Professional Development Lead

Job title: Professional Development Lead

Location: Hybrid working – some travel will be required to all schools within our Trust

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week, all year round

Salary: ALT Grade J – £45,092 – £49,283

We’re looking for an experienced Learning and Development professional who’s passionate about people, driven by purpose, and ready to lead the way in professional development across our growing family of schools.

As our new Professional Development Lead, you’ll help shape a culture where every colleague can thrive. You’ll design and lead bold, inclusive, and forward-thinking development opportunities that focus on what really matters: great leadership, meaningful support, and long-term impact. You will be focused on driving school improvement across our Trust.

We’re a Trust that puts people first. That means investing in professional growth, welcoming fresh perspectives, and building a sense of belonging across our schools. This isn’t about box-ticking CPD. It’s about real, relevant development that makes a difference — for every person, in every role.

Whilst applications from those with experience in the education sector are welcomed, it is not essential. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, lead with integrity and bring energy and commitment to our Trust’s values.

This role could be a great fit if you:

• Have proven experience designing, leading and evaluating impactful CPD programmes and professional learning strategies
• Have excellent communication and storytelling skills — the ability to bring the Trust’s development offer to life
• Have an interest in contributing to research-informed practice
• Know how to build positive relationships and work with a wide range of people
• Can think strategically and act practically — with a solutions-focused mindset
• Value collaboration, curiosity and creativity
• Are passionate about lifelong learning and empowering others to reach their potential

Why join us?

You’ll join a Trust that genuinely values people — their experiences, ideas and aspirations. You’ll be part of a supportive and thoughtful team that takes development seriously, but keeps things friendly, flexible and grounded in reality.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of professional development for our Trust. If you’re passionate about developing people, driving improvement, working collaboratively in a values-led organisation and you have the relevant experience – we want to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity, please contact Emma Plane, Head of Recruitment and Resourcing (recruitment@activelearningtrust.org or 07470229716)

The Active Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. We expect all staff to actively share this commitment. All adults working in our Trust in whatever capacity will be part of a thorough safer recruitment process. All appointments will be subject to pre-employment checks including the taking of satisfactory references and enhanced criminal record clearance in line with the need to create and maintain a safe culture.

The Active Learning Trust reserves the right to interview and appoint prior to the advert closing date. With this in mind, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

To ensure we recruit and retain the best talent, all new employees recruited to the Active Learning Trust (leadership, teaching and support staff) will be subject to a 6 months’ probation period at the start of their employment (except for Early Career Teachers who are subject to a Statutory Induction Period). This policy aims to assess new employees’ alignment with our culture, teaching standards, and student needs. It is designed to foster success; with regular evaluations and support mechanisms in place, helping us to identify and nurture talent.

We value diversity and welcome applications from all, including those with protected characteristics under the Equality Act. Flexible working will be considered for all roles deemed suitable.