We are looking for an exceptional strategic leader with a proven track record of successfully managing and developing learning within the post-16 sector.
- Salary
Competitive
- Closing date
Sunday 9th March 2025
- Interview dates
Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th April 2025 (candidates must be available on both days)
Unlocking Potential - Transforming Lives - Creating Bright Futures
Kendal College holds a unique place in Cumbria. With over 5,000 students each year, we are the county's largest FE provider of vocational and technical skills, with a regionally and nationally enviable reputation. As an aspirational and forward-thinking college, we are always looking for exceptional staff to help us develop our strategy and fulfil our ambitions.
The Board is looking for an exceptional strategic leader with a proven track record of successfully managing and developing learning within the post-16 sector. We want to appoint a leader with a talent for business development and entrepreneurship but also one who is not afraid of making difficult decisions to secure a strong and sustainable future for the college and its community. We expect the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate highly developed leadership skills to bring out the best in our staff and students and to show a passion for outstanding and inclusive education whilst demonstrating significant skills to ensure the future financial sustainability of the college.
The Principal & Chief Executive is responsible for the overall strategic leadership of the college, formulating and implementing strategic plans for the ongoing improvement and effectiveness of the organisation whilst providing highly effective leadership to ensure the achievement of the college’s mission. As the leader of learning and providing first-class leadership to staff and students, the Principal & Chief Executive will set high expectations and deliver excellent outcomes.
As the Chief Accounting Officer, the Principal & Chief Executive will be responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the college, delivering the performance targets, budget, objectives, and strategic plan as set by the Corporation, and ensuring the regularity, propriety, and value for money of the college’s spending decisions, which underpin the annual assurance on public funds invested in the college.
In carrying out the role, the Principal & Chief Executive will always act in the best interests of students with a strong focus on quality, standards and outcomes to meet the college mission.
The post holder will be the Chief Ambassador for the organisation, articulating the college’s voice and values with all relevant stakeholders whilst building strong partnerships that benefit the college, its students, staff, employers and the wider community. It is expected that existing and developing collaborative links with Cumbria and neighbouring colleges will be maintained and further developed.
To apply for this role, please visit the jobs section of our website. All applications should be completed online using the college application form.
The following key opportunities and challenges will be expected of the new Principal & Chief Executive.
- To drive a successful college into its next development and growth phase by delivering high-quality education within a truly inclusive environment.
- To achieve strong financial viability and management.
- To deliver Government policies on education.
- To lead the college in achieving high standards and excellent educational provision.
- To build and strengthen external partnerships with other providers, employers and professional bodies.
- To strengthen the College’s role as a major focus for skills development and industry innovation within the region and nationally.
- To grow provision to meet the needs of students and regional employers.
- To drive continuous improvement that external inspection agencies, including Ofsted, recognise.
- To lead and develop the College culture of diversity and inclusion.
- To drive a culture that values people and encourages the support, growth and development of our staff.
Why choose us?
Set within the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site of the Lake District, we are an FE college that consistently punches above its weight on the national stage. Under the leadership of our Principal, Kelvin Nash, we are embarking on a series of bold steps to grow the college and remain an excellent education provider for Cumbria and the Northwest region. Our students are focused on their learning, achieve high levels of attainment, and consistently give us high satisfaction ratings. The college recognises the wellbeing of its staff as a priority, as well as ensuring that excellent work is appropriately recognised and that a healthy work-life balance is maintained.
What we offer
- Great career progression opportunities
- A generous holiday entitlement
- Excellent pension schemes for all staff
- Seven efficiency days per year (pro rata) and your hard-earned holiday allocation
- A college committed to helping every student reach their full potential, irrespective of their ability
- Excellent CPD opportunities to grow and develop
- Employee Assistant Programme
- A comprehensive staff awards, rewards, and wellbeing scheme
- Membership options to other discounting/saving providers
- A full range of hairdressing and beauty therapy treatments
- Discounts in the college restaurant
- Enhanced maternity pay
- Enhanced absence pay
- Cycle to work scheme
- Blue Light card eligibility
- Free will writing
- Discounted eye tests and winter flu vaccine
- Access to discounted gym membership
Our vision
We will provide outstanding education and training opportunities that are responsive to the needs of our students and our community. All our actions will help develop our students to deliver positive economic and sustainable environmental change both now and in the future.
