Principal and Chief Executive - Belfast Met

MCS Group; Belfast; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational recruitment firm is seeking a Principal and Chief Executive for a prominent further and higher education college in Belfast. The successful candidate will drive strategic initiatives, promote collaboration with industry and government, and ensure excellence across the institution. Ideal candidates should have strategic leadership experience, although specific experience in the education sector is not mandatory. The role offers a chance to significantly impact the future of education in Northern Ireland.

Qualifications

• Proven strategic leadership in complex organisations.
• Passion for education and skills as a force for economic and social transformation.

Responsibilities

• Shape the strategic direction of the college.
• Champion innovation, inclusion, and excellence across the College.
• Drive collaboration with regional colleges, industry, and government.

Skills

CEO

Chief Executive

Principal and Chief Executive

Job description

Principal and Chief Executive - Belfast Met

MCS Group is delighted to be partnering with Belfast Met, Northern Ireland's largest further and higher education college, as they seek to appoint a Principal and Chief Executive on a full-time permanent basis. The successful candidate will shape the strategic direction of Belfast Met, ultimately delivering outstanding outcomes for learners, ensuring robust governance and financial stewardship, as well as championing innovation, inclusion and excellence across the College.

About Belfast Met

Belfast Metropolitan College is the largest and longest established further and higher education college in Northern Ireland, attracting 20,000 learner enrolments in 2024/25, with student satisfaction rates of 95%. The College employs approximately 941 teaching and support staff and has an annual turnover in excess of £75m.

Belfast Met has a dual mandate to promote economic growth and social inclusion. The College's vision, mission, aims and values are fully aligned with Government priorities and growth areas identified for Northern Ireland which set the policy and delivery context for Belfast Met.

The College is committed to ensuring that every learner, irrespective of background gains the skills to get a job, keep a job or get a better job; that every business is supported to grow and innovate; and, that those with barriers to learning have the opportunity to learn and grow to achieve their potential. This is the Belfast Met ethos.

About the Role

Founded in 1906, Belfast Met has long been at the heart of the city's economic and industrial growth providing the skills, knowledge and innovation that power local industry and transform lives. Today, their mission remains the same: to lead the city to work through a commitment to Collaboration, Ambition, Respect and Excellence.

Each year, tens of thousands of learners choose Belfast Met to upskill, reskill and realise their potential. As the College faces new opportunities and challenges, including changing government funding and the Belfast City Deal agenda, they are ambitious about their future, driving innovation, diversifying income and striving to be one of the leading colleges across the UK and Ireland.

Belfast Met are now looking for a strategic, inspirational and commercially astute leader to deliver on that ambition. You will play a pivotal role in driving excellence, leading collaboration with regional colleges, industry and government, and ensuring the College continues to make a lasting impact on learners, the economy and the wider community.

While experience within Further or Higher Education is welcome, it is not essential. What matters most is proven strategic leadership, success in complex organisations, and a passion for education and skills as a force for economic and social transformation.

This is a key public appointment and an opportunity to make a profound difference to the future of Belfast, Northern Ireland and beyond.

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please contact Ryan Calvert, Divisional Head of Recruitment on , or to request a Candidate Pack for the Principal & Chief Executive role select Apply Now, or email [e-mail]

Applications will close on Friday 28th November at 12pm. Should you wish to make an application for the post please allow enough time to complete the Application Form (that will be supplied in the Candidate Pack) if you feel you can demonstrate and evidence the criteria for this Principal & Chief Executive opportunity.

MCS Group is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion for all, being the first recruitment agency in NI to achieve Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation, if you have a disability which means you require a reasonable adjustment to be considered at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate the request.

Even if this position is not right for you, we may have others that are. Please visit to view a wide selection of our current jobs.

Skills:

• CEO
• Chief Executive
• Principal and Chief Executive