The reforms will result in more staff moving between schools and colleges and more leadership opportunities, according to Peter Pendle, chief executive of the Association for College Management (ACM).
This has led to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) setting up a joint venture with the ACM called the Association of Managers in Education (AMiE).
Pendle said: "The boundaries are beginning to disappear. More higher education is provided in further education colleges. Recent government announcements, such as plans to raise the participation age and an increase in modern apprenticeships, mean education managers will work even more closely with employers."
He added: "The reforms mean managers and practitioners will have to be more flexible and move across the various sectors within education. For those that can do that successfully there will certainly be more leadership opportunities."
Members of ATL and ACM will be able to use the services of both unions. It is not a merger, although there could be one in the future if ACM members vote in favour of such a move.
