Job Description

Job Title: General Secretary
Location: Home-based, Scotland.
Salary: Salary is paid on a three-point salary scale from 393,189 395,497 397,867 pa
Job Type: Full time, Permanent.
Closing date for applications: Friday 25th April 2025.
Our current General Secretary, Graham Hutton, will retire at the end of August 2025 and we are now seeking to appoint an outstanding individual to lead the Association from that point. SLS represents Principal Teachers, Depute Headteachers, Resource/Business Managers and Headteachers in Secondary schools throughout Scotland.
As a professional association, SLS has influence at the highest levels and therefore the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the future of Secondary education in Scotland.
The successful candidate will have considerable experience of leading in a Secondary school. We are looking for a dynamic individual whose principal interest is the education and wellbeing of the nations young people and the leaders who serve them.
The start date is August 2025 (or by negotiation) and the appointment is for an initial term of 5 years, which may be extended by negotiation. Salary is paid on a three-point salary scale from 393,189 395,497 397,867 pa, with reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses.
Post purpose:
The General Secretary leads all strategic aspects of SLS work, setting the vision for the organisation and steering it towards that future. They are responsible to the Elected Officers, who are SLS members, and through them to the Executive and Council. Ultimately, the General Secretary is responsible for effectively:

• Ensuring members are provided with professional advice and support
• Developing the policies of the Association
• Influencing the national educational agenda
• Leading and managing the work of the Association.

Providing professional advice and support to members:
The General Secretary is a source of information, counsel, help and advice to members across the whole range of professional aspects of being a school leader in Scotland. In this the General Secretary is well supported by the National Officer.
Developing the policies of the Association:
The General Secretary leads SLS Council in the strategic development of the policies of the Association. SLS has an increasing membership including all levels of senior leaders, both teaching and support staff, in state and independent schools. Therefore, sensitivity to the views of the whole membership is essential.
Influencing the national education agenda:
The General Secretary, working collaboratively with the Executive, plays an essential role in leading the national education agenda. The General Secretary promotes and communicates the Associations aims, policies and interests at the highest level, building key partnerships with politicians, relevant Government departments and other key organisations in Scottish Education, and through the media.
Currently this includes meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, other political party members and Civil Servants; sitting on high level committees and working groups; and working with other national education associations and Directors of Education. The General Secretary is a key spokesperson and a public face for the Association and therefore works directly with all areas of the media, both print and broadcast.
Leading and managing the work of the Association:
The General Secretary is ultimately responsible for the professional officers and the SLS administrative support team. They oversee the responsible administration of the assets and resources of the Association and the effectiveness of the Association at national and local level.
The General Secretary also plays a key role in maintaining the special relationship with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).
Extra Information:
Applications should be submitted in the form of a CV and a covering letter detailing the skills, qualities and experience that make you suitable for this post.
The closing date for applications is 25 April 2025. It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Principal, Headmaster, Headmistress, Head Teacher, School Director, School Secretary Lead, may also be considered for this role.