Some key information
- This role provides the opportunity for hybrid working, allowing you to work either from home, subject to managerial approval, or from one of our offices.
- 33 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
- Progression/development opportunities OR significant impact of role
- Permanent contract, 37 hours per week
What will I be doing?
You’ll lead strategic development within your area of educational specialism, working collaboratively across schools, institutions, and communities to design and implement initiatives that improve educational delivery and outcomes in Early years – from birth to the end of Year 1.
Your role includes:
- Advising senior education leaders on policy and programme development
- Driving quality and inclusivity in service provision
- Overseeing performance and impact evaluation using data and evidence
- Building strong stakeholder relationships and partnerships
- Advocating for the needs of learners and educators
- Managing educational phase and budgets
- Preparing reports and presenting recommendations to senior leadership
What kind of experience or qualifications do I need?
We’re looking for someone with proven expertise in education and strategic leadership.
Essential Requirements:
- Significant experience in a Early Education field
- Experience developing and implementing educational policies and programmes
- Strategic advisory experience with senior leadership
- Proven ability to lead and manage teams
- Strong skills in research, data analysis, and impact evaluation
Qualifications Include:
- Degree in Education, Public Administration, or equivalent professional experience
- Professional qualification in Education or related field
- Project management or leadership training
- Continuous professional development record
- Membership of a relevant professional body
We’re proud to be here for the people of Somerset. And that means everyone in Somerset. An important part of this is ensuring that we are as diverse and inclusive as the people and communities we serve.
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. You can always contact the hiring manager for a chat if there’s anything you want to talk about before you apply.
What's in it for me?
We are proud to offer an environment that is supportive and rewarding, working as part of a team who are passionate about the work they do to improve the lives of people in Somerset.
We offer great training and development opportunities, with supportive management. As well as this, we have some fantastic employee benefits available:
- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home.
- Generous annual leave allowance, with the opportunity to purchase additional leave
- Staff discounts in gyms.
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain a cycle for work and health screenings.
- My Staff Shop offering discounts in shops, online shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, insurance benefits and more
Anything else I should know?
The salary for this role is Soulbury A15-A18.
This is a high-impact position that supports Somerset Council’s long-term strategic vision for education. The successful candidate will be joining a passionate team at a time of innovation and continuous improvement in our education system.
If you're ready to champion transformative change and help shape the future of education in Somerset, we’d love to hear from you.
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Fiona Turnbull, Head of Virtual School.
Tel: 07811 310045
E-mail: [email protected]Interviews will take place on 11th and 12th September 2025.
When completing your application/CV please provide your full employment history and ensure that any gaps in employment are explained. Please start with your current or most recent employment.
If you have all the information you need, just hit the apply button - we can’t wait to hear from you.
DBS information
This post requires a criminal background check via the disclosure procedure.
