Diocesan Director of Education - Diocese of Derby

Diocesan Director of Education - Diocese of Derby - Derbyshire

£70,000 - £80,000 + Relocation support - Anglican - Head/Principal
Ref: 150 Date Posted: Tuesday 02 Jun 2026

Location: Derby (Hybrid working)
Contract Type: Full Time
Contract Term: Permanent 
Start Date: January 2027 or earlier

Come and help us offer our children and young people life in all its fullness

Emmaus Leadership have been retained by the Derby Diocesan Board of Education to manage the key appointment of a Director of Education within the diocese.

Derby DBE has oversight of 111 Church Schools across the diocese. Through the Director, Deputy Director and supported by the Senior Business & Operations Manager and Executive Assistant, the DBE works with vigour to support schools and the church to enable the delivery of a distinctive and excellent church school education; all within the context of an ever-changing educational landscape.

At Derby DBE we are tasked with developing an improved understanding of education as mission and realising the potential of our Church Schools in the Church’s ministry to young people.

We are looking to appoint a relational, strategic, gospel hearted and  enabling Director of Education  who works collaboratively to support the Diocesan Board of Education in its statutory role and to lead our work in Education.   You will play a key role in shaping educational strategy across the diocese, influencing schools, Multi Academy Trusts and wider partnerships, and contributing to diocesan leadership as a trusted and respected voice.

This role offers an amazing opportunity to influence and impact the lives of over 10,000 children each year. We aspire to hold a significant place locally, regionally and nationally where we can have influence for the greater good.

We are looking for someone with a:

  • Passion for serving children and young people through Church Schools
  • Strong track record as an inspiring Headteacher or MAT leader with a demonstrable understanding of how excellence in education can be enabled
  • Caring, pastoral approach to supporting our people working on the ‘front line’ in our schools
  • Drive for excellence and inspiring others to the principle of Christian distinctiveness in education

Now is a moment of real opportunity within the educational and Christian life of the diocese, which makes this post an extremely attractive and rewarding career opportunity. 

A requirement of the post is that applicants must be practising Christians.

Closing date: Monday 29 June at 12 Noon
Shortlisting: Tuesday 30 June
Interviews: Tuesday 7 July

For an initial informal chat please call Liam Dowds, our Emmaus Advising Consultant, on 01737 652 043 or email him at ldowds@emmausleadership.me for an Application pack.

All conversations will be held in the strictest confidence.

DO NOT APPLY ONLINE. ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL.

Derby DBE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

"This is the second time our Governing Board has used the services of Emmaus Leadership in the successful appointment of a new headteacher and we have no hesitation in recommending them to others."

Rosemary Johnson, Chair of Governors - Lowton CE High School

"I’m delighted with the way it went and the successful outcome (third SLT placement now!) helps confirm to Governors that your approach is right for these levels of appointment. It’s difficult to quantify the costs of recruiting and failing to get the right candidate ourselves - we’d only find out the true cost and also lost opportunities if we tried and failed. Altogether better to invest in getting it right first time, so thank you for all your hard work on this. The other side is the perception we leave with all candidates and I think we’ve worked together to do an excellent job (using your Assessment support). The communication, logistics and the care given I think is really important and Emmaus are a big part of that - you work as an extension of the school. I am fairly sure that all of the candidates will go away having had a great experience and that will help our reputation spread in a positive way."

Dave Cobb - School Business & Development Manager, Saint Cecilia's CE School, London

"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

"I approached Emmaus following our unsuccessful attempts to recruit Deputy DDEs for both Dioceses. They went on to source a far greater number of candidates of high calibre. I highly recommend Emmaus!"

Canon Carolyn Lewis, Director of Education - Diocese of Leicester and Diocese of Derby

"I cannot imagine a better service to fulfil the requirement of helping a Catholic school find a Head. I was impressed with the number and high quality of candidates sourced by Emmaus Leadership."

Marjorie Bannister, Chair - St Michael's Catholic College, London

"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

"Emmaus brings a level of professionalism, seen in other industry sectors, to church schools’ recruitment."

The Rt Rev Nick Baines - Anglican Bishop of Leeds

"…we also considered other external recruiters, but Emmaus were clear favourites in terms of their recruitment expertise and in-depth knowledge and appreciation of the catholic school’s sector."

Peter Giorgio, Director of Education, Nottingham Diocese

"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

"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

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