Closing date: 13 November 2026
Interview date: 20 November 2026
Expected start date: 1 February 2026
Location: Central Services with Trust-wide responsibility

Shape the future of education across a growing Trust

Eastern Multi-Academy Trust is seeking an exceptional Director of Education to join its Executive Leadership Team and lead the next phase of educational excellence, consistency and impact across our academies.
This is a pivotal, Trust-wide leadership role with responsibility for:

setting and delivering the education strategy across all academies
ensuring consistently high standards in teaching, curriculum and outcomes
leading school improvement through Principals and School Improvement Directors
providing clear, evidence-based assurance to the CEO and Board of Trustees

This role requires a leader who operates with integrity, transparency and accountability, and who embodies the Seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles) in both decision-making and leadership practice.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will:

Drive educational performance and standards across all academies
Lead the Trust's school improvement strategy and delivery model
Act as Trust Data Lead, using insight to drive improvement and challenge
Hold Principals to account through professional challenge and support
Ensure the Trust is Ofsted-ready at all times
Contribute to the Trust's growth strategy and future development

This is a role that requires both strategic leadership and operational credibility, with the ability to influence at all levels.

About you

You will be an experienced and credible senior leader, likely currently working as:

a Director of Education across a smaller MAT;
a senior Trust leader ready to step into a Director-level role; or
an experienced Principal / Executive Principal, or

You will bring:

A strong track record of raising standards and improving outcomes
Deep understanding of curriculum, pedagogy and school improvement
Confidence working with data, governance and accountability frameworks
The ability to influence, challenge and support senior leaders
A clear commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and equity
The presence and credibility to operate at Board and executive level

About Eastern Multi-Academy Trust (EMAT)

EMAT is a growing, values-driven Trust of 12 primary and secondary academies across West Norfolk, Breckland and Brandon (Suffolk).

Founded in 2017, our Trust mission rests on four pillars:
Empower | Motivate | Achieve | Transform

Our vision is captured in our motto:
Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities

We believe schools must be at the heart of the communities they serve, and our track record reflects this, every school that has joined our Trust has improved its Ofsted outcome.

Everything we do as a Trust is rooted in a clear moral purpose - to ensure that every decision, every strategy and every investment leads to better outcomes and life chances for the children and young people we serve.

We believe schools must be at the heart of their communities, and our track record reflects this, every school that has joined our Trust has improved its Ofsted outcome.

We are a Trust that:

values collaboration and professional challenge
prioritises high-quality education for all pupils
invests in people development and leadership capacity
operates with integrity, guided by the Nolan Principles of Public Life

We are also a Trust committed to sustainable and strategic growth, ensuring that expansion strengthens our capacity to deliver high-quality education while maintaining strong governance, financial discipline and educational standards.

Our strategic priorities include:

Raising attainment and accelerating progress, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND
Strengthening curriculum quality and consistency across all phases
Developing exceptional leaders at all levels through structured CPD and expert practitioner frameworks
Embedding safeguarding, mental health and personal development as cornerstones of school culture
Sustainable growth, including estate investment and expansion with financial discipline
Environmental responsibility through a published environmental strategy

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to:

Shape education across multiple academies
Work as part of a high-performing Executive Leadership Team
Influence strategy, culture and outcomes at scale
Contribute to the growth and development of the Trust

How to apply

Please review the recruitment pack and complete the application to show how you meet the essential requirements. We'd also like to hear about your relevant experience, what you can bring to the role, and your aspirations for the future.

Should you wish to have a confidential discussion about the role please contact our CEO, Mr Paul Shanks.

Eastern Multi-Academy Trust

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