Head of Community Engagement

The Progress Group; England; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted gym memberships

Free wellbeing app and counselling

Professional qualifications support

Death in service insurance

Wellbeing and health cashback

Recognition awards

Referral bonus

Exclusive discounts via MiRewards

Job summary

The Progress Group is seeking a Head of Community Engagement to empower futures for students across its Progress Community schools. You will oversee community engagement, wellbeing strategies, and partnerships with schools, ensuring inclusive practices and safeguarding compliance.

You will lead with empathy, manage cross-functional teams, and drive professional growth while balancing travel across the UK footprint. A commitment to equality and British values is essential.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an operational leadership role within education or related children’s services contexts.
• Experience with EHCP processes, SEMH needs and the legislative framework for alternative provision.

Responsibilities

• Lead community engagement strategy and ensure alignment with Progress Community’s mission and values.
• Collaborate with schools and partners to support pupil wellbeing and inclusion.
• Travel regularly across Progress Community's geographic footprint and manage stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Problem-solving

Diversity and inclusion

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience

Safeguarding qualification at DSL level

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent educational experience

Job description

Join us as a Head of Community Engagement: Empower Futures!

Do you want to work for a company where wellbeing is more than a word, it’s a commitment? Somewhere where the person matters as much as the professional?

Well at Progress Community, that’s just the approach we take.

Here at Progress Community, your wellbeing is central to our core values. This is a place where although you'll work remotely, you’ll feel a true sense of belonging. We’ll invest in you and your growth, and you’ll work with a great bunch of colleagues who truly care and look out for each other.

Our top-notch benefits go beyond the basics—enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app that is jam packed with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources and dedicated counselling support. And because we know your passion is with pupils and not paperwork, we do everything we can to reduce the amount of surplus admin too.

Your work-life balance matters. That’s why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers and flexibility wherever possible.

And why do we do this? Because when you thrive, so do our students. So we want to invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do the young people who attend our schools.

But that’s not all, we also offer…

• Professional Development: Support for professional qualifications, in-house training, including paid qualifications. Last year we invested approx. £3.5k per colleague!
• Financial Security: Death in Service Insurance providing four times your salary.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
• Health and Wellbeing Cashback: Access to Medicash for you and your dependants, covering the costs of eye tests, optical, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments up to £900 annually.
• Recognition Awards: Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Recognition Awards.
• Referral Bonus: £500 for referring top talent.
• Exclusive Discounts: MiRewards benefits platform, offering loads of discounts and rewards
• Weekly drop ins with Senior Leaders: Connect, clarify and communicate with weekly drop-ins with our Managing Director and organisation SLT
• Group Connection: Annual Group conference and a comprehensive benefits review.

What are we looking for from you?

• Qualifications: Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience, Safeguarding qualification at DSL level, or willingness to obtain on appointment, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent educational experience.
• Experience: Significant experience in an operational leadership role within education, alternative provision, SEMH or a related children’s services context.
• Teaching Subjects: English, Maths, and Science Proficiency, a minimum of grade 4/C or higher
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of EHCP processes, SEMH needs and the legislative framework for alternative provision, Knowledge of equality of opportunity, safeguarding, child protection and inclusion issues in settings with high levels of vulnerable children.
• Problem-Solving: Aptitude for solving problems and making effective decisions.
• Communication: To be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with a diverse range of audiences including children, parents and carers, and colleagues.
• Promotion of Values: Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values.
• Time Management: Effective time management for planning, delivery, and assessment.

Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across Progress Community's geographic footprint.

More About Progress Community

You’ll be working for Progress Community, which is ran by Progress Schools and part of the Progress Education division. Progress Community is on a mission, to reconnect young people who feel left behind with the confidence, skills, and support they need to rediscover their potential, rebuild trust in learning, and find purpose in brighter futures. We meet young people where they are — creating safe, supportive spaces that nurture wellbeing, personal growth, and readiness for next steps. By combining mentoring, mental health understanding, and personalised learning experiences, we help each individual take steady, confident steps back towards education.

Progress Community is part of our broader education eco-system, Progress Education. We want to create opportunity for marginalised young people by ensuring every individual is seen, understood, and supported through learning—building a society where every young person is set up to succeed, regardless of their story. At Progress Education, we are changing young people’s lives through learning and belonging

Let’s redefine education together! #JoinOurTeam #EducationRevolution #AlternativeEducation

Diversity and Inclusion Statement:

The Progress Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information, or parental status. All employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements, and business needs.

Safeguarding Statement:

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices. For details of our commitment to safer recruitment please visit our website for further information.

Note:

We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for this role.

Progress Schools is a nationally based, alternative education provider with independent secondary schools located throughout England. We provide high-quality, supportive, and inspirational teaching to 11 – 16-year-olds at Key Stage 3 and 4. Our bespoke approach ensures positive progression either back into mainstream education, or into the world of further education, work-based learning, or employment when leaving us in Year 11.