Chief Executive Officer

Location

Coleg Cambria

Application Deadline

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Scale Point From

Circa £200,000

Scale Point To

Circa £200,000

Job Profile

Student Candidate Welcome Letter Welcome Letter from the Chair of the Board

Coleg Cambria: An Introduction

At Coleg Cambria, our aim is to be an exceptional institute of education.

We provide a warm welcome to all students and staff to make Coleg Cambria a place you want to be a part of. To ensure our students get the best experience and results they can, we make sure the people employed with us are happy. We nurture a positive work environment, a constantly expanding and improving workforce, and offer the opportunity to challenge yourself. On top of all that we have a wide range of benefits to make sure our employees feel valued, including generous annual leave, a great pension package, discount membership to our on-site gyms, salons, and professional training restaurants.

Our 5 Campuses situated in the stunning North Wales area are constantly expanding and evolving. With strong relationships with multiple companies in the area we help give our students the best start to their careers and help the local economy thrive. Wales has a strong and proud culture we continue to grow these important values by being committed to raising the Welsh language profile. We are very proud of what we have built here and we are now looking for someone to enhance our already exceptional workforce.

Job Summary

Our recruitment partners AoC are supporting us with this recruitment process. Please view the microsite for full details on the role and application process: https://www.aoc.co.uk/recruitment/current-opportunities/chief-executive-officer?x-craft-preview=3d6e2caaf9cc8667177eadf4d80d562bce8b7dbe6cfde843ab3ac39784f791beqbxiqhsbvo&token=o7KwBHm6SSNFfpNgJWDNXCCUrEUquo4C or contact Bernie Cullen: [email protected]

Coleg Cambria is one of the UK's largest and most successful colleges, serving as the primary provider of tertiary and further education across North East Wales. With an annual income exceeding £95 million and five campuses, including sixth-form provision and a state-of-the-art land-based campus, we deliver high-quality education and training to communities across a region of around 400,000 people.

Recognised for academic excellence, innovation, and strong student outcomes, Coleg Cambria plays a pivotal role in driving skills, aspiration, and regional economic growth. Through impactful partnerships with employers, policymakers, and community stakeholders, we shape the future for learners, businesses, and communities alike. We are a major Welsh language and bilingual provider in the region and beyond, and ensure that the Welsh language and culture are vibrant, celebrated components of our everyday college life.

Our success is built on our people. As a sector-leading college, we place culture, collaboration, and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. A destination of choice for students and an employer of choice, we foster an environment where learners and colleagues are empowered to excel, develop, and make a meaningful difference. Our collaborative approach to Social Partnership ensures authentic consultation and co-construction within the college and is embedded into the college’s decision making structures.

We offer a diverse and ambitious curriculum, ranging from A Level programmes and industry-focused vocational pathways to an impactful Higher Education portfolio and nationally recognised land-based provision. Our commitment to delivering exceptional, personalised learning ensures every student is enabled to achieve their full potential.

Coleg Cambria is in a position of strength. Alongside our robust financial foundation, we are continuing to invest over £30 million in industry leading facilities. Our employer partnerships continue to drive curriculum innovation, while our ambitious digital transformation programme enhances the experience for both students and staff.

We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to lead Coleg Cambria. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the UK's most successful colleges, building on an outstanding platform and driving even greater impact for learners, employers and communities across the region.

Our next CEO will build on Coleg Cambria’s exceptional success and provide inspirational leadership to ensure we remain an agile, forward-thinking institution that promotes participation, drives economic prosperity, delivers innovative, high-quality provision and is a supportive and thriving workplace.

Working closely with the Board, Social Partnership, staff, learners and stakeholders, you will drive and deliver a compelling strategic vision that positions the college for continued success in a rapidly evolving environment. You will navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by developments in the tertiary sector, Medr and Welsh Government priorities and the aspirations of our regional partners, ensuring Coleg Cambria remains at the forefront of educational excellence and innovation.

A visible and influential ambassador for the college, you will build and strengthen strategic partnerships across government, business, education and the wider community, identifying opportunities that enhance our impact, reputation and reach. Internally, you will inspire and empower a highly capable leadership team and talented workforce, championing a culture of ambition, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.

We are seeking an aspirational, values-driven and entrepreneurial leader with a proven track record of success within a large, complex organisation . You will bring strategic vision, commercial acumen, and exceptional leadership skills, coupled with the ability to translate ambition into tangible outcomes. Politically astute and highly credible, you will possess the presence, authenticity and relationship-building skills to engage and inspire a diverse range of audiences.

Above all, you will share our passion for transforming lives through education and our commitment to delivering the very best outcomes for learners. An appreciation of Welsh culture and language is essential, alongside a genuine commitment to promoting and embedding the Welsh language and culture throughout our college community as we contribute to the creation of a thriving and prosperous Wales.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a sector-leading institution with a strong financial foundation, an outstanding reputation and an ambitious future. If you are driven by the opportunity to make a lasting difference to learners, communities and the wider region, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Welsh skills are desirable for this specific post. We are seeking candidates who can help us grow our bilingual provision and service.

Coleg Cambria aims to actively promote and embed the Welsh language and culture. We are committed to providing opportunities and support for our colleagues to develop their Welsh language skills in both formal and informal settings. This includes access to tailored Welsh language training plans as well as incentive payments for bilingual delivery and services.

We highly encourage applications in Welsh. An application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Application forms, explanatory material, information about the interview process and assessment methods and job descriptions all available in Welsh.

Coleg Cambria is a ‘Disability Confident’ Employer.

We are building a college that reflects the vibrant, diverse community we serve. We warmly welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups.

Coleg Cambria is committed to safeguarding all learners, and we expect every member of staff to share this commitment.

This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and is classed as regulated activity. It therefore requires an Enhanced DBS with Barred List check, and applicants must disclose all cautions and convictions, including spent ones. It is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children. Disclosure will not automatically prevent employment; a risk assessment will be carried out however we may deem some convictions / cautions as unsuitable to work with children.

Depending on the position, successful candidates may also need to register with the Education Workforce Council.

Roles are normally advertised with a salary range. If you are offered a role at the college, relevant experience will be taken into consideration to determine your starting salary.

Please be aware that Coleg Cambria reserves the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We would recommend that if you wish to be considered that you complete the application as promptly as possible.

Benefits

Excellent Pension Scheme(s)

Generous Annual Leave Entitlement

On site nursery provision at our Deeside site

Discounts on a Range Of College Evening Courses

Access to A Wide Range of E-Learning and Professional Development

Discounted Gym Membership

Excellent Sports and Fitness Facilities

Free Parking on All Sites

Cycle Scheme

Discounted Rates for Hairdressing and Beauty Treatments

Discounted Rates for Restaurants

Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity leave