Advertised from 5 August 2025

Role

The college sector plays a vital role in providing people of all ages, backgrounds, and life circumstances with opportunities to gain qualifications and develop skills that can transform lives and support career progression. It also contributes significantly to the Scottish Government’s ambitions for a more inclusive society and a sustainable, growing economy.

Colleges Scotland is the collective voice for the college sector, and as the membership body, represents all 24 colleges in Scotland and one strategic regional bodies, delivering further education provision and around a quarter of all higher education in Scotland. We also act as the employers’ association – College Employers Scotland. 

College Employers Scotland (CES) is the national representative body for Scotland’s colleges as employers, with a primary focus on delivering national bargaining for pay, terms, and conditions. Recent successes of national bargaining include multi-year pay agreements for both support and lecturing staff, along with the development of progressive national policies on areas such as menopause and disciplinary procedures.

As Director of CES, you will build on these achievements and ensure the organisation continues to support its members effectively in delivering their collective ambitions. As the key spokesperson for CES and a national-level leader, you will be responsible for shaping and driving the continued development and implementation of its strategy—ensuring CES maintains clear ownership of, and a proactive approach to, national bargaining. Central to your success will be the ability to cultivate and sustain strong relationships with a broad range of external stakeholders to enable effective and genuine partnership working.

As a key member of Colleges Scotland’s small Executive Team, you will also contribute directly to shaping strategies and operational plans that underpin the delivery of Colleges Scotland’s broader strategic objectives.

We are seeking a strategic, solutions-focused leader with strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management experience. Politically astute, you will bring excellent ambassadorial and communication skills, with the ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively across a range of platforms. A skilled negotiator with a proven track record of securing successful outcomes, you will be adaptable in your approach able to respond creatively to emerging challenges and adjust priorities as needed.

This is a unique and high profile role that will provide you with the opportunity to make a lasting impact not only for colleges but for the learners, staff, and communities they serve.

Application notes

For more information please review the full role profile via this link: College Employers Scotland - Director or contact Douglas Adam at Livingston James our retained recruitment advisors, via douglasadam@livingstonjames.com

NB: Colleges Scotland operates a Hybrid Working Policy. While this post is formally based in Stirling, it is expected that the successful candidate will not be required to work from the office on a full-time basis each week.

Colleges Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.