The Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham Multi Academy Trust (SNMAT) is a Church of England multi-academy trust providing high quality education within the diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, currently comprising 21 primary schools (including one school with no faith designation) and 3 secondary schools (2 with Sixth Forms).
SNMAT is now entering an exciting new phase, as we evolve our governance, structure and leadership. As a Trust we are looking for leadership that is both creative and steady—challenging while strengthening support and confidence, sustaining momentum without overloading school leaders, offering focused inspection support, and ensuring clarity through open, transparent communication.
We therefore seek an inspirational and strategic CEO who will steer SNMAT into our future with creativity, resilience, and pragmatism—bringing alongside all of our stakeholders as we embark on this journey together, with the support of our high-performing teams across the Trust.
Applications from both practising Christians and those committed to protecting and enhancing the Trust’s distinctive Christian identity and ethos are warmly welcomed.
If you share our values and are motivated by the opportunity to lead our Trust, we would love to hear from you.
Closing: Mon 11 May at 5pm
Shortlisting: Wed 13 May
Interviews: Thu 21 and Fri 22 May
In the first instance, please call Liam Dowds, our Emmaus Advising Consultant (in complete confidence) on 01737 652 043 or email him at ldowds@emmausleadership.me for a candidate pack and application form.
DO NOT APPLY ONLINE. ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL.
SNMAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and all applicants are expected to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks, including satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.
"Thank you for everything you did to successfully support our recruitment of an outstanding Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. Using Emmaus Leadership to manage the recruitment to the post was much debated and was the subject of intense scrutiny by our Governing Body who were somewhat reluctant to use a leadership recruitment specialist. However, their confidence was reinstated as a result of your professional approach, your insightful knowledge and the resulting candidate pool produced for both appointments. I have no hesitation in recommending Emmaus to other schools."
Annie Sutton - Executive Principal, St Joseph's RC Specialist School and College
"We had been cold called by a few other companies but chose Emmaus as it specialised in Church schools. We were impressed by Liam and his team coming to the school and burrowing in to what the school wanted and needed. He asked searching questions and we were satisfied this was the way forward. I had not been a fan of head hunters before, but I have to say this process and its result was a hugely better experience than going out on our own and was totally professional throughout."
Bridget Prentice, Chair of Governors - Trinity School, Lewisham
"We came across Emmaus by accident after our own attempts to recruit a Headteacher failed. We would not hesitate to engage them again to find a suitable candidate for a leadership position."
Michael Tennant - Chairman of the Board, St Edward's School
"Emmaus brings a level of professionalism, seen in other industry sectors, to church schools’ recruitment."
The Rt Rev Nick Baines - Anglican Bishop of Leeds
"Could we afford it? My belief, as Chair was that we couldn’t afford not to. We needed strong school leaders to be drawn to apply. Our success was down to using Emmaus and definitely money well spent."
Carry Lynott - Chair of Governors, Our Lady and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School, Bradford
"From prospective applicant through to newly appointed CEO at Tenax Schools Trust, I cannot speak highly enough of the services provide by Emmaus. I recommend Emmaus Leadership without reservation."
Mark Cole, Chief Executive Officer - Tenax Schools Trust
"We tried going it alone to find a CEO for our MAT but had only 2 applicants who didn't meet our requirements. We approached Emmaus and from the start their professionalism was reassuring."
Barry Leyland, Chair - Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust
"We are delighted with the appointment we made and I have reported to the whole community that we could not have been more thorough in the search or more rigorous in the selection process. Thank you Emmaus Leadership."
Jacqui Feely, Chair at All Hallows Catholic College, Macclesfield
"Having previously struggled to recruit two Headteachers - for both a Primary and a Secondary school - Emmaus came to the rescue. Their expert advice and deep understanding of recruiting Headship positions in Catholic schools is invaluable, and I have no hesitation in recommending their knowhow and their values."
Fr David Gibbons, Chair of Governors & Parish Priest, Archdiocese of Southwark
"I would thoroughly recommend Emmaus for any diocese or MAT seeking to appoint at a senior level in Catholic Education. Should we need help in the future...I would be confident in using Emmaus again."
Bishop Alan Williams sm - Diocese of Brentwood