Regional Head of Schools

We have a rare opportunity for a Senior Education Practitioner to join our successful and growing British international schools’ group, as Regional Head of Schools. 

This is an outstanding opportunity to join us at an exciting stage of our development and support our continued growth. It would suit an experienced senior school leader with extensive experience in a variety of international school settings. In particular, we seek candidate with experience of bilingual education.

About the Group

Orbital Education https://orbitaled.com/  is an expanding group of international schools across the globe, catering for students between the ages of 3 and 18 years.

The Group is now home to nine successful schools with a tenth opening in 2022, providing enriched learning opportunities to almost 4,000 young people from over 114 different nationalities across the world. We are spread globally from Latin America, though Europe and the Middle East to East Asia, in some of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities across the world.

We ensure that the highest standards are delivered with the support of Orbital experts and through accreditation bodies such as the Council of International Schools (CIS).

As an ambitious, growing, and entrepreneurial Group, we can offer the successful candidate a platform to further their career, within a fast paced and constantly expanding environment. We rate hard work, aspiration, creative thinking, collegiality, and personal integrity very highly, and seek such traits in any successful applicant.

About the Role

The Regional Head of Schools will report to Group CEO, sitting on the Governing Board of a designated number of schools across the Group, and working closely with our Principals to support school development. This is a new post to support expansion and will work closely alongside two established Regional Head of Schools, with responsibility for different areas of the Group. 

The role purpose is to ensure that these schools deliver high-quality education and improve academic attainment for all students, within a framework of good governance, management practice, and the commercial objectives of the Group. 

The Regional Head of Schools will also drive specific initiatives in particular areas across the Group and support new acquisitions and start-ups. The role will be crucial to ensuring that the Group delivers outstanding outcomes, by ensuring excellent line management of Principals, overseeing the delivery of quality management systems, delivering on a range of KPI’s and facilitating the sharing of best practice.

Who are we looking for?

The ideal candidate will be an ambitious, forward thinking, innovative practitioner, with senior level experience, excellent knowledge, and passion for education. 

With experience of working with school Boards, they will be able to demonstrate achievement in enhancing the academic performance of a school, improving its management practices, and achieving its financial objectives. Substantial experience working in an international school environment will be important and responsibility for operating safeguarding and safer recruitment is essential. Experience of bilingual education or the integration of international curriculum and English language with national programmes is an additional requirement of this post.

You should be used to being accountable for outcomes and meeting financial targets, with a proven ability to lead and inspire teams. You should be able to work collaboratively, be an adept problem solver, and have the confidence to take responsibility and communicate effectively. Commercial knowledge gained in education, or a for-profit business is also desirable.

Working for the Orbital Group is an exciting and interesting opportunity. The role requires regular attendance at the UK Head Office in Cheadle Hulme, Manchester, and significant and regular overseas travel. A flexible approach to home / office working is available when not travelling overseas. 

The package on offer will include:

• Comprehensive induction

• Continuous Professional Development

• A competitive salary

• Contributory Pension

• 25 days holiday

Why join us?

You will be joining a strong, experienced, and award-winning team, with specialist expertise across key areas of school management and business support. Working closely with your colleagues and the Board of Directors you will be provided with significant opportunity to share and develop your expertise. 

Key reasons to join include:

• Becoming part of a global community, collaborating with influential individuals and leaders worldwide, who have a wide range of expertise in both the international school market and business operations.

• Travel opportunities to engage with colleagues, business contacts, and networks of influential leaders across the globe.

• Opportunities for professional growth and continuous improvement in practice.

In recent years, the Orbital Group has received several business accolades recognising our success, experience, growth, and development.

The Group was honoured to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, one of the most prestigious business awards in the UK. The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services.

Orbital Education was also included in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 list for 2018, a ranking of Britain’s Fastest growing companies across international markets. We were also recognised by the London Stock Exchange Group as one of the 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain for two years running.

How to apply

Interested candidates should download and read the role profile and person specification. 

Applications should include your up-to-date CV, a recent head and shoulders colour photograph, and details of two referees, including your most recent employer. In a covering letter, applicants should highlight how their experience, knowledge, and skills match those of the ideal candidate as set out above and within the role profile. In your application please also detail your availability, and when you would be available to start. 

Applications should be submitted to: recruitment@orbitaled.com 

Interviews will commence on a rolling basis from December 2021 onwards until the post is filled.  We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment, as the application process may close once the right candidate is found.

Should you require any additional information, or clarification in respect of any aspect of this advertisement and/or the position, please contact Andy Edgar (Group HR Manager) on +44 (0)161 250 1755

Orbital Education is committed to safeguarding children and young people. All post-holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS (in the UK) or Criminal Records (Police Check) disclosure from their most recent country(ies) of residence.