Regional Director and Executive Principal

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Wick; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Star Academies is seeking a senior leader to oversee a portfolio of seven schools across Greater Manchester and Preston. The role focuses on raising standards through school improvement, setting priorities, and coaching Principals to build capacity across both faith and non-faith settings.

The post combines strategic and day-to-day operational leadership, with accountability for performance and development of Principals to ensure top national outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Principal in a secondary phase setting.
• Sustainable school improvement across multiple sites.
• Experience of line managing Principals and building capacity.
• Ability to lead across contexts including faith and non-faith settings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee seven schools across Greater Manchester and Preston.
• Lead sustainable school improvement, especially in secondary schools.
• Identify priorities and implement interventions to improve pupil outcomes.
• Line manage Principals and hold them to account for standards and outcomes.
• Coach Principals to improve practice across the portfolio.
• Work strategically and operationally across the portfolio.
• Develop wider partnerships in localities and regions.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Partnership development

Interpersonal skills

Faith and non-faith contexts

Job description

Star Academies, a multi academy trust of Muslim, Christian and non-faith schools, seeks a senior leader to oversee a portfolio of seven schools across Greater Manchester and Preston, five secondary and two primary. The work centres on raising standards through school improvement, setting priorities, and line managing and coaching school Principals while building their capacity. The post combines strategic and day-to-day operational leadership and needs experience of faith and non-faith settings. Visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Oversee a portfolio of five secondary and two primary schools across Greater Manchester and Preston
• Lead sustainable school improvement, particularly in secondary schools
• Identify priorities and put interventions in place to improve pupil outcomes
• Work with school Principals to empower them and build capacity
• Line manage school Principals, holding them to account for standards and outcomes
• Coach and guide Principals to improve their own practice and that of others
• Work strategically and operationally across the portfolio
• Model best practice in leadership and pedagogy
• Adapt an approach to schools with differing contexts and improvement journeys
• Support Principals to manage change rapidly and sustainably
• Run school-to-school support strategies
• Develop wider partnerships in localities and regions

What’s required

Experience

• Successful track record as a Principal in a secondary phase setting
• Proven record in sustainable school improvement, particularly secondary
• Track record of school leadership across schools with differing contexts
• Experience of line managing school Principals

Skills & knowledge

• Ability to lead, manage, develop and inspire school leaders towards top 5% national performance
• Strong strategic and operational planning skills
• Understanding of the benefits and dynamics of wider partnerships
• Comfort working in faith and non-faith settings
• Strong interpersonal skills to flex across different contexts

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK

Other

• Full commitment to the trust's mission, vision and values

Nice to have

• Experience in the primary phase