PRINCIPAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE Job Description & Person Specification
Newbattle Abbey College Newbattle Abbey College is Scotland’s adult education residential college, set within an historic 16th century building and 125 acre heritage estate. The college provides a high standard of education to the local community and wider communities across Scotland and the UK. Unique in our approach, the college offers extensive support to adults returning to education and to younger learners in transition. The college operates under a Governing Deed of Trust set up in 1937 by Philip Kerr, 11 th Marquis of Lothian. The Trustees include the Principals and Vice Chancellors of the Universities of Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews. The Trustees have responsibility for maintaining the ownership of Newbattle Abbey College for the Trust purposes. Annual turnover for the college is £1.4m, it employs 38 staff (see attached staff organisation chart), and has, on average, 150 students. The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) provides 42% of income through recurrent grant support for the development and delivery of the curriculum, although no regular support is provided for the upkeep and maintenance of the college’s 125 acre heritage estate and main house. Income is supplemented by commercial opportunities as a heritage venue for conferences, meetings, international visitors and weddings. The college also maintains the Newbattle Abbey Business Park, which is home to 42 SMEs with approximately 200 employees.
Vision, Mission and Values Vision
Scotland’s Life-Changing College
Mission
To be a national residential learning community that: - Promotes lifelong learning - Raises aspirations - Supports learners in transition - Enables learners to change their lives
Values
In the delivery of our mission we will: - Empower individuals - Enhance quality - Act with integrity and mutual respect - Promote equality and diversity
Background The current Principal of Newbattle Abbey College, Ann Southwood, is retiring after 17 years’ service. Ann has established the college as ‘Scotland’s Life-Changing College’ through exceptional leadership and vision, and a commitment to achieving the best results for staff and students. She has developed high quality relationships with national and local partners,
which have enabled the college to make a significant educational, economic, social and cultural contribution to the local economy. The Board of Directors now wish to build on this success, and take the college forward to its next stage of development. The vacancy created by Ann’s retirement is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join the college and work with the Board and Trustees, staff, students and the wider community to fulfil its ambitions for the future.
The Principal As a Director of the college’s Board, the Principal works closely with its members through the Board’s various Committees to ensure sound governance of the college and its activities. The Principal provides leadership for the Senior Management Team, who manage the affairs of the college, and comprises of the Depute Principal and the Business & Resource Manager. As a small national specialist college, the Principal plays a pivotal role for staff and students, and should adopt a hands on approach to the job. It is important the Principal is accessible and has a flexible and approachable outlook. It is the responsibility of the Principal and Chair of the Board to inform the Trustees of developments and future plans of the college Directors. This enables the Trustees to make decisions that affect the college and which are in accordance with the Deed of Trust.
Purpose The Principal is responsible for the overall strategic leadership of the college, formulating and implementing strategic plans to ensure the achievement of the college’s mission ‘to be a national residential learning community’. They will represent the college in the wider community, and be responsible for building relationships and collaborative working with other agencies and institutions. The college is looking outward to the international community, and the Principal should have a strategic vision for this development. By providing inspirational academic leadership, the Principal will always act in the best interests of students, and work with staff to ensure successful outcomes, with a strong focus on quality and standards. This will involve discussion with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council, and working with a wide range of external stakeholders. The Principal will promote the college’s Values, and be a role model for students, enabling them to fulfil their potential. As Accounting Officer, the Principal will ensure the effective and efficient operation of the college, delivering performance targets, budgets, objectives and the strategic plan, as agreed with the Board of Directors. An aptitude for business and identifying opportunities for income generation is a vital element of the role. The role encompasses the management of the 125 acre heritage estate. The effective governance of the college is the responsibility of the Principal and the Board of Directors.
