Kemnal is one of the largest multi-academy trusts in the country, serving 45 schools across the South and East of England. Our schools sit at the heart of their communities, many of which have been underserved for too long. We exist to change that, to improve life chances, and to ensure every young person leaves our schools with real choices about their future.

We have set a clear seven-year strategy, focused on ambition, community, opportunity, enrichment and talent. The next phase is about delivery: securing consistently strong outcomes, strengthening secondary education, and ensuring that the quality of a young person’s experience does not depend on which school they attend.

We are now seeking an Executive Director of Secondary Education to join our Executive Committee.

This is a role with real scope. You will be accountable for secondary education across the Trust, shaping the quality of education, leadership and outcomes for thousands of young people. You will work at scale, setting direction, building capacity and holding leaders accountable to ensure every school delivers the standard our communities deserve.

This role goes beyond improving results within the school. It is about what those results make possible. You will play a central role in ensuring that young people leave our schools ready for what comes next: progressing to ambitious destinations, equipped with the knowledge, confidence and character to lead lives of purpose and contribution.

We are looking for a leader who has already delivered improvement across multiple schools and understands the realities of complex systems. You will be comfortable leading through others, making difficult decisions when needed, and maintaining a clear focus on what has the greatest impact on pupils.

This is a role for someone who believes deeply in the power of education to change lives, and who is committed to doing the hard work required to make that a reality at scale.

This is an opportunity to take on one of the most influential roles in the Trust and to shape the experience and outcomes of young people across a large and diverse organisation. The work is demanding and the impact is significant and lasting.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Kemnal on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference RBSKD. Alternatively email Belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on Thursday 14 May 2026.