Head of Partnerships and Engagement
Please Note: The application deadline for this post has now passed.
Post Introduction
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
The Church of England Education Office has three core priorities within its mission to implement the Church of England Vision for Education – ‘Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good’. These three priorities are Developing Leaders, Shaping Policy and Growing Faith. Our work is both with the 4644 Church of England schools which we serve, and also within the wider education sector. Key to the ongoing further growth and flourishing of this work is the building and embedding of long-term partnerships with a range of stakeholders across the system.
Introduction
As Head of Partnerships and Engagement, you will build and sustain long-term flourishing partnerships with a wide range of key sector stakeholders (e.g. Multi-academy trusts (MATs), schools, dioceses, FE college and Cathedrals Group universities), to enable sustained engagement with the programmes, networks, research, events and resources of the national Church of England Education Office.
You will be based from home (from a location in the UK) with some mandatory team days to attend.
The working hours for this post are 35 hours per week and the working arrangements will be discussed further at interview.
For an informal conversation please contact andy.wolfe@churchofengland.org
The closing date for applications is Monday 15 April 2024.
Interviews will take place on Monday 29 April 2024 at Church House, Westminster.
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.
The Role
Building Partnerships
- To establish and cultivate strategic partnerships with a wide range of senior stakeholders across the education system – including MAT leaders, School Leaders, Diocese Education Teams and other sector bodies
- To develop strategic relationships that enable leaders to deepen their implementation of the Church of England vision for education
- To support the Executive Director of Education in implementing the recommendations in the ‘Our Hope for a Flourishing Schools System’ document including speaking at major events and conferences
- To track and evaluate engagement across stakeholders, analysing trends and securing further sustained growth
Securing Engagement
- To further grow and develop our NPQ programmes in terms of long-term strategic engagement from MATs and schools
- To support all parts of the Church of England Education Office in further growth of current workstreams (including but not limited to, Flourishing Trusts Network, National Secondary Leadership Network, Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award, Growing Faith Foundation, Leaders Like Us, Conferences and Events)
- To support the development of further core products within the Education Office’s portfolio – including for example future development of Early Career Framework partnerships
- To support the Executive Director of Education to implement a range of international partnerships and events, including NPQ delivery overseas and a range of international leadership development projects
FE/HE and Apprenticeships
- To lead and deliver the national non-teaching staff apprenticeships programme with 25+ MATs learning in partnership with a range of FE colleges and Cathedrals Group universities
- To support the Executive Director of Education in building strong sustainable partnerships with FE colleges and universities to develop a range of additional programmes and activities
The Requirements
Essential
Skills/Aptitudes:
- Strong relationship building with a wide variety of partners within and beyond the organisation
- High quality presentation skills with a range of senior audiences, establishing trust, credibility and action planning
- Entrepreneurial/visionary leadership with the ability to effect change and significant organisational growth
- Systematic organisational skills in relation to managing a very significant number of relationships
Knowledge/Experience:
- Understanding of the education sector at a strategic level
- Understanding of the Church of England Vision for Education, its underpinning leadership/theological thinking, and the opportunities it offers to engage the whole sector
- Credibility and track record of impact in educational leadership at a senior level
- Experience working with strategic stakeholders, both within and beyond the Church of England system
- Building and facilitating networks within an education context
- Leadership development experience in relation to programmes, networks and/or research
- Strong track record of presentation, facilitation and resource creation
Personal Attributes:
- Credibility and relationship building – establishing trust and delivering on expectations
- Creative partnership development and relational empathy
- Passion for the flourishing of adults and children
- Patience and resilience under pressure
- Strong sense of collegiality and team
Education:
- Degree level Qualifications or equivalent
Desirable
Skills/Aptitudes:
- Digital networking experience using social media and other platforms effectively to communicate and build networks
- Business development/growth experience in any sector
- Project management experience at a senior level
Knowledge/Experience:
- Understanding of education policy development and engagement with senior decision makers
- Experience overseeing major events such as conferences, network events, collaborations
Education:
- Postgraduate qualifications in education, leadership or related discipline
About Us
In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.
Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions at Careers | The Church of England
NCI values
- We strive for excellence
- We collaborate
- We act with integrity
- We show compassion
- We respect others
We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you.
If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.
Overview
