Deputy Chief Executive Officer in England

Here at South Thames Colleges Group, we are recruiting a new Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) to support the ongoing delivery of the Group’s ambitious strategic plan to become an exceptional FE provider. The successful candidate will function as the Group’s Chief Financial Officer and deputise for the Chief Executive as occasion requires.

As Chief Financial Officer, the incoming postholder should either hold a business or accountancy qualification or have a track record of providing strategic leadership in finance, as well as substantial knowledge of HR, estates, operational systems and risk management in a complex multi-site organisation. The DCEO has Group responsibilities for Audit and Finance, Human Resources, Digital and IT Services, Management Information and Planning, and Facilities and Estates.

Following the retirement of our longstanding DCEO, the incoming postholder will take over from a long period of sustained excellence in the delivery of the Group’s Corporate Services, its compliance and financial performance. We will appoint an individual with a track record of proven leadership in the FE or another sector, backed by strong evidence of ongoing high performance in key Corporate metrics.

This role requires a wide range of insight and experience across different aspects of resource management, as well as a profound commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct in public service. The incoming postholder will need to be able to demonstrate experience of working in a complex organisation with challenging funding regimes and the ability to learn and adapt quickly. The postholder will maintain the controls required by the Corporation to ensure accountability for managing the use of public funds.

The role will be part of the wider Group Leadership Team, taking an executive lead in all aspects of financial, human resources and estates management across the successful South Thames Colleges Group, formed in 2017 through merger. South Thames Colleges Group brings together four Colleges across South West London, and this role will be a cornerstone for the next phase of its growth and development.

The recruitment process will consist of the following stages:

• 13 March – Advertisements published
• 31 March 2026 – Recruitment closes
• 2 April 2026 – Longlisting complete; all candidates notified of decision
• 16 April 2026 – Longlisted candidates attend an assessment day; shortlisting at end of day and candidates informed of outcomes
• 17 April 2026 – Shortlisted candidates interviewed; appointment made subject to Corporation approval and satisfactory pre-employment checks

South Thames Colleges Group very much encourages applications from candidates whose backgrounds are as diverse as the learners who attend the Group’s Colleges. When clicking on ‘Apply’, you will be taken to the STCG Recruitment platform where you can download some supporting documents including a welcome from the Chair of Governors, the job description and person specification, South Thames Colleges Group’s inspection report from May 2024, South Thames Colleges Group’s financial statements from 2024-25, South Thames Colleges Group’s School and Business Partnerships Impact Report 2024-25 and the Group’s strategic plan.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Group Principal/Chief Executive, Peter Mayhew-Smith.

The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 37 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year, as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. This leave is all in addition to Bank Holiday entitlement. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training, plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

South Thames Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK. South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

When you click on ‘Apply’, you will be forwarded to the application page which sits on a platform hosted by an external partner called Iris Recruitment who support STCG throughout the recruitment process.