Options Assistant Director - South

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

You'll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

JOB TITLE: Options Assistant Director - South

SALARY: up to £95,000 per annum plus car allowance

LOCATION: Remote (travel across the region required)

HOURS: Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours

Options Autism is part of Outcomes First Group - the leading provider of world-class education.

We exist to provide every child with access to an exceptional education tailored to their individual abilities and aspirations.

Our education provision spans both mainstream and specialist, ensuring that every learner receives the tailored support they need to thrive in the most suitable environment.

JOB PURPOSE:

As an Options Assistant Director you will lead and develop our portfolio of schools in the South, playing a pivotal role in our journey to consistently outstanding quality of service.

You will drive all elements of school performance overseeing budgets and growth with a focus on quality of service. By leading our Headteachers you will deliver school business plans covering pupil progress and achievement, pupil occupancy, health and safety, regulatory compliance, cost management, growth, staff engagement and development and profit growth.

You will:

• Champion the best possible outcomes for children in our schools
• Provide strong leadership based on a clear vision
• Delivery of school performance: pupil outcomes, quality standards, financial targets
• Monitor performance of the schools using the full range of quantitative and qualitative information
• Undertake cross divisional projects, as agreed with the Managing Director
• Ensure best practice is transferred between school settings
• Develop internal and external relationships to further the improvement of the schools and group
• Provide support, training and development for all staff within your portfolio
• Act as a School Governor (and Chair of Governors) within the portfolio as required

Essential

• An experienced educational professional (with relevant professional qualifications) who has experience of leading school/s through Ofsted inspections
• Experience of leading a portfolio of SEMH or ASC special schools
• Management of budgets
• Management of diverse staff group

We are looking for a strong leader with clarity of vision and an experienced educational professional with a track record of leading schools and improving outcomes. You will have led SEMH or ASC schools and balanced significant budgets.

You must be able to manage a diverse group of employees by challenging, coaching and mentoring. It is essential you can influence at all levels of the organisation and share your extensive knowledge and understanding of SEN education and care. Multi-site leadership not essential, but preferred.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Demonstrable commercial awareness
• Demonstrable financial awareness
• Demonstrable wide, current knowledge and understanding of SEN, education and school systems locally and nationally
• Excellent communication skills, particularly with regard to communicating at a senior level both within and outside of the organisation
• Strong team working skills
• High-level leadership and motivational skills

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.

Our Vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils' potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our Promise

We Listen.

We never assume.

We work together.

To make the remarkable happen.

We are accountable.

To each other and for one another.

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people.