Assistant Principal - Employer Skills, Innovation & Growth

Assistant Principal - Employer Skills, Innovation & Growth

Location: North London. Cross-College 
Salary: £75,000 + Performance Related Pay up to £10,000
Contract: Full Time

The Opportunity

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially focused senior leader to join our Executive Leadership Team as Assistant Principal - Employer Skills, Innovation & Growth.

This is a strategic leadership role with responsibility for driving employer engagement, apprenticeships, business development, commercial income growth and innovation across the organisation.

Reporting directly to the Principal & CEO, you will lead key service areas including Apprenticeships, Employer Skills, Business Development and Commercial Services, ensuring the organisation continues to meet employer needs whilst delivering sustainable growth and outstanding learner and employer outcomes. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and growth of Apprenticeships, Employer Engagement and Commercial Services.
• Drive employer partnerships, income generation and business development activities.
• Maximise apprenticeship recruitment, retention, achievement and employer satisfaction.
• Develop innovative employer-led provision aligned to local, regional and national skills priorities.
• Lead on business growth opportunities, commercial services and new income streams.
• Oversee ESFA funding compliance and audit readiness.
• Contribute to funding bids, tenders and strategic partnerships.
• Lead employer advisory boards and strengthen links with key industry stakeholders.
• Manage significant budgets, resources and high-performing teams.
• Act as the organisational lead for apprenticeship quality and continuous improvement. 

About You

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience within Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement.
• A proven track record of growing income and developing commercial opportunities.
• Experience building strategic employer partnerships.
• Strong understanding of apprenticeship funding rules and ESFA requirements.
• Experience leading teams through growth and change.
• Knowledge of bid writing, tender submissions and securing external funding.
• Experience of Ofsted, quality improvement and performance management.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
• A passion for developing employer-responsive provision and driving innovation. 

What's On Offer

• Salary of £75,000 plus up to £10,000 PRP.
• Executive leadership opportunity.
• Ability to shape employer skills strategy and future growth.
• Significant influence across curriculum, commercial and apprenticeship provision.
• Opportunity to create lasting impact within a growing organisation.