Contract: Permanent
Salary Range: £135,821– £170,958
Hours per week: Full-time – 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
Location: Head Office at Bakewell / Derby Cathedral School and other schools within the Trust
Reports to: DDAT Trustees
DDAT is a multi-academy trust established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby. DDAT is committed to providing high-quality education for all children in its academies, based on clearly established Christian values and principles.
Due to the retirement of the current CEO, DDAT Trustees are seeking a Chief Executive Officer who will provide highly effective leadership and take DDAT into the next stage of its development and future growth.
The successful candidate will have considerable senior-level experience, both strategically and operationally, with a proven track record of successfully supporting schools and building strong professional relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
The CEO will be accountable for the performance of all our schools and will be a driven and ambitious leader who empowers others within the Trust. It is essential that the successful candidate can demonstrate their commitment to the vision, values and ethos of DDAT.
As well as an alignment with our vision, values and ethos, the successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A successful history of organisational development in a leadership role within the education sector.
- Familiarity with good business practices, including business planning, compliance, risk management, quality assurance and governance.
- Experience of effectively managing a complex and varied workload.
- An understanding of good governance and the ability to work successfully with a Board of Trustees.
- The ability to support, challenge and work in co-production with senior colleagues and executive teams, whilst displaying empathy and purpose.
- Highly effective and resilient leadership, with a passion for developing others.
- A proven ability to embrace a marketing role as the face of DDAT.
- The ability to hold high expectations and successfully contribute to the Trust’s mission to provide high-quality education for all children, based on clearly established Christian values and principles.
In return, DDAT will offer you:
- An opportunity to work as part of a supportive team.
- A competitive salary and LGPS pension contributions.
- Ongoing high-quality professional development opportunities.
- Benefits including, but not limited to, free onsite parking at Bakewell Head Office, Cycle to Work Scheme, free eye tests and a contribution towards a pair of glasses for employees using VDUs, an Employee Assistance Programme and an opportunity to work flexibly.
For more information and to apply for the role, please visit www.joinddat.co.uk
- Closing Date: Tuesday 3rd November 2026 at 9am
- Shortlisting Date: Monday 9th November 2026
- Interview Date: Tuesday the 24th and Wednesday the 25th of November
To arrange an informal, confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Jenna Everett on 01744 634654 or email Log in to view email
Please note that all candidates must have a right to work in the UK in order to be able to work at our Trust. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for international job applicants
SAFEGUARDING
DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.
DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).
