Director Education & Skills

Tile Hill; Telford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Telford & Wrekin Council is seeking an outstanding leader to assume the role of Director of Education & Skills. You will steer SEND, school improvement, access and sufficiency, alternative provision, the Virtual School, skills, and broader education leadership across the council.

Reporting to the Executive Director for Children's Services and Public Health, you’ll work with schools, MATs, health partners and local partners to deliver inclusive growth, better life chances and improved outcomes

Qualifications

• Experience in senior educational leadership within local government or a large multi-agency setting.
• Track record of improving SEND, inclusion and school performance.
• Strong strategic and financial management.
• Ability to build partnerships with schools, MATs, health and community sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead SEND and school improvement strategy across the borough.
• Drive inclusion, skills pathways and employment routes.
• Collaborate with schools, MATs, health, and elected members.
• Chair partnerships and represent council in regional education forums.

Job description

An ambitious, high-performing council where education, inclusion and skills are central to shaping the future of the borough.

Telford & Wrekin is one of the fastest-growing places in England, with a young and increasingly diverse population and a strong track record of innovation and improvement. Education and skills are central to our vision for inclusive growth, tackling inequality and helping every child and young person thrive.

We're seeking an outstanding leader to join us as Director of Education & Skills. Reporting to the Executive Director for Children's Services and Public Health, you'll lead a broad portfolio spanning SEND, school improvement, access and sufficiency, alternative provision, the Virtual School, skills, and wider leadership across education and early help.

The council is proud of its strong performance, including an Outstanding Ofsted judgement and a top-tier Area SEND inspection outcome. Yet we remain ambitious to drive even greater inclusion, consistency and outcomes across the system.

A key priority will be leading the system response to growing SEND, sufficiency and DSG pressures, ensuring children and young people can access the right support at the right time. Implementation of the SEND reform plan will also be a major focus, requiring strong strategic leadership and a relentless focus on inclusion, sustainability and improved outcomes. Alongside this you’ll drive school improvement, strengthen skills and employment pathways, reduce NEET levels, and help shape future school place planning.

This is a highly influential, system-facing role requiring close collaboration with schools, MATs, health partners, the voluntary sector and elected members. You'll chair key partnerships and play a visible role in regional education forums and corporate leadership across the council.

Collaboration is central to how we work, with education playing a vital role in our “One Council” approach to improving outcomes for children, young people and communities.

You’ll be a credible leader with a strong understanding of the education landscape, particularly SEND, inclusion and the evolving role of local authorities in an increasingly academy-led system. Most importantly, you’ll be able to lead complex systems, build trusted relationships and bring partners together to improve outcomes for children and young people. You’ll combine strategic vision with sound financial and performance management, navigate a fast-changing national agenda, and champion improvement at scale.

In return, you’ll join a supportive and ambitious council with strong political and corporate leadership, a collaborative culture and a genuine commitment to developing its people. This is a rare opportunity to influence system-wide change, improve life chances and shape the future of education and skills in one of England's fastest-growing boroughs.

Closing date: midnight on Wednesday 23rd September 2026

Positive Action Statement

At Telford & Wrekin Council, we know that having a diverse workforce is key to providing the best possible services to our community. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, in particular those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds who are currently under-represented.