Principal Adult Education and Skills in Plymouth

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

Shape the future of education and skills in Plymouth. On Course South West (OCSW), Plymouth City Council's award-winning Further Education and Skills provider, is seeking an ambitious, innovative and values-driven Principal to lead the next phase of our development and growth. OCSW delivers high-quality education and skills provision across adult learning, apprenticeships, high-needs provision and programmes for young people, supporting learners, employers and communities across Plymouth and the South West. OCSW currently manages over £3 million of funding alongside apprenticeship and commercial income and is entering an exciting period of expansion and transformation. This is a unique opportunity to lead a service with a strong reputation for inclusion, innovation and partnership, whilst driving improvement, growth and outstanding learner outcomes.

Working with Plymouth City Council, employers, colleges, universities, voluntary sector organisations and regional partners, you will ensure OCSW continues to play a pivotal role in delivering the city's skills and economic ambitions.

About the Role

As Principal, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects of OCSW, ensuring excellence in curriculum, quality, learner experience, safeguarding, business performance and organisational development. You will lead a talented and committed workforce, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation and accountability, whilst ensuring that learners remain at the heart of everything we do. This role requires a leader who combines educational expertise with strong commercial awareness, able to translate strategic ambition into sustainable growth and measurable impact.

What We Are Looking For

• A strong track record of leadership within further education, skills, training or a related sector.
• Significant experience of driving quality improvement, organisational performance and successful change programmes.
• Excellent understanding of funding methodologies, regulatory frameworks, inspection requirements and curriculum development.
• Proven financial acumen, with experience of managing substantial budgets, maximising income streams, delivering value for money and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Strong system leadership and partnership skills, with the ability to influence across organisational boundaries and build effective relationships with employers, local authorities, education providers, government agencies and community partners.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new opportunities for growth, innovation and external investment.
• Experience of leading high-performing teams and creating a positive, inclusive and ambitious organisational culture.
• A commitment to inclusion, social mobility and improving outcomes for learners from all backgrounds.

Why Join OCSW?

You will join an organisation with a clear vision: learning is for life and opportunities are for all. This is an opportunity to lead a thriving education and skills provider that is making a tangible difference to learners, employers and communities. You will play a key role in shaping the future workforce of Plymouth, driving economic growth, championing inclusion and ensuring that education and skills create opportunities for everyone.

If you are a strategic leader with the vision, financial and system acumen, and passion to drive excellence and innovation, we would love to hear from you. We are a flexible employer and provide a variety of working arrangements tailored to the needs of each role.

The Disclosure & Barring Service Check requirement for this post is: Enhanced Children’s & Adult's List.

For more information or an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Tina Brinkworth, Head of Skills and Post 16, via e-mail - tina.brinkworth@plymouth.gov.uk.

Closing date: Monday 27 July 2026.

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or are an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.