Associate Director (Schools)

PF Global give advice built on deep sector expertise, underpinned by global opinion and economic research, so you can win the arguments that will decide your future.

We are oriented around the debates that will matter most to the future, where the intersection of policy, politics, and regulation will decide what happens. We will tell you honestly what is politically possible (and what is not) and then help make your case by building the research, the story and the campaign that goes with it.

You’ll work alongside colleagues with diverse skills, gain exposure to senior clients, and have real opportunities to develop your career as part of our ambitious and supportive team.

Education at PF Global

Education sits at the centre of some of the biggest political and social debates in the UK. It is also one of PF Global's defining strengths. We work with schools and multi-academy trusts, charities and foundations, businesses and government to understand the challenges facing education, develop policy and shape national debate.

Our team brings together expertise in research, policy, politics and strategy. Many of our senior team have worked at the heart of government, advising Prime Ministers, Education Secretaries and Schools Ministers. We combine that experience with research that takes us into schools and communities across the country, hearing directly from the people whose lives policy affects.

Our Schools Team leads an ambitious and varied programme of work. Recent projects include the Commission into Countering Online Conspiracies in Schools, the Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, the Parent Voice Project, research into attitudes to the attendance crisis, exclusions and our work on the National Tutoring Programme. We also advise organisations across the sector on their strategy, policy priorities and engagement with government.

The Schools Team sits within a wider practice spanning higher education, skills and social policy.

The role

We are recruiting an Associate Director to help lead and grow out our Schools Team, working closely with our Director of Schools Team and senior colleagues across PF Global.

There is an opportunity to take substantial responsibility for research and strategy projects on some of the biggest questions facing England's schools. You will help decide which questions to ask, develop clear arguments and practical recommendations, and work with clients and policymakers to turn evidence into action.

You will lead major projects, build trusted relationships with senior clients, manage and develop colleagues, and generate new ideas for work. You will have scope to shape our schools portfolio and build your own profile in education policy.

This is a demanding, varied role with considerable autonomy. You will manage several projects at different stages, respond to changing priorities well and maintain high standards when deadlines are tight. You will also stay closely involved with delivery: conducting research, interpreting evidence, writing reports and proposals, and presenting findings. We are looking for someone who enjoys both developing ideas and doing the detailed work needed to make them convincing.

What you will do

• Lead major research and policy projects. Take responsibility from the initial brief through to publication and engagement, setting direction, coordinating colleagues, and ensuring work is rigorous, high quality, useful and delivered on time.
• Turn evidence into clear and credible policy proposals. Frame research questions, work with our research specialists to design appropriate approaches, lead research activities and interpret findings. Write and edit reports, briefings and recommendations that stand up to scrutiny.
• Advise senior clients. Understand their objectives, provide sound strategic advice, handle challenge confidently, and build relationships through consistently excellent work and a warm, collaborative approach.
• Help our work influence policy and debate. Develop engagement plans, present findings, lead discussions with senior stakeholders and represent PF Global in meetings and at events.
• Manage and develop colleagues. Set clear expectations, delegate effectively, give constructive feedback, and take responsibility for the quality of your team's work. Help colleagues build their skills, confidence and independence.
• Develop new work and help grow the team. Identify important questions and opportunities, build relationships with prospective clients, and contribute to proposals and pitches. Develop projects with clear objectives, realistic budgets, and achievable plans.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with substantial relevant experience and the expertise, judgement and ambition to take on a senior role in the team.

You might currently work in government, in Parliament, a multi-academy trust, a charity or foundation, a think tank, a regulator, research or consultancy. We welcome different professional backgrounds, provided you can demonstrate a strong understanding of schools policy and a record of delivering substantial work.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Strong knowledge of the English school system. You understand major policy debates and the practical realities facing schools, trusts, staff and families. You bring depth in relevant areas and can get to grips with unfamiliar issues quickly.
• Intellectual curiosity and independent judgement. You ask good questions, test assumptions and weigh competing arguments. You can identify what matters in a complex problem and develop proposals that take account of evidence, politics and implementation.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills. You can turn complex material into a clear, compelling argument and adapt your writing for different audiences. You are comfortable drafting substantial reports and proposals yourself, and improving others' work.
• Confidence working with research. You can interpret quantitative and qualitative evidence, recognise its limitations, and develop conclusions that the findings support. You can work effectively with specialist researchers and link their analysis to policy and practice.
• A strong record of delivery . You can lead complex projects, manage competing demands, and maintain attention to detail. You take ownership, anticipate problems, and know when to make a decision or seek advice.
• Credibility with senior stakeholders. You communicate clearly, build trust, and are willing to offer constructive challenge. You can lead a discussion with senior clients, policymakers or school leaders and respond thoughtfully to difficult questions.
• The ability to get the best from colleagues. You combine high expectations with practical support, give clear feedback, and contribute to a happy and collaborative team.
• An interest in building our business. You can recognise where our expertise would be valuable and help turn an idea into a useful, deliverable project. Previous experience of winning work is welcome, but we also encourage applicants who can demonstrate relevant skills from other settings.

What the role offers

You will join an experienced, hard-working, supportive, passionate team with strong relationships across education and government, working on issues that matter to schools and families. You will have direct contact with senior clients and policymakers, opportunities to lead high profile work, and support from colleagues with deep research, policy and political expertise.

We want someone who will bring their own ideas, challenge our thinking, and help shape what the Schools Team does next.

Location and Salary

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and particularly encourage applications from candidates with disabilities and candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds.

We operate a hybrid working model, with a mix of home and office working. Our main office is based in Embankment. Many of us, including the founders, have young children and we work hard to be genuinely family-friendly.

Salary will depend on experience. For this role we expect salary to range from £62,000-75,000 for an Associate Director, depending on candidate experience.

We also offer a bonus programme, 5% pension contribution, 25 days annual leave, and private healthcare.

Closing date: 26 October 2026

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