Executive Director of Trust Services
About the role
This is a newly created Executive Director role with a clear purpose: to build Trust Services that are as strong, trusted and forward-thinking as Northern Lights’ educational offer.
As a member of the executive team, you will lead the strategic development of Trust Services across HR, IT, estates, health & safety, risk management and business transformation. Working closely with the CEO, CFO, executive colleagues and school leaders, you will develop a clear roadmap for operational excellence, ensuring our services are proactive, consistent and focused on what schools need most.
This is an opportunity to shape the future of Trust Services rather than simply maintain existing services. Whilst you’ll oversee day-to-day operational performance, your focus will be on strengthening systems, developing people, improving digital capability and ensuring schools see Trust Services as valued partners in their success.
You’ll help create the operational capacity that enables the Trust to grow sustainably, while giving the CEO greater freedom to focus on leading the organisation externally and delivering its long-term vision.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for an experienced and thoughtful leader who combines strategic thinking with the ability to turn ideas into action. You may bring experience from education or another complex, purpose-driven organisation such as the NHS, local government, housing, social care or the charity sector. What matters most is your ability to lead high-performing services that enable others to succeed.
You will bring:
- A track record of leading multiple operational services within a complex organisation.
- Experience of driving organisational change, service improvement or business transformation.
- The ability to lead through influence, developing high-performing teams.
- A relevant professional qualification (or equivalent experience) in an operational or corporate service discipline, with the credibility to lead specialist teams across multiple functions.
- Strong commercial awareness, with a focus on value for money, strategic planning and continuous improvement.
- The credibility to build trusted relationships with senior leaders, Trustees and stakeholders, providing constructive challenge and clear strategic advice.
Above all, you will share our values. You’ll be collaborative, authentic and pragmatic, with the humility to listen, the confidence to challenge and a genuine commitment to supporting schools, communities and the children they serve.
Please follow the below link for more information and how to apply:
