Deputy Principal, UHI Orkney - ORK10816

Orkney Islands Council; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Interview expenses paid

Job summary

Orkney Islands Council invites applications for the Deputy Principal, UHI Orkney. The post offers 35 hours per week, is permanent, and reports to the Principal. The role drives leadership across academic subjects and support areas with a focus on quality and financial efficiency within UHI Orkney.

Based in Kirkwall, the post forms part of the Senior Leadership Team. A Level 2 PVG disclosure is required. Relocation support and interview expenses are available as per Council policy.

Qualifications

• Significant relevant management experience.
• Knowledge of the Scottish FE/HE sector is advantageous.
• Experience delivering high-quality curriculum and supporting services.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and overall management of curriculum and support areas to ensure quality and financial efficiency.
• Contribute to strategic management of the College and delivery of Council and College goals.
• Lead senior teams and maintain effective stakeholder engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Management experience

Job description

Advert

Deputy Principal, UHI Orkney

35 hours per week

Permanent

£66,236

The above amount includes Distant Islands Allowance.

You will be reporting to the Principal.

Your working pattern is Monday to Friday. We are happy to discuss flexible working and candidates wishing to apply for this post in a part-time capacity should indicate this on their application form or discuss it at interview.

The purpose of the role is to have leadership and overall management responsibility for ensuring the quality, financial efficiency and overall effectiveness of a number of academic subjects and support areas within the College.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in one of Scotland's top performing colleges for a professional, experienced and highly motivated individual to join our Senior Leadership Team.

UHI Orkney is the main provider of further and higher education across Orkney. It is a truly tertiary institution, offering a broad curriculum covering community short-courses, evening classes, local business focused training, secondary school subjects, vocational and academic qualifications up to and including Doctoral degrees. The college benefits from its dual status as a partner of UHI, wholly owned by Orkney Islands Council, which gives it strong roots in the local community and a focus on supporting the local economy, alongside a national and international reach. The UHI Institutes of Northern Studies, Archaeology and Agronomy are all based at UHI Orkney, with research programmes rated as world and international class in the UK REF. UHI Orkney's Strategic Plan aims to put it at the forefront of delivering skills and knowledge which support development in key local sectors such as the green and blue economies, culture, heritage and tourism.

As a member of the College Senior Management Team this post has leadership and management responsibility for ensuring the quality, financial efficiency and overall effectiveness of a range of curriculum and support areas. The post-holder will also contribute to the strategic management of the College and ensure delivery of the Council and College's strategic and operational goals. The successful candidate will have significant relevant management experience. Your knowledge of current developments in the Scottish FE/HE sector will support your ability to ensure UHI Orkney continues to deliver a high-quality curriculum in at a time of change.

This post is a regulated role with children and requires Level 2 Disclosure with PVG scheme membership.

Interview expenses are payable for this post. Relocation package is available in line with Council Policy for this post.

Applications close at 23.59 on Sunday 25 October 2026 with shortlisting taking place week commencing 26 October and interviews scheduled from week commencing 8 November 2026.

For a discussion about the role, contact Professor Seonaidh McDonald on [e-mail].

Orkney Islands Council is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status or gender reassignment status.