Chief Executive Officer

Do you have the vision and drive to lead one of the largest Outstanding college groups in the UK to deliver its strategic aims and ambitions?

Are you motivated by the prospect of changing lives through learning?

If so, keep reading as we are looking to recruit a:

Chief Executive Officer at Chichester College Group

based at Chichester but working across West Sussex.

What can we offer you?

As Chief Executive Officer you will have a platform to provide outstanding leadership to the Group to enable it to continue to meet its strategic priorities, whilst ensuring outstanding teaching and learning is delivered every day. You will be a member of the Governing Body and a Director of the Corporation’s subsidiary companies, as well as sitting on a range of partnership boards, enabling you to be innovative and have a commercial and quality focus.

You will have an opportunity to put your networking and communication skills to good use as having both an inward and outward focus, you will represent the Group externally, whilst remaining a highly visible leader internally.

As our Chief Executive Officer, you will also be eligible for benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• 10% PRP (subject to performance and scheme rules)
• Private medical insurance
• Contribution towards relocation

Who we are:

Chichester College Group consists of five vibrant colleges (including a land-based college) as well as a diverse set of commercial businesses including Anglia Examinations, First Steps Childcare Group and International.  Based at locations across West Sussex and committed to offering a breadth of opportunity and choice, in 2019/20, the Group educated and trained more than 20,000 full and part-time students across a range of A-levels, vocational qualifications, higher education and apprenticeships.

We were proud to be awarded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in May 2020, especially as we received ‘Outstanding’ grades in every judgement area, making us the largest college group to accomplish this under the new Ofsted framework.   We also celebrate high achievement rates across the Group.

We are rooted in our commitment to our local communities and each of our colleges reflects the local area within which it operates.  We employ approximately 2,000 passionate and diverse staff across our businesses, and we have nurtured great relationships with local employers, partners and the charitable sector.  We are committed to living our values, and we involve and include staff in decision making. We really believe that we change lives through learning.

What we ask of you:

Whilst you don’t need to have a teaching background, you do need to have a detailed, strategic level of understanding of the FE sector and the challenges it faces, as well as a proven track record in leadership of a large, complex organisation. You need to have experience of working successfully and collaboratively with teams and of fostering an inclusive environment.

You will bring a significant track record in relation to financial management, developing partnerships and above all, raising standards and driving through quality improvements.   

As Chief Executive Officer, you will also carry out the role of Chief Accounting Officer, providing vision and focus and will ensure that the Group meets its financial targets and that new financial streams are progressed. You will be accountable for all aspects of the Group’s diverse operations, ensuring excellence and effectiveness. 

How to get in contact:

For an informal discussion about the role, please email Shelagh Legrave, CEO at shelagh.legrave@chichester.ac.uk    

For details on how to apply, and more information about the role and the Group, please go to chigroup.ac.uk/chiefexec

We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds.

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 26th May 2021

Shortlisting – week of 7th June and selection will take place on 22nd and 23rd June 2021.

All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, which may include a check of the barred lists and any relevant overseas checks.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer.