Chief Executive Officer

The Sixth Form Colleges Trust, Colchester, CO1 1SN

32 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  9 January 2026 at 10:59pm

• Date listed

  8 December 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £120,000.00 - £160,000.00 Annually (FTE)

Chief Executive Officer job summary

• Permanent, Full time - the Trust would also welcome part -time applicants (min 3 days per week)
• Flexible/hybrid working - the successful candidate can be home based, with an expectation to spend time at each college subject to need, or choose to work from either College location.

Long Road Sixth Form College; Long Road, Cambridge, CB2 8PX

The Sixth Form College Colchester; North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1SN

The Sixth Form Colleges Trust is a new, post-16 multi-academy trust co-created in 2024 by two successful sixth form colleges: The Sixth Form College, Colchester and Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge. Our Trust evolved from the fruitful collaboration between the colleges and from our shared belief that we are stronger, more resilient and creative together. We share a passion for sixth form college education and we want to preserve and enhance both colleges for many generations to come.

This vacancy has arisen due the planned retirement of our current Chief Executive, Yolanda Botham, who has taken a leading role in the creation of our Trust and its initial development.

We are determined to improve the life chances of all our young people. Our purpose is exceptional education. Our aim is to develop ever more effective strategies to reduce disadvantage and enable every student to thrive. The principle of inclusivity underpins our Trust.

Purpose:

The CEO will be key in shaping the strategic vision and values of the Trust and provide strategic vision and leadership, promoting excellence in all areas of Trust work. The CEO needs to have a clear vision of where the Trust is going, and the ability to motivate senior management and other staff to always deliver their best. Through their work, they will lead the Sixth Form Colleges Trust through the next stage in its evolution, continuing a culture of constant improvement, by providing inspirational leadership, ensuring the Trust provides the best experience for our students, staff and volunteers.

The CEO has delegated responsibility for the day to day strategic, civic and operational leadership and management of all aspects of the Trusts activities. In turn the CEO, delegates responsibility for specific aspects of the Trusts operations to members of an effective and strong Executive Leadership Team that comprises of a Chief Finance Officer, College Principals and the Director of Human Resources. The Executive Leadership Team are responsible for their own respective portfolios, and are accountable, via the CEO, to the Board of Trustees.

The Trust operates in the 16 - 19 age sector and comprises sixth form colleges (the “MAT”). Genuine partnership work will enable the Trust to become a national leader in teaching and learning, demonstrated through learner engagement and indicators of educational success.

Responsible to: The chair of The Sixth Form Colleges Trust

Accountable to: The Board of Trustees, The Sixth Form Colleges Trust ("The Trust")

The successful candidate will have:

Substantial experience at a strategic, senior management level within a post 16 setting.

A strong track record of achieving continuous and sustained improvement in education standards and outcomes

A proven track record of managing strategic, operational, financial, reputational and compliance risks, including health and safety and safeguarding

An in-depth understanding and experience of pedagogy and curriculum development both academic and vocational

Key Dates:

Deadline to submit applications: Friday 9th January 2026

Interviews: to be held on Tuesday 20th and / or Wednesday 21st January 2026

Potential applicants are also welcome and encouraged to visit the college sites prior to the interview process

Please contact our recruitment partner Luke O’Neill at Morgan Hunt, luke.oneill@morganhunt.com or 07545088105 for a private and confidential discussion about the opportunity. Morgan Hunt can also arrange for an informal conversation with the Chair or current Chief Executive with regards to the post before considering your application

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Sixth Form Colleges Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-sixth-form-colleges-trust

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