Chief Executive Officer

National Association for Able Children in Education

About the Organisation

NACE is the UK’s leading charity that supports and champions the education of more able learners. With over 40 years of experience, NACE works with a diverse network of member schools, leaders in education, and practitioners to increase challenge for all learners. We believe that all young people, including the more able, are entitled to have the opportunity to develop their abilities without limits – no matter what barriers to learning they may face and no matter what school they attend.

About the role

The CEO will position NACE at the centre of school improvement for more able learners and, through a challenge for all approach, enhance the quality of education for all learners. The CEO will provide strategic leadership and direction to enable NACE to grow, to strengthen its national profile, build influential partnerships, and expand its membership base.

This is a senior leadership role requiring a high level of commitment, influence and strategic impact. The CEO will play a central role in enabling NACE to thrive, grow and contribute meaningfully to the national school improvement landscape.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide clear strategic direction in line with NACE’s mission and long-term vision.
• Lead the development of organizational strategy, ensuring relevance to the evolving education landscape and national priorities.
• Position NACE at the forefront of national thinking on high-quality policy, curriculum design and pedagogy for more able learners in the context of wider whole-school improvement.
• Identify opportunities to expand NACE’s influence, partnerships, and reach.

External Relations and Influence:

• Act as the primary ambassador for NACE with policymakers, system and school leaders, Ofsted, DfE, and wider sector organizations.
• Strengthen NACE’s national profile through strategic communication, presentations, and media engagement.
• Develop partnerships and alliances across education, charitable and commercial sectors.
• Promote the value of NACE membership, resources and services.

Membership Growth and Engagement:

• Drive a significant and sustainable increase in membership, targeting an ambitious growth trajectory.
• Ensure a coherent membership proposition that clearly articulates the benefits of NACE involvement.
• Work with stakeholders to expand reach, visibility and engagement across the sector.
• Identify new opportunities for growth, sponsorship and partnerships.

Organizational Leadership and Management:

• Lead, motivate and develop the central NACE team and wider associates.
• Ensure effective delegation, performance management and staff development.
• Lead an efficient and well-structured organization capable of delivering growth.
• Work collaboratively with trustees, support strong governance and compliance with charity regulations.

Financial and Commercial Management:

• Lead the financial planning and budgeting process to ensure sustainability.
• Identify commercial opportunities and potential income streams.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Oversee risk management, compliance and financial reporting.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Experience & Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of the UK schools sector, national education priorities and challenges.
• Proven success and demonstrable impact in education, school leadership or system leadership.
• Knowledge of the UK schools sector and school improvement.
• Experience in organizational leadership and delivering strategic outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Financial literacy and confidence in managing budgets.
• Experience in building partnerships and external relationships.

Desirable Experience & Knowledge:

• Knowledge of provision and research in the education of more/highly able learners.
• Experience in leading membership-based and charitable organizations.
• Experience delivering organizational growth or transformation.
• Experience in marketing, communications and public relations.
• Prior involvement in fundraising and sponsorship.
• Knowledge of the challenges faced by disadvantaged learners.

Skills and Attributes:

• Dynamic, inspiring and effective communicator.
• Strategic thinker able to articulate a compelling vision.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Commercial and entrepreneurial awareness.
• Highly self-motivated with resilience and drive.
• Committed to NACE’s mission and values.

Compensation & Benefits

• 6 weeks + public holidays per year

Working locations

• Hybrid (Regular in-person office presence required)
• Minimum commitment of three days per week equivalent

How to apply

• If you are interested in applying, please send your CV and an expression of interest to our Company Secretary, Steve Clarke, at [email protected] by noon on Friday, 23rd January 2026.

Interviews

• Online interviews will take place on the 5th and 6th of February, with in-person interviews during the week commencing Monday, 16th February.
• The interview process will involve current Board members, so you will have the opportunity to meet some of the people with whom you could be working in the future.

Policies

We are committed to fair, inclusive, and bias-aware recruitment. If you need adjustments at any stage or the information in a different format, please let us know. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and career paths; selection is based on evidence against the criteria in the person specification.

NACE is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. Consequently, Board members are simultaneously Trustees of the charity and directors of the company. The Memorandum and Articles of Association are the primary governing documents of the charitable company. 

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