Job Description
Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Ipswich, IP1 1UQ
Diocesan Director of Education
£75k-£79k per annum
Full-time 35 hours per week
Permanent appointment from September 2026
Our mission is to support the 87 Church of England schools throughout Suffolk. As a diocese, we work closely with our schools which, together, educate 14,000 pupils. We are looking for an experienced education professional with successful senior leadership experience to lead our team from September, following the retirement of the current postholder. Based in Ipswich, but with travel throughout Suffolk, this post is both rewarding and varied and involves:
Providing a range of support, training and advice to Headteachers and Governors
Leading a small and highly effective team
Leading the work of the Diocesan Board of Education, developing policy as the national education landscape changes
Promoting education in Suffolk and representing the diocese as the lead on education
Working across the diocese more widely as a senior member of diocesan staff
Working with the Department for Education and local authority on a range of school issues
Working as part of a strong and supportive network of national and regional Directors of Education and with the Church of England s National Society for Education on policy development and issues
If you love schools and can demonstrate the following criteria we would love to hear from you:
Successful experience as a senior leader in education
Collaborative leadership and management skills
The ability to think strategically and solve problems creatively
A deep commitment to Church of England schools
We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Closing date: 9th February 2026 at 5pm
Interview date: 2nd March 2026
