Assistant Principal, Community Engagement and Curriculum

This is an exciting opportunity to join a values-led college with a strong commitment to widening access, community engagement and learner success. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have the opportunity to shape curriculum strategies, influence regional skills development and make a lasting impact on learners, communities and employers across Glasgow and beyond.

The postholder will ensure curriculum provision is innovative, inclusive and aligned to local, regional and national priorities while supporting progression into further study, apprenticeships and employment. They will also play a leading role in identifying opportunities for curriculum growth, income generation and sustainable provision that responds to community and employer need.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Assistant Principal will play a key role in championing and embedding the College's TIME values and Leadership and Management Framework. The successful candidate will provide visible, values-led leadership, fostering a culture of transparency, inclusion, collaboration and continuous improvement. Through their leadership, they will support the delivery of Strategic Plan 2030, develop the capability of managers and teams, model the behaviours expected of senior leaders, and ensure that the College's commitment to staff, learners, communities and partners is reflected in decision-making, performance and organisational culture.

The post-holder will play a pivotal role in shaping the future curriculum offer of the College, influencing regional skills planning, strengthening pathways into employment and further study, and ensuring Glasgow Kelvin College remains at the forefront of inclusive, community-focused education.

The Assistant Principal – Community Engagement and Curriculum will lead a diverse portfolio encompassing:

• Community Learning and Widening Access •
• Vocational Curriculum Development
• Senior Phase Provision • School and Local Authority Partnerships
• Employer Engagement and Skills Development
• Community Engagement and Lifelong Learning
• Curriculum Quality and Enhancement
• Learner Recruitment, Retention and Progression
• Strategic Partnership Development
• Performance and Operational Planning

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Responsibilities

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, take collective responsibility with colleagues for delivering strategic objectives and shaping the vision.
• Ensure the responsibilities of the post are carried out in a way that reflects the standards, vision and values of the College.
• Set, monitor and deliver on key performance indicators across the College, aiming to deliver continuous improvement.
• Inspire and motivate staff, developing and managing team members effectively and enabling them to give of their best.
• Deliver best value and manage budgets and resources effectively and efficiently, ensuring that targets are met.
• Promote the College with employers, sector bodies, schools and the local community, developing effective partnerships with employers, funding bodies, local authorities, schools and sector partners.
• Proactively promote and support the College to fulfil its statutory and corporate responsibilities regarding safeguarding, EDI, data protection and health and safety.

Leadership, Planning and Performance

• Contribute to the College's Strategic Plan, ensuring community engagement, curriculum and Senior Phase activities align with institutional goals.
• Lead operational planning, performance management, and evaluation for community, widening access and Senior Phase activity, embedding evidence-based decision-making.
• Foster a culture of reflective practice, professional development, and innovation among staff in curriculum and community functions.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, funding, and quality assurance requirements, including SFC, awarding bodies, and sector-specific standards.
• Provide advice and insight to SLT on sector trends, community needs, and emerging opportunities for growing income and improving financial sustainability in the College.

The role has specific responsibility:

• Curriculum Leadership and Enhancement
• Community Engagement and Partnership Development
• Senior Phase Delivery

Please refer to the attached Recruitment Pack for further details on the specific role responsibilities.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications:

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject area.
• A recognised teaching qualification.
• Evidence of substantial and ongoing Continuous Professional Development.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of curriculum design, widening access, and community learning in further and higher education.
• Understanding of quality assurance, performance frameworks, and regulatory requirements in the tertiary education sector.
• Knowledge of community needs, social inclusion, and strategies for engaging diverse learners.
• Extensive knowledge of Senior Phase policy, school-college partnerships, learner pathways and progression arrangements within the Scottish education system.
• Awareness of national and regional policy priorities in education, skills development, and lifelong learning.
• Understanding of inclusive pedagogy, learner engagement, and approaches to enhancing employability outcomes.
• Familiarity with digital learning, blended delivery models, and innovations in teaching and assessment.
• Understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion and their integration into curriculum and community initiatives.

