Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning for Higher Education and Apprenticeships, ensuring quality and financial targets.
- Company: Join Inspire Education Group, a dynamic provider in Peterborough and Stamford.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days holiday, local government pension, and access to lifestyle savings.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' futures while driving innovation in education.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate with management qualifications and experience in employer engagement strategies.
- Other info: Be part of a culture committed to professional development and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 95000 £ per year.
As a member of our Group Executive Team at Inspire Education Group, the Vice Principal – Apprenticeships and Higher Education will provide strategic leadership for all Higher Education (HE) and Apprenticeship provision across the Group.
Salary: £89,169 per annum
Location: Peterborough
Hours: 37 hours per week, all year round
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Friday 6 February 2026
About the role
Reporting to the Chief Learning Officer, we are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Vice Principal to lead the strategic planning and delivery of our HE and Apprenticeship curriculum, ensuring alignment with quality, student demand and financial targets. You will strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, positioning the Group positively to secure revenue and capital funding for projects, development opportunities as well as external award opportunities, whilst promoting a culture of ambition and aspiration for students and colleagues that ensures the highest standards of organisational, academic and financial performance across the Group.
Working closely with the Accounting Officer for UCP this role will lead our compliance with funding body regulations while defining and driving the employer engagement strategy, fostering excellent relationships with employers, validating partners and regional stakeholders to ensure our curriculum is innovative and meets local and regional needs. Acting as a strategic lead for our external body reviews and OfS you will ensure successful outcomes and robust quality improvement plans are implemented and delivered. Internally, you will work closely with key senior leaders ensuring effective governance by sharing high‐level performance reports and plans to the Executive team, Governors and UCP council.
As a member of the Group Executive Team you will contribute to the development and delivery of IEG's vision, mission, values and strategic priorities, lead the strategic planning and delivery of all HE and Apprenticeship curriculum, ensure alignment with quality, student demand and financial targets whilst promoting a culture of ambition and aspiration for students and colleagues that ensures the highest standards of organisational, academic and financial performance across the Group.
About you
As a postgraduate (or equivalent) with a professional management qualification (or equivalent) you will demonstrate your ability to develop and implement employer engagement strategies that achieve business growth. You will have substantial experience when leading/preparing for external inspections and regulatory reviews, along with the excellent ability to analyse management information demonstrating your data‐led decision making skills. Your excellent leadership and influencing skills will show through your ability to manage complex issues, lead high‐performing teams, make difficult decisions and delegate effectively to ensure outstanding management of your business area. You are dynamic and responsive with the ability to react to changing agendas, ensuring risks are managed appropriately. You have vast experience of budgetary management at a significant level, including forecasting and bid writing. You can also demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the HE sector, OfS conditions and government legislation impacting Higher Education as well as strategic knowledge of DfE funding rules, the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework and EPA requirements.
What we offer
- 35 days holiday entitlement, plus bank holidays and discretionary days
- Local government pension scheme
- A culture committed to professional development, innovation and continuous improvement
- 24/7 access to our employee assistance programme
- Access to a variety of lifestyle savings including blue light card, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym memberships and many more
About Inspire Education Group (IEG)
Inspire Education Group is a dynamic and ambitious education provider operating across the historic market town of Stamford and the vibrant city of Peterborough. Formed in August 2020 following the merger of Peterborough Regional College and New College Stamford, the Group also includes University Centre Peterborough and a suite of award-winning commercial training enterprises. Our provision spans:
- Full‐time study programmes for school leavers
- Apprenticeships at all levels
- Adult and community learning
- Higher education delivered through University Centre Peterborough
Safeguarding Statement
IEG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and any vulnerable groups within the college community and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough vetting process which includes an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 provide information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. Candidates are reminded that if they are barred from working with children it is a criminal offence to apply for this position.
Vice Principal - Apprenticeships and Higher Education in Peterborough employer: Inspire Education Group
Contact Detail:
Inspire Education Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice Principal - Apprenticeships and Higher Education in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those involved in apprenticeships and higher education. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. This will help you get comfortable with common questions and refine your answers, making you feel more confident when it’s your turn in the hot seat.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice Principal - Apprenticeships and Higher Education in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Vice Principal. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in areas related to higher education and apprenticeships. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your achievements and qualifications. Avoid fluff and focus on what matters.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspire Education Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the Higher Education and Apprenticeship sectors. Brush up on current trends, funding rules, and OfS conditions. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and driving strategic initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated complex issues and led high-performing teams in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve built relationships with employers and other stakeholders in the past. Be prepared to share specific strategies you’ve used to foster these connections and how they’ve benefited your previous organisations.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role requires strong analytical skills, come equipped with examples of how you’ve used data to inform decisions. Discuss any experience you have with budget management, forecasting, or preparing for inspections, as this will be crucial for the interview.
