Head of Destinations

Reports to: Director of Sixth Form

Start date: August or September 2026

Location: Currently operating hybrid working in our West London office

Contract: Permanent, Full time

Interviews will take place 21st & 22nd May 2026

The purpose of this role is to lead our network team and our schools in the next phase of our work on careers and destinations, you will build on our network strategy, oversee further codification and implementation of principles and approaches that ensure all Ark leavers, whether post-16 or post-18, are ready to progress to high-quality destinations that facilitate their career of choice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Curate and develop the messaging, goals and objectives for all destinations work within the Sixth Form and Destinations Team
• Develop strong working relationships at senior level across Ark, seeking out opportunities for collaboration and solving areas of tension or challenge
• Further develop our destinations strategy across all phases in primary and secondary, within our Sixth Form & Destinations Strategy, with particular focus on work in KS3 to KS5
• Build and maintain strong relationships with RDs, Principals and SLT responsible for destinations and CEIAG
• Maintain project plans for new initiatives: managing the research, pilot, launch and implementation phases of each

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of Gatsby Benchmarks and DfE expectations around careers advice and guidance for young people
• Experience & knowledge of post-18 destinations advice and guidance, gained from leadership of staff in a school or college context (or equivalent experience in the education sector)
• Line management and/or coaching experience, and experience of developing staff
• Experience of basic finance processes including budgeting and financial planning and successfully developing strategy and vision
• Experience of working with and influencing a range of senior stakeholders (e.g. Principals, Regional Directors or equivalent)

Qualification Criteria:

• Educated to degree level
• QTS (Desirable)
• Right to work in the U.K.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark's safer recruitment process, please click this link .

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.