Key Areas of Responsibility Leadership and Vision To lead the college in achieving its strategic aims and objectives, and fulfilling its mission. To support and advise the Board of Directors on the strategic development of the college. To create a culture for staff and students that reflects the Values of the college. To inspire students, staff and the wider community with the Vision of the college as ‘Scotland’s Life-Changing College’. To represent the college at a national and local level by developing high quality relationships. These will include external committees and bodies such as Midlothian Council, Colleges Scotland, Colleges Development Network, Scottish Funding Council, Education Scotland and other key public and third sector organisations, employers and businesses. To ensure effective arrangements are in place for the setting, monitoring, assessment and evaluation of performance against plans. To identify and develop opportunities that will improve the college’s educational and business performance. To be an effective and supportive line manager, leading the Senior Management Team to ensure a shared vision of an inclusive, high performing, values driven College. Academic Leader To ensure the development and delivery of a curriculum, together with the academic activities of the college, fulfils the needs of the college’s diverse range of learners, as well society and stakeholders. To achieve success rates across the college, through a continuous focus on high quality teaching, learning and learner outcomes. To manage, develop and maintain effective quality review systems within the college to support the performance management, skills development, learning and career review of all staff. To make sure the academic standards and the quality of learning and teaching within the college meet, in full, the requirements of all relevant validating and/or examining bodies.
To ensure a high quality and responsive student experience is delivered in a student focused, supportive and inclusive manner. To determine the academic activities of the college to meet the needs of industry and students.
Business and Estates As Accounting Officer, it will be the Principal’s responsibility: To ensure effective control, reporting and development of all college financial, physical and human resources. To manage the future sustainability of the college through robust financial planning. To report to the Board and its Committees on all financial matters relating to the college to allow effective decision making. To deliver the college budget and annual statement of income and expenditure for approval by the Board of Directors. To lead on the formulation of business plans and financial strategies for the commercial resilience of the college. To utilise entrepreneurial skills and be creative and innovative in generating additional income for the college. To be responsible for Risk Management and Health & Safety across the college, reporting risks to the Board and advising how to mitigate these risks. To manage the Newbattle Abbey heritage estate and main building on behalf of the Trustees.
Effective Governance To ensure the college complies with all its statutory and regulatory responsibilities including the Code of Good Governance for Scotland’s Colleges. To work closely with the Chair of the Board of Directors to ensure the effective oversight and performance of the college and to promote good governance. To ensure the Board and its Committees receive timely and accurate information to enable the effective oversight of college activities and to properly discharge its responsibilities.
To report to the Trustees of the college on the development and strategic plans of the Board of Directors, and any other relevant activity.
Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential A degree and/or professional qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area
Desirable A post graduate qualification
Evidence of commitment to professional and personal development
An appropriate management/leadership qualification and/or evidence of substantial professional development in leadership and management Experience and Knowledge Essential A successful track record of strategic leadership and management at senior level in a complex environment
A good knowledge of the educational and political environment in which the college operates
A clear understanding of statutory and educational legislation within the college sector
Extensive experience of building valuable and influential relationships with individuals and organisations
Proven entrepreneurial approach to income generation balanced against a sound understanding of risk management
A sound understanding of financial
Desirable Experience as a senior executive in the education or training sector
Experience of working with national, regional and local agencies
Able to demonstrate a record of achievement in Further and/or Higher Educational Sector
accountability and good governance
A good knowledge of issues relating to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults
A proven track record in financial and budgetary control Skills and Ability Essential The ability to lead others and provide an environment where people will feel motivated and supported
Outstanding interpersonal skills and exceptional negotiating skills
An ability to operate within tight financial constraints
Entrepreneurial skills and an innovative and creative approach to income generation
Excellent skills in organisational communication – both verbal and written
Ability to coach and mentor senior staff
Good analytical skills
Desirable Full driving licence
Conditions of Service Post Title:
Principal & Chief Executive
Location:
Newbattle Abbey College
Term of Appointment:
Permanent
Remuneration:
In the region of £65,000 - £70,000 per annum depending on experience
Pension Scheme:
Dependent on eligibility, either the SPPA Scheme or Lothian Pension Fund Scheme
Reporting to:
Newbattle Abbey College Board of Directors
Line Management:
Depute Principal Business & Resource Manager
Further information on Newbattle Abbey College, including the Strategic Plan 2016-2020; Outcome Agreement 2017-2010 and the Report & Accounts for 2015-16, can be obtained from the website www.newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk
