Chief Executive Officer

NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education)

East Hagbourne

On-site

GBP 80,000 - 120,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A national education charity is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to strengthen its voice, grow membership, and amplify influence in national conversations. The CEO will lead a skilled team to deliver a growth plan focused on enhancing resources for more able learners while ensuring quality and sustainability. Strong communication, sector understanding, and collaborative leadership skills are essential. Interested candidates should submit their CV and expression of interest by January 23, 2026.

Qualifications

Ability to engage senior decision makers and translate evidence into practice.
Track record in effective marketing/communications and partnership building.
Clear, accessible writing and confident presenting for diverse audiences.
Develop people and build cohesive teams while ensuring sound financial judgement.

Responsibilities

Position NACE as an authoritative voice in school improvement.
Develop a growth strategy that increases recruitment and retention.
Lead the team and develop partnerships for sustainable income.
Focus on external growth and building stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Sector and system understanding

Proven ability in scaling reach

Excellent communication skills

Inclusive, collaborative leadership

Job description

Join to apply for the Chief Executive Officer role at NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education)

NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) provided pay range

This range is provided by NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

NACE is a national education charity focused on evidence-informed school improvement and provision for more able learners, and a challenge for all approach to the wider quality of education for all learners.

We are looking for a Chief Executive to strengthen our voice, grow our membership community, increase demand for NACE resources and services and deepen our impact across the sector.

The Opportunity

As CEO you will be the strategic lead and public face of NACE, building partnerships, amplifying our influence in national conversations, and ensuring our offer continues to deliver clear value for members.

You’ll work closely with a skilled central team and associates, and with a supportive Executive Board, to realise an ambitious growth plan while safeguarding quality and financial sustainability.

Flexible and portfolio working will be welcomed.

What you’ll lead

Profile & influence

Position NACE as a recognised and authoritative voice in school improvement for more able learners. Through “challenge for all” strategies in curriculum and pedagogy, by securing speaking opportunities, thought‑leadership pieces and strategic policy roundtables; build trusted relationships across MATs, system leaders and sector bodies.

Membership growth

Deliver a clear value proposition and growth strategy that increases recruitment and retention, secures long‑term sustainability, and nurtures a strong sense of community among members.

Partnerships & income

Develop productive alliances (education, charity and commercial) and responsible income streams (e.g., sponsorships, funded programmes) aligned to mission.

Team & operations

Lead and develop the central team and wider associate network; delegate effectively so you can focus on growth, profile and stakeholder engagement; ensure robust budgeting and prudent stewardship.

What you’ll bring

Sector and system understanding, with credibility to engage senior decision makers and an ability to translate evidence into compelling practice.
Proven ability and track record in scaling reach, membership or audiences through clear propositions, effective marketing/communications and partnership building.
Excellent communication skills, to include clear, accessible writing and confident presenting for diverse audiences.
Inclusive, collaborative leadership where you develop people, build cohesive teams and work well with trustees; bring sound financial judgement and understand sustainable business models.

What success looks like in year one

Noticeable uplift in membership recruitment and retention, underpinned by a clear value proposition and data‑informed improvements to the offer.

Increased national visibility and demand for resources and services through regular sector platforms, strategic partnerships and stronger recognition of NACE’s contribution to school improvement.

A confident, motivated team with clear roles and delegated operational leadership, enabling you to concentrate on external growth and influence.

Please see the full Job description attached

Our commitment to inclusion

We are committed to fair, inclusive and bias‑aware recruitment. If you need adjustments at any stage, or the information in a different format, please let us know. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and career paths; selection is based on evidence against the criteria in the person specification.

NACE is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Consequently, Board members are simultaneously Trustees of the charity and directors of the company. The Memorandum and Articles of Association are the primary governing documents of the charitable company.

Application Instructions

If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and an expression of interest by noon on Friday 23rd January, 2026.

Online interviews will take place on the 5th and 6th of February, with in person interviews during the week commencing Monday 16th February.

The interview process will involve current Board members so you will have the opportunity to meet some of the people with whom you could be working in the future.