Head of Colleges

Head of Colleges

Location: Remote / Multi-site across England & Wales, regular travel across college locations. 
Salary: £80-85K 
Job Type: Full Time | Permanent

Diamond Search Recruitment are proud to be partnering with a leading specialist education provider to appoint an outstanding Head of Colleges.

Exceptional leaders create exceptional futures.

This is an opportunity to shape the strategic direction of specialist further education across multiple college sites, influencing the lives of hundreds of young people and adults with additional needs.

As a member of the Education Senior Leadership Team, you won't simply oversee performance—you'll define the future of a growing college network, develop exceptional leaders, drive educational excellence and ensure every learner has the opportunity to achieve meaningful, life-changing outcomes.

If you're an ambitious education leader looking for a role where your influence extends well beyond a single campus, this could be the career-defining opportunity you've been waiting for.

The Opportunity

Our client is recognised as one of the UK's leading providers of specialist education, care and support services. With ambitious growth plans and an unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding learner experiences, they are seeking an experienced senior leader to provide strategic leadership across six specialist college sites.

Working closely with the Divisional Director and Executive Leadership Team, you will lead College Principals, drive quality improvement, shape educational strategy and build a culture where innovation, accountability and learner success thrive.

This is a highly visible executive leadership position where your expertise will directly influence organisational strategy and educational outcomes across the group.

What You'll Be Leading

You'll provide strategic oversight for a diverse specialist college provision, ensuring consistently high standards across every setting.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering an ambitious vision for further education provision.

• Leading and inspiring College Principals to achieve exceptional learner outcomes.

• Driving excellence in teaching, learning, assessment and curriculum quality.

• Leading quality assurance, self-assessment and continuous improvement across multiple sites.

• Preparing colleges for successful Ofsted inspections while embedding a culture of excellence.

• Using performance data to improve learner achievement, attendance, retention and progression.

• Strengthening progression pathways between schools, colleges and adulthood.

• Building strong relationships with local authorities, employers, regulatory bodies and external stakeholders.

• Developing future leaders through coaching, mentoring and succession planning.

About You

This opportunity will appeal to an accomplished educational leader who combines strategic vision with operational excellence.

You'll already have a strong track record of leading successful further education provision and will be recognised for your ability to improve quality, inspire leadership teams and deliver sustainable organisational improvement.

You'll bring:

• Significant senior leadership experience within Further Education.

• Proven success leading multi-site educational provision or complex organisations.

• Extensive knowledge of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework.

• A strong record of improving quality, learner outcomes and organisational performance.

• Experience leading senior leadership teams through change and continuous improvement.

• Exceptional communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.

• A collaborative leadership style that inspires trust, accountability and innovation.

• A genuine passion for improving opportunities for learners with additional needs.

Essential Qualification

• PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification.

Desirable

• SENCO qualification.

• NPQH or equivalent leadership qualification.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Executive opportunities that genuinely combine strategic influence with meaningful social impact are rare.

In this role, you'll have the autonomy to shape educational strategy across multiple specialist colleges while working within a values-led organisation that invests in innovation, leadership and continuous improvement.

You'll join a collaborative senior leadership team where your ideas will be valued, your expertise respected and your leadership will directly improve the lives of learners preparing for adulthood, independence and employment.

Alongside a competitive executive salary, our client offers an extensive benefits package including healthcare support, wellbeing initiatives, financial wellbeing benefits, flexible pay options, life assurance, leadership development and a genuine commitment to supporting its people.

Ready to Make Your Next Leadership Move?

If you're an inspirational senior education leader looking to make a lasting impact across a growing specialist education group, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Diamond Search Recruitment.

Diamond Search Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. All applications will be handled in the strictest confidence.

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and references. Applications are welcomed from all suitably qualified candidates, and diversity and inclusion are actively championed throughout the recruitment process.