Our values
- Excellence & Ambition
- Respect & Honesty
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Loyalty & Commitment
- A Positive Environment
Person specification
Sources of evidence:
Qualifications
| Application | Tasks | Panel interviews | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree and management/professional qualifications | √ | ||
| Evidence of continual professional development | √ | ||
| Teaching qualification | √ |
Knowledge
| Application | Tasks | Panel interviews | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive knowledge of the UK FE sector and legislation and how it impacts on the college | √ | √ | √ |
| Strong and evidenced knowledge of quality in teaching and learning | √ | √ | √ |
| Good understanding of funding methodology | √ | √ | √ |
| Good understanding of the importance of equality, safeguarding and student welfare | √ | √ | √ |
| Strong and evidenced knowledge of budget management and financial performance and a good understanding of managing public money | √ | √ | √ |
Experience
| Application | Tasks | Panel interviews | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Significant and relevant experience in senior leadership within an educational or business setting | √ | ||
| Commitment to the provision of educational excellence | √ | √ | |
| A record of improving the quality of service and outcomes | √ | √ | |
| Budget management and improving financial performance through an ability to interpret and analyse financial information | √ | √ | |
| Delivering successful outcomes in regulatory inspections | √ | √ | |
| A strong track record of establishing and developing positive external relationships and partnerships at high level | √ | √ | |
| Ambassadorial role, representing an organisation at local, regional and national level | √ | ||
| Working with the Governing body on strategic vision and operational management to determine objectives and oversee implementation | √ | √ | √ |
| Driving up performance and motivating staff from across the organisation to excel | √ | ||
| Strong team-building skills and experience in operating a robust performance management system | √ | √ | |
| Experience of managing change programmes | √ |
Personal attributes
| Application | Tasks | Panel interviews | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Already working at a high level in a complex organisation | √ | ||
| An accomplished leader with the proven ability to motivate and inspire others to improve and succeed | √ | √ | √ |
| An expert people manager who can lead others at all levels of an organisation with energy, enthusiasm, commanding respect, and provide an environment where others will feel motivated to achieve outstanding results | √ | √ | |
| A reflective and responsive leader who is a role model internally and able to translate strategy into operational success | √ | √ | √ |
| The ability to cope under pressure with continual change | √ | √ | |
| An evident passion for the sector | √ | √ | √ |
| Personal integrity and excellent judgement | √ | √ | |
| Excellent verbal and numerical reasoning skills | √ | √ |
Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners and expect all staff to share this commitment. Employment at the college is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check via the Disclosure and Barring Service, and any post in regulated activity will also be subject to an additional barred list check. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we will conduct online searches about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal obligation to meet safeguarding duties per KCSIE.
Right to work
You may need to obtain permission to work in the UK if you don’t already have the unrestricted right to work in any role. There are various types of visas, which include the right to work. You can check if you need a UK visa using the government’s online tool and find information about UK visa routes and the eligibility criteria that must be met for each route. All staff must prove their right to work in the UK before they attend an interview.
Equality & diversity
We are committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel they belong and are connected to others in our community. We strive to ensure that no employee or job applicant receives less favourable facilities or treatment (either directly or indirectly) in recruitment or employment on grounds of age, disability, gender/gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation (the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010).
GDPR
All adults employed by the college are responsible for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.
Armed Forces Covenant
We are committed to supporting veterans' integration into civilian life after their loyal service to the Armed Forces. We welcome applications from veterans, and those who meet the essential criteria will be automatically invited for an interview.
