Managing Director

Shine is a growing alternative provision and mentoring organisation supporting children and young people who struggle in mainstream education. We exist to change and save lives through education, combining structure, care and opportunity in a safe, nurturing environment.

To change and save lives through education. Creating a safe, inspiring space where every young person feels seen, supported and empowered to become the best version of themselves.

To deliver high-quality alternative provision that transforms young lives through education, wellbeing support and strong relationships, while building a sustainable and respected organisation that creates long‑term impact.

This is a senior executive leadership role with a strong business and growth focus.

• Lead Shine’s strategic direction, growth and brand
• Strengthen Shine’s market position with commissioners and partners
• Build high‑performing teams and leadership capacity
• Ensure financial sustainability and strong governance
• Retain full accountability for safeguarding, quality and operational oversight
• Directly line‑manage the Head of Provision, providing strategic guidance, support, and accountability

This role is ideal for a leader who understands how to grow a mission‑driven organisation and can balance commercial thinking with social purpose.

• Lead Shine’s overall business strategy, ensuring sustainable growth aligned to mission and values.
• Position Shine as a trusted, high‑quality alternative provision through strong branding, reputation management and market presence.
• Develop and deliver a clear growth plan.
• Lead marketing and business development activity, ensuring Shine’s offer is clearly communicated to commissioners and partners.
• Identify and develop new service opportunities, funding streams and income generation models.
• Act as the public face of Shine, representing the organisation confidently and professionally.
• Hold full executive responsibility for budgets, forecasting, cash flow and financial sustainability.
• Ensure Shine operates within budget and delivers value for money.
• Lead pricing models, placement fees and contract negotiations.
• Monitor financial performance and risks, taking proactive action where required.
• Present clear financial reporting and analysis to the CEO.

• Lead and develop a high‑performing, values‑driven staff team.
• Demonstrate exceptional people management skills, including setting clear expectations, performance management, coaching and development, managing change and growth.
• Build leadership capacity within the organisation, delegating operational responsibility while maintaining accountability.
• Foster a positive, inclusive culture focused on wellbeing, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the development of appraisal systems that support staff motivation, performance, and retention, ensuring Shine attracts and develops top talent.

• Retain full executive oversight of operational delivery across Shine’s provision.
• Ensure robust systems are in place to manage placements and admissions, staffing and delivery models, safeguarding and risk management, reporting and performance tracking.
• Use data and KPIs to monitor performance and drive improvement.
• Ensure Shine remains inspection‑ready and contract‑compliant at all times.

• Oversee organisational risk management including safeguarding systems, health & safety, behaviour and risk planning, data protection.
• Ensure safe recruitment, training and supervision are consistently applied by head of provision.

• Work closely with the CEO to support strong governance, transparency and accountability.
• Provide high‑quality reporting on performance, finance, risk and impact.
• Represent Shine at strategic forums and networks.
• Provide oversight and support to the Head of Provision to ensure responsibilities are fulfilled to a consistently high standard.

• Strategic and commercial mindset.
• Strong communicator and influencer.
• Financially literate and data‑driven, with the ability to use IT systems for reporting, analysis, and decision‑making.
• Values‑led with strong personal integrity.
• Resilient, adaptable and growth‑focused.
• Experience with in education sector.
• Teaching or school leadership background.
• Experience of local authority commissioning, tenders or frameworks.
• Qualification in leadership and management.

Full Time role, 7 weeks holiday per year

Salary- £62,500 per annum + yearly bonus based on targets