Assistant Principal Professional Services in Paignton

Salary: £72,047.00 to £77,989.00 per annum, plus excellent benefits

Contract Type: Full time, permanent. 37 hours per week

Location: Paignton, Devon

South Devon College is seeking an exceptional and ambitious senior leader to help shape the future of education, skills development and student success across our communities. Reporting to the Vice Principal People & Resources and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, this strategically important role will provide visible leadership across a broad portfolio of services that are central to the learner journey and the College's continued growth and success.

From first engagement and recruitment through to enrolment, achievement and progression, you will drive service excellence, innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring that students receive an outstanding, inclusive and supportive experience at every stage of their learning journey. This is a unique opportunity to lead and influence key areas including student services, marketing, communications, sales, business development, safeguarding, data protection and organisational compliance.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, employers, partners and stakeholders, you will translate the College's mission and strategic priorities into meaningful outcomes, strengthening our reputation, expanding opportunities for learners and employers, and delivering measurable impact across the organisation. As the College's Designated Safeguarding Lead and Data Protection Officer, you will champion a culture of safety, wellbeing and inclusion, ensuring that every decision supports student success, participation and positive outcomes.

The successful candidate will have substantial senior leadership experience within a complex organisation, supported by a degree or Level 6 qualification (or equivalent experience) and a commitment to ongoing professional development. They will demonstrate a proven track record in marketing, sales, business development and organisational transformation, with responsibility for financial management, service performance and commercial outcomes. Strong strategic leadership, analytical and communication skills are essential, alongside expertise in customer insight, stakeholder engagement, governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, safeguarding and data protection.

The role requires an inclusive and resilient leader who can build effective partnerships, drive sustainable improvement, manage change, and represent the College professionally while maintaining the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality and student focus.

At South Devon College we are passionate that excellent teaching and learning can transform lives. We seek to achieve at the highest levels and welcome staff who share our drive for success. In return, you can expect access to an exciting range of training, apprenticeship and opportunities for degree level study alongside your work to keep you at the top of your game, as well as generous holiday allowance of 35 days (pro rata) and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

The staff at South Devon College are truly inspirational and this is a reflection on the whole College culture of continuous improvement and support for all of our students and communities. We aim to provide our learners with excellent teaching and learning. Our staff are highly adept at working with and developing skills and knowledge in learners from different backgrounds. Our staff have consistently high expectations of all students and generate high levels of enthusiasm for participation in, and commitment to learning. Our staff are integral to maintaining our passion and high-performance levels, and we reward our staff for this.

Our benefits are designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance, and include:

• 35 days annual leave
• 1 additional day's holiday for your birthday (does not have to be used on your birthday)
• 1 additional day's holiday for every 5 years served
• Christmas Closure of up to 2 weeks in addition to annual leave entitlement
• Access to a wealth of training, apprenticeships and funded higher education opportunities as well as dedicated training days
• Local Government Pension Scheme Employer pension contributions of 18%
• Subsidised fitness suite facility, onsite hair and beauty salon, access to a wide range of catering facilities, outdoor gym and free eyesight tests
• Major supermarket and high street employee discount schemes
• Life Assurance (if member of pension scheme)
• On Site Nursery (Mama Bears)
• Employee Assistance Programmes
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Discounted travel schemes

Closing Date: Midnight, Wednesday 30 September 2026

Interview Date: Friday 09 October 2026

Please note that you will be required to be in possession of an Enhanced DBS Certificate or be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check as a condition of employment at the College. This College is committed to Safeguarding/Prevent and promoting the welfare of students, including children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The College is committed to applying its Single Equality Scheme at all stages of recruitment and selection. Shortlisting, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion/belief, age, pregnancy or maternity leave, or union membership. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate the particular needs of any candidate who has notified us of a disability. This may include changing the timing or location of any interview to enable the candidate to attend, providing information in different formats or larger type, etc.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).