Director of Education

Rochester Diocesan Society and Board of Finance

Ref: 1634

Posted: 04/08/2025 Start Date: TBD

Interview Date: Monday 15th September

Pay: From £84,402

Close Date: 31/08/2025 at 16:00

Job Description

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for education and a heart for the flourishing of children and young people in a Christian context? Do you bring insight, courage, and compassion to leadership, and are ready to shape the future of 90 Church of England schools across our Diocese?
The Diocese of Rochester is seeking a visionary and experienced Director of Education to lead our education strategy and team, strengthening our schools’ Christian distinctiveness and ensuring their contribution to the wider mission of the Church. This is a senior role, reporting to the Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education.

About the Role
As Director of Education, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the diocesan education function, working closely with schools, MATs, governors, clergy and wider Church networks. You'll lead a high-performing team and collaborate across diocesan departments to embed education into the life of the Church, particularly through our Called Together vision and the Growing Faith initiative.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Shaping and delivering diocesan strategy for education
• Providing statutory oversight as Company Secretary to the Diocesan Board of Education
• Leading the Education Department team, including budget management and service delivery
• Building strong relationships with schools, MATs, local authorities and national church bodies
• Promoting Christian distinctiveness and school improvement across all Church schools
• Supporting clergy and parishes in their engagement with local schools
• Advising on governance, policy, and the development of new schools
• Representing the Diocese on local and national educational bodies

You’ll play a central role in enabling the Diocese to proclaim the word and work of God through schools, and to support the Christian nurture and wellbeing of children and young people across our communities.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) with significant senior leadership experience in education
• Strategic, visionary, and able to embed Christian values into educational policy and practice
• Experienced in church school leadership, governance and improvement
• Knowledgeable about the Church of England, SIAMS, OFSTED and national education frameworks
• An excellent communicator, able to inspire, build trust, and lead with integrity
• Confident in managing teams, budgets and partnerships at all levels
• Flexible, self-motivated, and resilient under pressure

There is an Occupational Requirement (OR) for the postholder to be a communicant member of the Church of England (or a Church in communion with it, or a member Church of the Churches Together in England, Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, or the Evangelical Alliance).

What we can offer:

• Flexible working, hybrid working and TOIL
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Contributory pension scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service

We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide-range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Contact Information

Telephone: 01634 560000

Email: recruitment@rochester.anglican.org

Documents

• Recruitment Pack - Adobe PDF, 1.3MB