5 students at the Upper Academy, ensuring focused support throughout every stage of a young person's educational journey. In recent years, the Trust has experienced significant growth in student numbers and staffing and secured substantial CIF funding delivering transformational improvements to learning environments, specialist provision, and educational facilities across our academies.

Our vision of Success Beyond Circumstance underpins everything we do. We are committed to ensuring every student attends, engages, and succeeds through high-quality teaching, a strong culture for learning, inclusive practice, and early intervention. This commitment is demonstrated through significant investment in specialist support, including Engage, our enhanced provision centre, Bridge, our SEND provision centres, and Evolve, a Local Authority-funded partnership providing cross-phase support for vulnerable young people across the wider community.

Working in partnership with the Board of Trustees, the successful candidate will provide inspirational leadership across all aspects of the Trust's work. They will secure educational excellence, drive continuous improvement, ensure financial sustainability, develop an exceptional workforce and strengthen the Trust's role within the local community and wider education sector.

As Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer, the post holder will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of educational performance, governance, compliance, financial stewardship and public accountability. They will lead the Executive Team and work collaboratively with Trustees, staff, students, parents and external partners to deliver the Trust's strategic ambitions.

We are seeking a leader who:

• Has a proven record of successful senior leadership within education
• Demonstrates a relentless commitment to improving outcomes, inclusion, and life chances for young people
• Has significant experience of strategic planning, organisational improvement, organisational growth and leading sustainable change across complex educational organisations
• Has experience of developing strategic partnerships, collaborations and growth opportunities that strengthen organisational capacity and improve outcomes for young people
• Demonstrates strong system leadership, working beyond their own organisation to influence educational improvement across local, regional and national networks
• Understands the importance of inclusion, safeguarding and removing barriers to achievement.
• Can lead and inspire a talented workforce whilst promoting wellbeing, professional growth and accountability
• Has strong financial, operational and governance expertise
• Builds positive relationships and partnerships at local, regional and national levels
• Has the vision and influence to position The Basildon Academies Trust for future success and sustainable development
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and public service consistent with the Nolan Principles

This is an opportunityto make a lasting difference to the lives of young people and the wider community. You will be supported by a committed Board of Trustees, a skilled leadership team and dedicated staff who are united by a shared belief that every child deserves an exceptional education.

The successful candidate will build upon strong foundations and shape the future strategic direction of the Trust, ensuring that The Basildon Academies Trust continues to thrive and deliver excellence for generations to come.

Interviews to be held on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th October

Position available from January 2027

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications or are able to fill the position faster than originally anticipated.

Information about the School

The Basildon Academies is focused upon developing the whole child; our curriculum has been developed to enable our students to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills so that they will become lifelong learners. This includes opportunities for linguistic, mathematical, scientific, technical, human, social, physical and artistic learning so that students make progress in a wide range of subjects.

We set high expectations of all our students and this, in turn, ensures we create a positive climate for learning in which every student can reach their full potential. Our Academy is a calm, orderly and purposeful environment where students enjoy their learning, make good progress and feel safe.

Our Sixth Form is a major part of the academy with the structure modelling itself on developing independent learning skills like those seen in universities which allows students to continue their studies in their specialist subject areas. Students are very much encouraged to become mature adults being engaged in many aspects of the life of the academy which further develops those much needed skills to go on into university or the world of work.

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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