MAEL has the following roles for directors, staff & consultants (although in certain circumstances, some roles may be combined):
 Managing Director (MD) who has an overarching responsibility for all aspects of MAEL’s activities. As a member of the Board of Directors he/she report directly to them and takes directions from them on issues of overall strategy.
 Company Secretary who has overall responsibility for the executive’s smooth functioning.
 Non-executive director(s) who are appointed to the Board of Directors for their particular expertise and they elect a chairperson from their number.
 Qualifications Officer (QO) who is responsible for the development and maintenance of qualifications.
 Finance Officer (FO) who is responsible for the ongoing financial probity and viability of the company.
 Responsible Person (for reporting to regulatory bodies)
 Administrative assistant(s)
 Chief Examiner (CE) who chairs the assessment board and is responsible for ensuring the qualification rubric is followed, and is also responsible for ensuring that the grading of learners’ work is accurate.
 Practical Examiner is responsible for conducting the Montessori practical examinations.
 Marker/Assessor(s) who are responsible for marking/grading adult learners’ assessment tasks outputs.
 Internal Verifier (IV) who is responsible for ensuring marking is internally consistent, both within and across cohorts.
 External Verifier (EV) who is responsible for ensuring consistency with external standards.
 Teaching Centre Representatives.

Each role has a person specification and a job description. A specimen employment contract (which will be adapted for specific circumstances/persons) and an agreement for consultants are provided before interview.  All senior staff must sign the declaration of qualification (see under staff qualification in the menu above) before commencing with MAEL and they commit to keeping the declaration updated annually.

Indicative documents…

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Person Specification

Training and Experience

A graduate level qualification in business management is desirable.
Previous experience in company directorship or a senior executive position is essential.
Signing the ‘Qualification for the role of director or senior officer of MAEL’ document is essential.
Experience of working within the Montessori community is highly desirable
Previous experience in a lead role in a Montessori organisation is highly desirable.
Sympathy with and broad knowledge of the Montessori Method and ethos is essential.

Personal Qualities

The appointee will possess the following personal qualities (all of which are essential):
1. A commitment to the broad outline of the Montessori philosophy, as it applies not only to children but also to other adults.
2. Proven inter-personal skills appropriate to senior management.
3. Agreement with the MAEL Mission Statement,
4. Acceptance of the duties described in the job description, and demonstrable conscientiousness and reliability in all aspects of their work.
5. An approach (in principle) to the control and practice of teacher education that is positive and supportive of adult learners’ endeavours.
6. Personal integrity and commitment to ethical business practice.
7. Commitment to the maintenance of standards and equality of opportunity.
Job Description

To accept full overarching responsibility for the smooth running of all of MAEL’s operations, delegating as necessary.
To monitor the effective operation of MAEL published policies and procedures (including keeping a watching brief on legislative and regulatory regulation)
To accept overall responsibility for human relations within the company, with particular reference to roles prescribed within the resource management and whistleblowing policies.
To appoint, and if necessary oversee the training of, named persons who will take individual responsibility for monitoring the operation of the following policies: equal opportunities; ethical practice; and to obtain regular reports (i.e. not less than quarterly) on the operation of the policy/ies for which the named individuals have specific responsibility.
In the eventuality that MAEL enters into any third party agreement(s), it is the responsibility of the MD to (i) ensure that any third party agreement does not compromise MAEL’s ability to meet any and all regulatory requirements, (ii) ensure that the third parties have awareness of regulatory requirements and the appropriate structures and experience to work with them, and (iii) that these requirements are included in any such contract.
Treat all staff, consultants and any stakeholders with whom they come into contact with respect, and show no discrimination on the grounds of ethnic origin, sex or sexual orientation (within the framework of the law), age, social class or disability.
Respect the rights of other staff and students, particularly in relation to personal dignity and privacy, and ensure that any dispute or grievance is handled professionally.
To check the content of any training or promotional material which is issued by MAEL or is used by its employees.
To compile and maintain a risk assessment, including a detailed business continuity plan, in accordance with the Risk Management Policy
To oversee relationships with regulatory authorities and ensure ongoing compliance through liaison with the relevant named responsible person.
Ensure that all Board members have access to the most recent curriculum document(s) for all the course(s) under consideration and the definitive award regulations, including assessment regulations and terms of reference of the Board.
Liaise with the Company Secretary to set the agenda for directors’ meetings and ensure board meetings are attended by the Company Secretary who will minute the meeting.
Oversee implementation of the Board’s decisions, and report chronic or unavoidable non-compliance to the Board.
Accept additional duties as may from time to time become necessary to fulfil the responsibilities of the role.
Undertake the training (usually via shadowing) of one other person who may step into the role in the event of enforced prolonged absence.
Maintain an attitude of loyalty to the Montessori approach and to the Board. Do not criticise the staff or operations of the Board or its associated Centres in public, nor to other persons except insofar as is helpful in order to remedy any shortcomings.

 Date of last revision: 28/05/16