Director of Research & Innovation

Voyage Education Partnership; Dudley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Dudley Academies Trust is seeking a Director of Research and Innovation to drive strategic development across its primary and secondary academies. This senior leadership post oversees research initiatives, curriculum innovation, and areas that improve student outcomes.

The appointment is permanent and full-time, with a Leadership pay band (L20–L24). Closing date is Friday, 2 October 2026. Start date remains to be confirmed, with interviews scheduled and an emphasis on safeguarding and wellbeing.

Job description

Director of Research & Innovation (Dudley Academies Trust)

Salary: Leadership L20 - L24

Contract Type: Permanent

Education Phases: Primary, Secondary;

Job Roles: Other Leadership;

Working Patterns: Full-Time;

Application Deadline: Friday, 2nd October 2026

Interview Date: TBC

Expected Working Start Date: TBC

Is a Shared Job: No

About us

Dudley Academies Trust was established to ensure a firstrate education for the young people of Dudley and the surrounding areas. It isimportant to us that all our young people have a high-quality education thatwill give them the foundations they need for a fulfilling life and a rewardingfuture career.

With three primary schools having joined the Trust so far,we aim to offer a route from Nursery and Reception all the way through tothe A Levels, T Levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships and degree-levelcourses offered by our sponsor, Dudley College of Technology.

We have recruited numerous, excellent staff to our academiesand made some outstanding appointments to their leadership teams. We haveintroduced a proven system of rewards and behaviour management that has changedthe culture of our classrooms, accompanied by a raft of new approaches toteaching. An inspiring curriculum offers a rich variety of subjects with strongemphasis on basic skills in English and Mathematics and the digitaltechnologies that are now so important.

Closing date for this role is Friday 2nd October 2026 - wereserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the date advertised.

All successful applicants will need to undertake an enhanceddisclosure and barring service check and children and adults barred listchecks, where the applicant will be employed in a regulated activity.

Dudley Academies Trust is an equal opportunities employerand welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including disabled, and black andethnic minority applicants.

Job Description

Please see attached.

Dudley Academies Trust is fully committed to prioritising emotional health and wellbeing for all employees. We support our employees to make positive choices for their own wellbeing and encourage an open and understanding culture across and between all roles in the Trust. Our Employee Assistance programme offers 24/7, free legal, financial and counselling provision to all staff. Please see the attached wellbeing charter for further information.

2026 09 JD - Director of Research and Innovation.pdf