Director of Professional Learning

Director of Professional Learning

About the job

Location: The post holder can be home based (in the UK), hybrid, or at our head office in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Contract: This role is offered on a permanent full-time basis - 35hrs per week.

Salary: c£70k, dependent upon experience, skills and qualifications.

HMC is seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Professional Learning to lead one of the association’s most highly valued areas: its professional development provision for school leaders and staff. This is a high-profile leadership opportunity at the heart of a respected and influential organisation.

HMC Professional Development (HMCPD) supports thousands of participants each year across a wide range of programmes – including conferences, CPD events, and extended leadership programmes – delivered both online and in person.

As our portfolio continues to grow, this new role will provide strategic direction, innovation and senior capacity to ensure HMCPD continues to evolve and flourish. If you're ready to lead at scale, create meaningful impact, and help shape the future of professional learning in the independent sector, we would love to hear from you.

What You Will Be Doing

As part of HMC’s senior leadership team, you will work closely with the CEO, Deputy CEO, and other colleagues across the organisation.

• Leading the strategy, development and delivery of HMCPD’s portfolio of online and face-to-face professional learning, ensuring quality, innovation and impact.
• Overseeing key national conferences including HMC’s flagship Autumn and Spring Conferences for Heads.
• Designing and launching new professional learning services and programmes for school leaders and staff at all levels.
• Leading and managing the HMCPD team Championing digital innovation in professional learning, including the development of a new online learning platform.
• Managing annual budgets and medium to long-term planning to ensure financial targets are met and resources are used effectively.
• Building strong relationships with HMC members, school staff, and key partners.
• Overseeing communications, marketing, and stakeholder engagement to support strong uptake of CPD provision.
• Supporting HMC’s Professional Development Committee, and contributing to HMC Council, other committees and advisory groups.
• Representing HMC and speaking at national events and conferences, including occasional travel internationally.

About You

You are an experienced and confident leader with:

• Proven expertise in designing and delivering high-quality and impactful online and face-to-face professional learning and CPD, ideally in an education setting.
• Experience managing people and budgets, ideally within a complex or education-related organisation.
• Strategic insight and the ability to lead change, grow programmes and deliver results.
• Outstanding communication skills – able to engage and influence effectively at all levels.
• A proactive and adaptable mindset, with strong problem-solving and organisational abilities.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and inclusive leadership.
• Confidence with digital tools and platforms, and an interest in innovative learning delivery.
• The ability and willingness to travel regularly across the UK and occasionally internationally.

We Are HMC – The Heads’ Conference

HMC – The Heads’ Conference – is a professional association providing a global community for Heads embedded in an association for many of the world’s leading independent schools.

We are committed to championing excellence, collaboration, and innovation in education. HMC Professional Development is a core part of that commitment – supporting thousands of school leaders and staff every year through rich and relevant learning experiences.

This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in new ideas, new platforms, and new leadership to take our professional learning offer to the next level.

The Extras You’ll Get

At HMC, as well as the usual employee benefits, you’ll receive 30 days holiday plus public bank holidays, generous employer pension contributions of 14.1%, 3x Annual Salary Life Assurance, access to an Employee Assistance Programme and access to Private Medical Cover.

HMC has a strong commitment to professional development, and it is a condition of employment that all members of staff participate in any scheme of appraisal, review, and professional development currently in operation.

How to apply

Please submit your application for the post before the closing date on 8 of September 2025 at 17:00.

The first interviews will be conducted online via Teams between 16-18 September 2025.

The second interviews will take place in person at our head office in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, on the 23 and 24 September 2025.

The start date is flexible, but ideally the appointee will take up post as soon as possible.

The role is based in the UK and only candidates who are eligible to work in the UK will be considered. 

Please see the attached job description and person spec for full details.

HMC Head Office Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

"At HMC we aim to create a welcoming workplace in which difference is celebrated. We understand that diversity makes us stronger and discrimination diminishes us all. The HMC General Secretary and all our staff are committed to practical measures which will help promote a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We will examine recruitment, member services, training, HR policies and practices, communication and organisational culture, in the knowledge that diversity is not only just, but also improves our performance as an association. In nurturing a welcoming workplace in which difference is celebrated, we are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all. We will strive to improve our own understanding, act on expert advice and monitor progress. For more than 150 years, HMC has existed to support and serve its members as they educate generations of children. As we move into the future, we all hope to learn how to be a better version of ourselves."

Apply now and help shape and lead the Professional Development Team and the future of a purpose-led organisation!