Chief Executive Officer

Education Policy Institute

About the Organisation

Education Policy Institute is one of the country’s leading public policy research organisations. We aim to promote high-quality education outcomes for all children and young people, regardless of social background. Our authoritative, impartial research has proven both timely and influential, reaching a large and diverse audience including parliament, government, practitioners and the general public. Our high-quality programme of data-led research generates powerful evidence that is able to shape policy.

About the role

EPI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will provide strategic, intellectual, and operational leadership for EPI—ensuring the organisation continues to deliver world-class research, influence policy at the highest levels, and operate sustainably and effectively. We want to recruit an experienced leader with a passion for education and social justice. We need to make the case ever more powerfully and to a wider audience, and with ever greater impact.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead an organisation of 20 people (and growing) to deliver EPI’s charitable mission
• Ensure EPI maintains its independence, credibility and research excellence.
• Identify key policy priorities and emerging trends across education, skills and young people’s wellbeing.

Research Oversight and Impact

• Encourage innovation in research methods, data use and communication.
• Oversee the development of a robust research agenda aligned with EPI’s values and mission.
• Uphold high standards of methodological rigour and impartiality.
• Ensure EPI’s outputs influence policymakers, practitioners, and the media

External Relations and Influence:

• Serve as the public face and principal spokesperson for EPI.
• Represent EPI at conferences and advisory panels.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government departments, parliamentarians, funders, unions and school leaders, and the wider education community.
• Lead EPI’s media profile, responding at short notice to requests for expert comment and policy insight.

Financial and Organisational Management:

• Work closely with the Board of Trustees on governance, compliance and accountability.
• Ensure EPI’s long-term financial sustainability, including fundraising, income diversification and sound financial management.
• Oversee budgets, risk management and operational performance.
• Support and develop a high-performing, inclusive and motivated team.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential Experience and Skills:

• Ensure EPI’s outputs influence policymakers, practitioners, and the media.
• Oversee the development of a robust research agenda aligned with EPI’s values and mission.
• Uphold high standards of methodological rigour and impartiality.
• Encourage innovation in research methods, data use and communication.

Desirable Experience:

• Serve as the public face and principal spokesperson for EPI.
• Represent EPI at conferences and advisory panels.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government departments, parliamentarians, funders, unions and school leaders, and the wider education community.
• Lead EPI’s media profile, responding at short notice to requests for expert comment and policy insight.

Leadership Attributes:

• Ensure EPI’s long-term financial sustainability, including fundraising, income diversification and sound financial management.
• Work closely with the Board of Trustees on governance, compliance and accountability.
• Support and develop a high-performing, inclusive and motivated team.
• Oversee budgets, risk management and operational performance.

Compensation & Benefits

• 30 days annual leave (plus public holidays and the period between
• Christmas and the New Year)
• Enhanced parental leave and family-friendly policies
• Cycle-to-work scheme

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Please submit a cover letter of no more than two pages, which explains why you are interested in the role, how your experience aligns with the person specification, and your vision for EPI over the next five years.
• If you would like an informal conversation with the Chair of Trustees, please contact Joni Kelly ([email protected]) to arrange a time
• Applications should be sent to: [email protected]

Interviews

• Shortlisting: We aim to shortlist in the week of 19th January 2026
• Final interviews: We aim to interview in early February 2026

Policies

EPI is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups in research and policy, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled candidates, and those with lived experience of educational disadvantage.

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