We are seeking an inspiring, dynamic leader to champion outdoor learning, drive national impact and sector growth as our first Chief Officer.
The Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (AAOLEV) is a new charity, formed from the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP). It is a respected organisation dedicated to promoting high-quality outdoor learning and ensuring safe, enriching educational visits for children and young people across England and Wales.
AAOLEV is now seeking to appoint its first-ever Chief Officer, an important milestone that reflects our ambition to strengthen our voice, broaden our influence and build the charity’s capacity for the future. This is a unique opportunity to shape a leadership role from the ground up and help define the next phase of the charity’s development.
We are looking for an inspiring and dynamic leader with strategic vision, strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to the value of outdoor learning. The successful candidate will be a credible advocate, able to engage stakeholders, influence nationally and unite a diverse professional community behind a shared purpose.
Who we are
OEAP is the former name of AAOLEV and is a respected organisation dedicated to promoting high-quality outdoor learning and ensuring safe, enriching educational visits for children and young people across England and Wales.
Through our network of experienced advisors, AAOLEV plays a pivotal role in supporting schools, local authorities and providers to plan and deliver meaningful learning beyond the classroom, with the potential to impact the education of around 10 million children and young people each year.
Over the last 50 years, the heart of AAOLEV’s work has been underpinned by a commitment to raising standards, sharing expertise and influencing national policy whilst providing expertise and guidance to a range of key partners, which includes the Department for Education and the national Health & Safety Executive. We provide professional leadership across the sector, helping to ensure that educational visits are both impactful and well-managed, with safety and learning outcomes at their core.
AAOLEV also serves as a collaborative hub, bringing together practitioners and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, develop best practice and advocate for the value of outdoor learning. As the sector continues to evolve, the charity is well-positioned to strengthen its influence and support an even wider community, ensuring that outdoor learning remains an integral and accessible part of education.
About the role
Working on an initial 18-month consultancy contract, our Chief Officer will provide strategic and operational leadership for AAOLEV, shaping our future direction and strengthening our influence across the outdoor learning sector and the wider educational sector.
As the charity’s first postholder in this role, you will play a defining part in building capacity, visibility and long-term sustainability.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Acting as a credible and influential external spokesperson, representing AAOLEV with government, partners and sector stakeholders.
- Providing inspirational leadership to members and the wider network, fostering collaboration, engagement and shared purpose.
- Leading charity development, embedding effective governance, systems and ways of working.
- Taking a business-minded approach to growth, including identifying opportunities and negotiating to secure funding and partnerships.
Through this role, the successful candidate will significantly enhance AAOLEV’s national profile, strengthen our voice in shaping policy and practice, and ensure we are well-positioned to support high-quality outdoor learning for years to come.
Who we are looking for
Our ideal candidate will bring a strong blend of leadership, influencing capability and commercial acumen, alongside a clear commitment to the value of outdoor learning. You will be a credible, collaborative individual who can operate confidently at the national level.
Key qualities, skills and experience include:
- Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire, unite and develop a diverse professional community.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with experience of acting as a spokesperson or building relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into practical plans and outcomes.
- Commercial awareness, with experience of securing funding, managing resources or developing income streams.
- Excellent negotiation skills and the confidence to build partnerships that deliver mutual value.
- Have an ability to work flexibly, given the hybrid nature of the role and the need to travel across the country.
- An understanding of the outdoor learning, education or not-for-profit sector (or the ability to quickly build this insight).
Above all, the successful candidate will bring energy, credibility and a clear sense of purpose, helping to position AAOLEV for long-term impact and success.
Accessibility information
This role is fully remote, and we do not have a physical office.
We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments for the application or interview process, please let us know, and we will be happy to support you.
Peridot Partners and AAOLEV are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
Welcome from the National Chair
Welcome and thank you for your interest in joining the Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (AAOLEV).
We are delighted to welcome candidates for this important new contractual role who share our commitment to high-quality outdoor learning, educational visits and the safety and wellbeing of all participants. AAOLEV brings together professionals from across the sector to promote excellence, share expertise and support the development of effective practice in outdoor learning and educational visits.
Your interest in becoming involved with AAOLEV reflects a dedication to helping children, young people and adults benefit from meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. We look forward to learning more about your experience, skills and aspirations, and how you may contribute to our collegiate membership of advisers and associated supporters.
We look forward to seeing your application and to your commitment to the value of outdoor learning and educational visits. We wish you every success throughout the selection process.
Kind regards,
Ruth Hawker
National Chair
Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits (AAOLEV)
About AAOLEV (formerly OEAP)
AAOLEV: The Association of Advisers for Outdoor Learning and Educational Visits.
As the lead body for guidance, advice and training related to outdoor learning and educational visits in England and Wales, AAOLEV supports members in their work with schools and services to children and young people.
We believe every child in every school should have access to a comprehensive programme of high-quality outdoor learning, educational visits and adventurous activities as an integral part of their school curriculum.
AAOLEV recommends employing or engaging an AAOLEV member who can provide high-quality advice and training. They have extensive, detailed and appropriate knowledge and experience of all relevant types of establishments and the range of outdoor learning, educational visits and adventurous activities that are provided to young people.
Governance
Governance and strategy are the responsibility of 12 Trustees, all of whom are current members of the Association. Our medium-term hope is that some of the trustee roles will be filled by people from outside the Association who have valuable expertise or experience.
There are three volunteer National Officers – Chair, Treasurer and Secretary – who currently carry out many of the executive functions that the Chief Officer will take over. Their roles are part-time and are a legacy from when we were OEAP Ltd.
There is a regional structure with Chairs elected by regional members. They meet regularly to report to members the Trustees’ decisions and to relay to the Trustees any suggestions from the membership. They also provide a means for members to seek help from their colleagues and share issues as they arise.
There is a small working group (three members) that ensures that our National Guidance is maintained and updated.
There are strategy groups (all volunteers) working on specific issues to help drive the charity forwards. These include membership, digital strategy, training, funding/finance and communications. These will stand down when they have achieved their aims, and others may be set up at any time when new issues are identified.
The full membership is invited to meet twice a year at a National Association Meeting in March online and in October in Warwickshire. The October meeting includes the charity’s annual general meeting, at which trustees are voted in, and any issues that must be decided by the membership are put to the vote. If other urgent decisions are needed at other times of the year, a general meeting is called online for members to vote.
You can find out more about the AAOLEV (formerly OEAP) by visiting the website here.
Learn more about AAOLEV
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: AAOLEV—Chief Officer” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Tuesday 8th September 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Wednesday 16th September 2026
First stage interviews: Thursday 24th September 2026
Second stage interviews: Friday 25th September 2026
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and AAOLEV are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
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