Location
Ealing, London Borough of Ealing

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£81,870 to £86,847 per annum (inclusive)

About the Role
Shape the future of education in Ealing. Ealing Council is committed to ensuring every child has access to an excellent education and the opportunity to thrive. Our schools are among the highest performing, while responding to significant changes in demographics and national policy. This means we need exceptional leadership to navigate the challenges ahead.

We are seeking an experienced strategic leader to join our Children's Services leadership team. This is a high-profile role with responsibility for school place planning, mainstream and SEND sufficiency, admissions, pupil support services, school funding, and financial sustainability. You will play a critical role in ensuring that every child in Ealing can thrive.

You will lead the strategic planning and delivery of:
- School organisation and place planning across mainstream and SEND provision
- School admissions and fair access arrangements
- Pupil support services and entitlement programmes
- School financial sustainability and resource management
- Dedicated Schools Grant planning and Schools Forum activity
- Education sufficiency, commissioning and capital investment programmes
- Major change programmes arising from local priorities and national reforms

Working closely with schools, academy trusts, dioceses, elected members, communities, the Department for Education and regional partners, you will ensure Ealing continues to provide sufficient, sustainable and high-quality education provision for all children and young people.

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of children and families across one of London's most diverse and ambitious boroughs. You will join a forward-thinking organisation committed to its priorities of:
- Community for Everyone
- Growth Across All Seven Towns
- Power in Your Hands

If you are a strategic, collaborative and solutions-focused leader who can translate vision into delivery, we would love to hear from you.

You must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.

Ealing Council is committed to creating good jobs and delivering on its connected communities’ agenda. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive. We therefore welcome applications from all residents of the borough, particularly from candidates entering the employment market in the early stages of their career and mid-career professionals who are currently underrepresented in Ealing’s workforce.

Please note all applications will be determined on merit.

Ealing Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post holder will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and Ealing Council's enhanced vetting process.

Closing date: 28 September 2026
Interview date: Week commencing 12 October 2026

Experience
- Significant senior leadership experience within education, local government or a related public sector environment
- A strong track record in school organisation, admissions, place planning or education strategy
- Experience of leading complex change programmes and influencing policy development
- Expertise in data-driven planning, financial management and strategic decision-making
- Strong political awareness, stakeholder management and partnership-building skills
- Experience of working effectively with schools, governors, elected members and senior leaders

About you
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing abilities
- A commitment to inclusion, equity and improving outcomes for children and young people
- Strategic, collaborative and solutions-focused leadership style

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated, but relevant senior leadership experience and expertise in education planning and resource management are essential.