Director of Education

memcom recruitment; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational charity and membership organisation in Bristol is seeking a Director of Education to lead a strategically important area within their Senior Leadership Team. This role involves developing and delivering educational strategies, managing a team, and implementing a new Distinctions Framework. The ideal candidate should have significant senior experience in education, strong leadership skills, and a passion for photography. The position offers hybrid working, a competitive salary, and a range of benefits including 25 days annual leave.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Laptop

Access to workspace

Qualifications

• Significant senior experience in education, training, or qualification frameworks.
• Strong leadership and culture-building skills.
• Commercially aware and strategically minded.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a cohesive strategy for Education, Distinctions and Qualifications.
• Manage the education team's creation and delivery of workshops and online learning.
• Lead implementation of RPS's new Distinctions Framework.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strategic planning

Budget management

Education framework experience

Collaborative work

Job description

Overview

Director of Education, Royal Photographic Society (RPS)

Location: Bristol (Hybrid, 1-2 days per week onsite)

Salary: £65,000-£70,000

Our client, the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), is an internationally respected educational charity and membership organisation committed to advancing the art and science of photography. They are now seeking an exceptional Director of Education to lead a new, strategically important area within their Senior Leadership Team.

This brand new role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and grow the RPS's Education, Distinctions and Qualifications portfolio—developing a modern, innovative and commercially sustainable offer that strengthens member value and positions the RPS as a global home for photographic learning and recognition.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a cohesive strategy for Education, Distinctions and Qualifications aligned to the organisation's mission and long-term plans.
• Manage and work with the education team in the creation and delivery of workshops, courses, online learning, CPD and structured pathways, ensuring consistently high quality and learner experience.
• Lead the implementation of the RPS's new Distinctions Framework, ensuring it remains credible, accessible and commercially effective.
• Build strong relationships with Assessors and streamline Distinctions processes to create a modern, engaging member journey.
• Provide inspiring leadership to the Education and Distinctions team, fostering collaboration, accountability and a positive culture.
• Manage budgets, forecasting and operational delivery while exploring new revenue opportunities.
• Collaborate with volunteers, Special Interest Groups, Regional Hubs and external partners across education, industry and the arts.
• Act as an ambassador for the RPS at events and support the promotion of programmes in partnership with Marketing and Membership colleagues.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring significant senior experience in education, training or qualification frameworks, along with strong leadership and culture-building skills. They will be commercially aware, strategically minded and confident navigating and modernising legacy systems. An interest in photography or visual arts is highly desirable. This role suits a compassionate, collaborative leader who thrives in a small, hands-on environment.

Benefits

Hybrid working, 25 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, pension, RPS membership, cycle-to-work scheme, laptop, and access to the vibrant HERE Bristol workspace.

Apply today and we will be in touch to share the full JD should your background match the role requirements.