Skills and Competencies:

• Outstanding leadership and management skills, with the ability to shape strategy, inspire teams, and deliver organisational change.
• Strong analytical, evaluative, and evidence-based decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, influence, and negotiation skills with internal and external stakeholders. Proven ability to manage complex projects, resources, and budgets effectively.
• Capability to build and sustain strategic partnerships with community organisations, schools, and employers.
• Strong digital literacy and understanding of technology-enabled learning and operational systems.

Professional Experience:

• A proven successful track record at a senior management level in further or tertiary education, with responsibility for curriculum, community engagement and/or Senior Phase provision.
• Proven track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering measurable improvements in learner outcomes.
• Experience of working with community organisations, local authorities, and external stakeholders to enhance learning and engagement opportunities.
• Experience of leading school-college partnership activity, collaborative curriculum planning and learner progression pathways.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, performance management, and quality enhancement.
• Evidence of fostering innovation, staff development, and inclusive practice within curriculum and community-focused functions.
• Proven track record of working in partnership with employers to drive growth and quality.

Desirable:

• Experience in the Scottish tertiary education sector.

Remuneration, Terms and Conditions

• Annual Salary | £75,509 to £81,934
• Salary Placement | The salary will be in accordance with the salary placement rules for management.
• Incremental progression | Annual Increment until maximum scale point reached.
• Hours of Work | 35 hours per week Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm, core hours 9.00am to 5.00pm
• Office Location | Glasgow Kelvin College Hybrid working in place, minimum 3 days on campus.
• Pension | You are encouraged to join (or remain) with the Scottish Public Pension Agency. The Scheme changed from a final salary scheme to a career average scheme on 1 April 2015. You will automatically join the Scheme, if you wish to opt out you should contact the Senior Payroll Officer.
• Annual Leave and Public Holiday | 45 to 48 days (inclusive of 12 days fixed public holiday) Two-week closure over the festive period supported by 6 days leave from the 45 to 48 days entitlement.
• Personal Vehicle usage | Mileage Allowance – reclaimable for travel on College Business. Rate in accordance with HMRC at 55p per mile.
• Professional Development | Access to an extensive range of staff development opportunities and events to support you in your role, helping you reach your full potential and plan for your future. The successful candidate will actively participate in the College's Leadership and Management Framework and senior leadership development pathway, supporting both their own professional growth and the development of leadership capability across the College.
• Employee Assistance Programme | 24-hour service that supports your health and wellbeing and that of your family.
• Family Friendly and Flexible Working Policy | Access to flexible working, maternity leave, parental leave, paternity leave, adoption leave and other paid leave to support you and your loved ones.
• Conditions of Service | This post is not covered by the National Recognition and Procedures Agreement. Terms and Conditions of employment will be in accordance with the collective agreements negotiated between members of the Senior Leadership Team and the College Board of Management Remuneration Committee.
• Terms of Appointment | The appointment will be subject to membership of the PVG Scheme and receipt of satisfactory references.

About Glasgow Kelvin College: Glasgow Kelvin College seeks to provide learning opportunities of the highest quality, which engages learners from the widest range of backgrounds, and supports their progression to employment or to further study. We play a vital role in providing accessible vocational and core-skills learning and you will have the opportunity help us create progression opportunities for learners and makes a positive impact on the communities we serve.

We deliver high-quality programmes, from introductory to degree level, to around 15,000 students each year from three campus buildings in the North and Northeast of Glasgow and through a large network of community-based centres. The College works with partners to create inclusive progression opportunities in a vibrant and sustainable environment for our learners.

Roles within the College are subject to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme and as such the successful candidate(s) will be required to make an application for membership under the Scheme.

At Glasgow Kelvin College, we are committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diverse society we serve. We believe that our strength lies in our differences, and we actively seek to attract talent from a wide range of backgrounds. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

We are dedicated to being an employer of choice by prioritising diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing. Our inclusive policies and practices ensure that every team member experiences a strong sense of belonging and can thrive both personally and professionally. We are a Disability Confident employer and guarantee to interview applicants who meet the essential job requirements.

Join us at Glasgow Kelvin College and be part of a team that celebrates diversity and champions inclusion. Your unique perspective and experiences are not just welcomed—they are essential to our collective success. To find out more about how we do this visit: Equality, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging - Glasgow Kelvin College