Deputy Principal, UHI Orkney

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EDUCATION, COMMUNITIES AND HOUSING

Secondary and Tertiary Education  

UHI Orkney

Deputy Principal

35 hours per week

Permanent

£63,950 / £35.04 per hour (including Distant Islands Allowance)

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Senior Management Team at one of Scotland’s most unique tertiary education settings based in the beautiful Orkney Islands. UHI Orkney is more than a college and more than a university. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to undertake this senior leadership role.

UHI Orkney is the main provider of further and higher education across Orkney, with a distinctive blend of local impact and global outlook. From community courses and vocational training to education for school pupils, undergraduates, postgraduates and world-leading research, we deliver across all levels. Our dual status – as a partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands and wholly owned by Orkney Islands Council – gives us deep roots in the community, supporting the local economy while connecting us to a powerful national and international network. Despite our size, our research is rated as world-class and we consistently punch above our weight in innovation and impact.

As a deputy principal, you will provide vision, leadership and accountability across a portfolio of academic, support and commercial areas. You will focus on high-quality teaching, excellent student experience, strong local economic impact, financial efficiency and organisational effectiveness, while contributing to the college’s strategic direction. This role offers the rare opportunity to influence education, training and research both locally and across the wider UHI partnership, with scope to shape strategy in ways that few comparable posts allow.

The role demands significant management experience and strong knowledge of current developments in the Scottish FE/HE and training sectors. To complement the current Senior Management Team strengths, we are particularly interested in candidates who have broad and/or deep knowledge of the FE sector, although applications will be welcomed from anyone with expertise and strong track records in any area of our delivery. You will inspire innovation in learning, teaching and research, champion high standards across the curriculum and lead in a time of change, combining professional impact with the unique quality of life that Orkney offers – from a safe and welcoming community to an outstanding natural environment that supports true work-life balance.

You should be able to travel efficiently and effectively between work locations within Orkney to meet the operational requirements of the Service.

This post is subject to Level 2 Disclosure Check with PVG for working in a regulated role with children and protected adults.

This is a full-time post, but applicants wishing to work part-time will be considered. If you are seeking a part-time position, please include that information in your application.

For an informal discussion, please contact Professor Seonaidh McDonald, Principal, at seonaidh.mcdonald@uhi.ac.uk or 01856 569 251

Closing Date: 23:59 on Sunday 11 January 2026

Please note that interview and relocation expenses will be paid for this post, in accordance with Council policy.