Chief Executive Officer

Salary £131,578 to £141,693

Location Central Office, St Austell, PL25 4FD

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.

The Vacancy

Wave Multi Academy Trust is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who will lead with purpose, compassion, and clarity, guiding the Trust into its next phase of growth and development. This is a role for a leader who values collaboration, places people at the heart of decision‑making, and understands the importance of shared success across diverse academies and communities. The Trust is committed to providing high‑quality education for children and young people with a wide range of needs, and the CEO will play a central role in shaping a future where every pupil is supported to thrive.

Working closely with the Trust Board, the CEO will bring a clear strategic vision that inspires confidence and empowers colleagues at every level. They will nurture a culture where staff feel valued, respected, and listened to, and where pupils and families experience a Trust that acts with empathy and integrity. Leading a skilled Executive Leadership Team, the CEO will promote open communication, shared accountability, and a consistent focus on improving outcomes for all children and young people.

Safeguarding will be central to the CEO’s leadership. As the strategic safeguarding lead, they will ensure that strong systems, rigorous practice, and a culture of vigilance are firmly embedded across all academies. They will also act as a visible advocate for the most vulnerable, ensuring that inclusivity and care remain at the core of the Trust’s work.

This role calls for a leader who brings optimism, sound judgement, and a solutions‑focused mindset to complex challenges. Through thoughtful, values‑driven leadership, the CEO will help ensure that Wave Multi Academy Trust continues to be a place where staff and pupils are supported, encouraged, and able to succeed.

Further information about the Trust and this role is provided in the full recruitment pack and job description, which are designed to support candidates in understanding the Trust’s expectations, priorities, and vision. Applicants are encouraged to review these documents to gain a comprehensive overview of the opportunity and the impact this role will have across the Trust.

Wave is dedicated to the safeguarding of children and Safer Recruitment Procedures will be followed. The position requires a satisfactory enhanced DBS check and we may carry out an online check.

For any general questions email mboyden@waveedu.org

Wave Trust: What we believe and what we do

Who We Are

Wave are an established and successful Multi Academy Trust, comprising of Alternative Provision Academies (APAs), Medical Academies (including Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s child and adolescent mental health unit ‘Sowenna’) and a Special Academy.

We provide education for vulnerable pupils aged 4 – 19 across Devon and Cornwall. The Trust has a national reputation for the delivery of outstanding pupil outcomes including enabling pupils to access the most appropriate education setting and transition to employment, training and higher or further education. The Trust educates over 1000 pupils and employs over 350 members of staff.

We Aim To

Provide a balanced and broad curriculum that promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.
Give access to the National Curriculum; provide opportunities for external accreditation, and, for those pupils with specific learning difficulties, effective and personalised programmes.
Ensure all pupils are supported to develop positive attitudes towards themselves and others. Promoting emotional well-being and self-esteem; helping our pupils to recognise their potential and work positively within their community.
We will respect all pupils and encourage them to become active participants in their own learning, develop confidence, independence, self-esteem and express their needs and desires.
Seek effective and positive working relationships with pupils’ families, schools and other agencies.
Enable effective outcomes for our pupils.

The Benefits

Health &
Wellbeing

Pension

Training &
Development

Employee Assistance
Programme

Cycle to
Work Scheme

Free
Parking

Pension Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Counselling
Occupational Health Services
Professional Development & Training
Salary depending on experience
Cycle to Work Scheme
Tech Scheme
Free Will Writing Benefit
Health & Wellbeing Champion
Company sick pay dependent on service
Free refreshments in workplaces

Our Values

Evidence shows that the values we embody empower young people to succeed; these are the values we are looking for when we recruit new staff or work with new stakeholders.

BE POSITIVE

We value positivity, no matter what the circumstances. It is our intention to stay constructive, optimistic and confident both for and with our young people and their families.

HAVE EMPATHY

We are kind, we have empathy. We consider the consequences of our decisions, large and small on those around us.

SHOW RESPECT

We conduct ourselves in ways that earn the trust of those around us. We respect each other and those we work with.

WORK AS ONE TEAM

We depend on teamwork and the relationships we have. When we work together we are stronger. Together we will achieve more.

BE INCLUSIVE

Everybody is treated fairly and equally; no-one is marginalised or left behind. We are inclusive, we embrace the human spirit. We value diversity of people and thought.