Executive Director of Physical Infrastructure

• Eastern Education Group 
• Address: Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3RL
• Salary: Competitive salary
• Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year
• Contract: Permanent, required as soon as possible
• Reference: 5715

Eastern Education Group is seeking an Executive Director of Physical Infrastructure credible, influential and commercially astute leader with significant experience of leading estates, infrastructure, property or capital development functions within a large and complex organisation. 

You will bring the vision to anticipate future needs, the leadership to drive transformational change, and the ability to operate confidently at Board and executive level. In return, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the environments where thousands of students, colleagues and communities learn, work and thrive, whilst leaving a lasting legacy across Eastern Education Group.

This is a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for ensuring our estate not only meets the needs of today but is positioned to support the ambitions of tomorrow. You will provide executive oversight of a substantial and varied property portfolio, ensuring our campuses, schools and specialist facilities remain safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for purpose. Equally importantly, you will lead the development of the group's long-term infrastructure strategy, identifying opportunities to enhance organisational capability, increase capacity, modernise our environments and support educational innovation across all parts of the group.

Working closely with the CEO, Board and Executive Leadership Team, you will shape and deliver major capital investment programmes, estate transformation projects and long-term growth initiatives. Whether through redevelopment, acquisition, new build projects or strategic partnerships, you will ensure our physical infrastructure remains a powerful enabler of educational excellence, operational effectiveness and financial sustainability. You will also provide strong leadership to our estates and facilities functions, building a high-performing service that combines operational excellence with strategic foresight.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits including:

• Membership into Local Government Pension Scheme
• Family friendly policies and flexible working
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee wellbeing initiatives
• Free parking 
• Company events 
• Access to various memberships and discount schemes
• Learning and development opportunities, including staff development days
• Funded subject course development for your role 
• Range of staff communities, including EDI and neurodiverse communities 
• Career progression opportunities 

Eastern Education Group is one of the largest and most diverse education organisations in the region, delivering exceptional learning opportunities across schools, sixth forms, further education, specialist provision and adult learning. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are seeking an exceptional Executive Director of Physical Infrastructure to join our Executive Leadership Team and lead the strategic development of the group's estate, facilities and physical infrastructure.

Eastern Education Group is a dynamic and forward-thinking education provider committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences across multiple institutions. Our group encompasses a diverse range of educational settings, including schools, further education colleges, and specialist learning provisions, ensuring that learners of all ages and backgrounds receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

At the heart of our mission is a dedication to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation in education. We strive to create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Through strong partnerships with local communities, businesses, and industry leaders, we ensure our curriculum remains relevant, equipping students with the skills and knowledge required for future careers.

At Eastern Education Group, we believe sustainability is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for a more sustainable future while reducing our environmental impact and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Our group also prioritises supporting students with additional learning needs, offering specialist provisions for those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs), and vocational training to empower every learner. We take a holistic approach to education, combining academic excellence with pastoral care, safeguarding, and wellbeing initiatives to foster a safe and supportive learning environment.

As a collective, Eastern Education Group is committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and maintaining high standards across all our institutions. We work closely with regulatory bodies, including Ofsted, to ensure compliance and the highest quality of teaching, learning, and student support. Our leadership team, educators, and support staff are dedicated to shaping the future of education, driving positive change, and enabling learners to realise their full potential.

As a group, our Character Strengths and Mission Statement underpin our expectations of all our students and employees. Please familiarise yourself with these and incorporate them into your personal statement; this will be of benefit if you are invited to attend for an interview. 

This is an opportunity to join a hugely supportive organisation where we value, support and facilitate your professional development, as well as offering many other benefits including an attractive pension scheme, staff wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance. 

For more information

Please read the Job Description (pdf)

Please contact our recruitment teamby emailing: [email protected]

How to apply

To apply, please visit our website

If you have not heard from a member of the HR Team within 14 working days of the closing date, please presume your application has not been successful on this occasion.

Closing date: 8 am, 16 November 2026.

Interview date: 30 November 2026.

We reserve the right to appoint prior to listed closing date, early applications are encouraged. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, gender, gender reassignment, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age in accordance with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.

The group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

The group is committed to safeguarding children and safer recruitment practices and will undertake all the required pre-employment checks on the successful candidate including an enhanced DBS Disclosure.
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