Vacancies
We currently have a vacancies for:
Head of National Bargaining
£70,020 + Good Benefits
The college sector plays a vital role in providing people of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances with opportunities to gain qualifications and develop skills that can transform lives and support career progression. It also makes a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s ambitions for a more inclusive society and a sustainable, growing economy.
Colleges Scotland is the collective voice of the college sector. As the membership body, it represents all 24 colleges in Scotland and one strategic regional body, delivering further education provision and around a quarter of all higher education in Scotland. Colleges Scotland also acts as the employers’ association – College Employers Scotland (CES).
College Employers Scotland 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 achievements include a four-year pay deal for lecturing staff, a three-year pay agreement for support staff, the implementation of the first two national policies on menopause and discipline, a refreshed proposal to advance job evaluation for support staff, and the professional registration of lecturers.
As Head of National Bargaining, you will ensure CES continues to maintain effective and productive relationships with trade union officials, enabling agreements to be reached at both strategic and operational levels in support of the national bargaining programme. Through established negotiation mechanisms, you will lead the development, agreement, and implementation of job evaluation for support staff in Scotland’s colleges. You will also build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, influencing priority issues and fostering sustainable partnerships.
The successful candidate will be an experienced HR professional and a solution-focused negotiator, with a strong track record in trade union negotiations and dispute resolution. You will bring expertise in consultation processes, experience of managing and mitigating employment relations issues and risks, and the ability to communicate with credibility and impact.
This is a unique national role that offers the opportunity to lead on all aspects of national bargaining and engagement with support staff and lecturing staff trade unions, while directly supporting a sector central to inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Scotland.
For more information please review the full role profile: Head of National Bargaining or contact Douglas Adam at Livingston James our retained recruitment advisors, via
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.
Corporate and Governance Manager
Contract: Fixed Term until January 2028
Location: Stirling office based, with Hybrid Working Policy
Reports to: Director of Strategic Policy and Corporate Governance
Direct reports: Finance Officer and Corporate and Governance Officer
Salary: £52,251
Hours of Work: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Colleges Scotland is the voice of the college sector in Scotland. As the membership organisation, we campaign, advocate and influence policy on behalf of the sector. Colleges Scotland is a connecting organisation, harnessing the capacity of wider sector resource to produce greater impact and have more influence with key stakeholders.
Scotland’s 24 colleges operate in 13 regions across Scotland, allowing them to plan nationally and regionally, as well as deliver locally, and there is a regional strategic body co-ordinating approaches for colleges in the Highlands and Islands region. We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Corporate and Governance Manager to lead and ensure effective delivery of our corporate function.
About the Role
This is a pivotal role, directly supporting the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chief Executive Officer, Directors and the Senior Leadership Team. You will act as Secretary to the Board, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, while also overseeing finance, corporate services, and governance processes.
The postholder will manage a small team and work closely with senior stakeholders to deliver high-quality outputs that meet the needs of our organisation and members.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as Secretary to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance, smooth running of the Board of Trustees, and good information flow through supporting the Board of Trustees and Committee operations.
- Advise the Board of Trustees and the Senior Leadership Team on governance matters, to ensure the Board of Trustees adheres to approved policies and procedures, and is kept abreast of potential developments.
- Lead corporate governance processes, including compliance with appropriate standards and obligations, and development of governance within Colleges Scotland.
- Oversee corporate services, including office management, business continuity planning, contracts, and service-level agreements.
- Manage and monitor budget, and oversee financial planning and reporting across the function, driving additional income streams as appropriate.
- Line manage the Finance Officer and Corporate and Governance Officer, ensuring effective performance and professional development.
- Provide expert support to the Executive Team.
About You
We are looking for an accomplished manager who brings:
- Education to SCQF Level 10 or equivalent experience.
- Experience providing governance support and advice at Board level.
- Strong financial management and planning skills.
- Excellent organisational and project management ability, with the confidence to lead.
- Highly effective communication and influencing skills, with credibility across senior stakeholders.
- Proven leadership skills, with the ability to manage, motivate and develop a team.
- A diplomatic, solution-focused and pragmatic approach, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of Scotland’s college sector is desirable but not essential.
Why Join Us?
This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in supporting Scotland’s colleges at a strategic level, working with senior leaders to ensure strong governance and efficient corporate services. You will be joining a collaborative and purposeful team, with the chance to make a real impact.
How to Apply
View further information in the
pdf
Corporate and Governance Manager Job Description(325 KB)
. To apply for this role, please submit your CV along with a covering letter that highlights your relevant knowledge and experience in relation to the job description and person specification to
Recruitment Timetable
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 15 October 2025
Interviews: Tuesday 28 October 2025
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Andy Witty, Director of Strategic Policy and Corporate Governance (