Senior Manager UK Visa Sponsorship

Job Description

Make a Countywide Difference in SEND Education

Are you an experienced education leader with the vision, expertise and determination to improve outcomes for children and young people?

We are looking for an outstanding leader to join our Education Division and take strategic responsibility for our Specialist Teaching Services. This is an influential role within the local authority, offering the opportunity to shape countywide priorities and strengthen inclusive education for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities.

Working as part of the SEND leadership team, you will report directly to the Head of Education: SEND. You will also contribute to the wider education leadership team and play a central role in delivering our ambition for high-quality, inclusive education across the county.

The Role

You will provide strategic and operational leadership for specialist teaching provision, ensuring that children and young people who experience significant barriers to accessing education receive the appropriate teaching, support and opportunities to succeed.

The post also carries responsibility for the local authority’s central teaching teams. You will lead service development, oversee delivery and help ensure that specialist provision continues to evolve in response to the needs of children, young people, families and education settings.

A major part of your work will be focused on improving outcomes, strengthening service quality and ensuring that statutory responsibilities relating to SEND are met effectively.

Your Main Responsibilities

As Head of Specialist Teaching Services, you will:

– Provide strong strategic direction for specialist teaching provision across the county.
– Ensure services meet the local authority’s statutory responsibilities for children and young people with additional and special educational needs and disabilities.
– Lead the continued development and delivery of specialist teaching services.
– Oversee central teaching teams and ensure effective use of people, budgets and other resources.
– Monitor performance, identify areas requiring improvement and take decisive action where necessary.
– Work closely with schools, education leaders, children’s services, health partners, families and other organisations.
– Develop productive partnerships that promote joined-up support for children and young people.
– Lead large and varied teams while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
– Maintain a clear focus on securing better educational outcomes for children and young people.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a confident and inspirational education professional who can combine strategic thinking with effective leadership.

You should be able to demonstrate:

– Significant leadership experience within education.
– A strong understanding of specialist education and SEND provision.
– Experience of using performance information and data to identify priorities and deliver improvement.
– The ability to address underperformance constructively and achieve measurable improvements.
– Experience managing large, complex or multi-disciplinary teams.
– Strong partnership and communication skills, with the confidence to work across organisational boundaries.
– Resilience, enthusiasm and the determination to deliver meaningful change.
– High levels of integrity and a strong commitment to improving the lives and educational experiences of children and young people.
– A successful track record of improving services and outcomes.

Find Out More

For full details about the position, including the complete requirements for the role, please review the Job Description and Person Specification.

You will need to submit your application through the Apply Now option, including your CV and a Supporting Statement.

Your Supporting Statement will play an important role in the shortlisting process. Make sure you clearly demonstrate how your experience, knowledge and skills meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Relevant professional experience, education and other appropriate life or personal experience may all be considered.

Additional guidance is available through the organisation’s how to apply information and its statement regarding the use of AI.

Selection Process

Interviews are scheduled to take place in person on Friday 25 September 2026 at County Hall, Lewes.

The selection process will include:

– A formal interview with a panel.
– Data analysis and prioritisation exercises.
– The opportunity to meet key colleagues and gain a better understanding of the service.

Candidates who meet specified eligibility criteria may receive priority during the shortlisting process. Further information is available through the organisation’s priority status guidance.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to take on a senior leadership position where your decisions can influence specialist education provision across the county.

You will join a wider education leadership team committed to inclusion, improvement and better outcomes, while working alongside professionals and partner organisations who share a strong commitment to supporting children and young people.

A range of employee benefits is also available to support you throughout your employment. Further information can be found on the organisation’s benefits information page.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you have the leadership experience, professional expertise and ambition to guide Specialist Teaching Services through its next stage of development, we would welcome your application.

Additional Information

– DBS Requirement: This position requires an Enhanced DBS check, or an Enhanced DBS check for Regulated Activity, through the Disclosure and Barring Service. This organisation was formerly known as the Criminal Records Bureau. Further details about the DBS process are available through the UK Government’s guidance.

– Overseas Checks: If you have previously lived or worked outside the UK, you may also be required to provide an appropriate overseas police or criminal record check.

– Part-Time and Term-Time Roles: Where the position is offered on a part-time or term-time basis, the advertised salary will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis to reflect your working hours.

– Right to Work and Sponsorship: Applicants who need visa sponsorship to work in the UK should mention this when submitting their application. The recruitment team will then assess whether sponsorship may be available for the position and whether you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

– Reasonable Adjustments: We are committed to ensuring that candidates can participate fairly throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please contact the hiring manager using the contact information provided in the vacancy.