Senior Manager: Specialist Teaching Services

East Sussex County Council; Lewes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council is seeking a decisive leader to head specialist teaching services within the Education Division. You will shape countywide SEND priorities, drive performance and secure better outcomes for children and young people with additional needs.

You will report to the Head of Education: SEND and work with a broad leadership team to deliver inclusive education strategies, manage resources, and collaborate with partners across education, health, and families.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in education.
• Expertise in using data to evaluate performance and drive improvement.
• Confidence and skill in challenging underperformance and securing better outcomes.
• Experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Energy, drive, and resilience to make a lasting impact.
• Integrity and a strong moral purpose to work collaboratively with partners.
• A track record of improving outcomes for children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the specialist teaching services ensuring we meet our statutory duties in relation to supporting children with additional and special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Provide strategic leadership across the service area.
• Build strong, collaborative partnerships across education, children’s services, schools, health services, and families.
• Manage resources, and ensure high-quality service delivery and an ability to work across teams/organisations

Skills

Leadership in education

Data-driven improvement

Team leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Masters in Education

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to lead specialist teaching within the local authority?

Are you ready to lead specialist teaching within the local authority? We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our forward-thinking Education Division. This is a unique opportunity to shape and drive countywide priorities focused on improving and securing better outcomes for children and young people, within our Specialist Teaching Service.

As a key member of the SEND leadership team, you will report directly to the Head of Education: SEND. You will be part of the broader leadership team for education and will be responsible for the delivery of our strategy for high quality, inclusive education across the county. You will lead the delivery of our specialist teaching services which supports children and young people with additional and special educational needs and disabilities.

You will lead the development and delivery of our services that provide teaching and learning for children and young people who have significant barriers to accessing education and responsibility for our central teaching teams within the local authority. A key focus is to ensure we can continue to secure better outcomes for children and young people.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the specialist teaching services ensuring we meet our statutory duties in relation to supporting children with additional and special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Provide strategic leadership across the service area.
• Build strong, collaborative partnerships across education, children’s services, schools, health services, and families.
• Manage resources, and ensure high-quality service delivery and an ability to work across teams/organisations

We’re Looking For Someone Who Brings

• Proven leadership experience in education.
• Expertise in using data to evaluate performance and drive improvement.
• Confidence and skill in challenging underperformance and securing better outcomes.
• Experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Energy, drive, and resilience to make a lasting impact.
• Integrity and a strong moral purpose to work collaboratively with partners.
• A track record of improving outcomes for children and young people.

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification for more information.

Interested?

If you have the vision and expertise to lead our Specialist Teaching Services into their next phase of development, we’d love to hear from you.

Interviews will be held in person on Friday 25 September 2026 at County Hall, Lewes and will include:

• A formal interview panel
• Data and prioritisation tasks
• Opportunities to meet key colleagues

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

Why Join Us?

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

For an informal conversation prior to applying, please contact Sarah Speedie – Head of Education: SEND - by email: [e-mail]

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!

About Us

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.