Open College of the Arts
Deputy Principal (Academic)
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36.5 hours per week - 1.0 FTE - Full Time (Permanent)
Weekly onsite attendance required at OCA Head Office - Barnsley - South Yorkshire
The salary for this post is from £66,679 – (SCP 50) – (cost of living increase from 1st August 2026 to £68,013).
About the Role
The Open College of the Arts is celebrating our 40th anniversary as an open access distance learning provider of creative arts education, part of School of Creative Industries within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences within the Open University Group.
We are seeking an experienced leader in higher education for the role of Deputy Principal (Academic). Working with the Director of Curriculum and Quality and senior academic staff, you will be responsible for strategic leadership, curriculum direction and academic quality, student success and the range and reputation of the OCA’s teaching and learning. You can expect to be fully involved with the overall strategic development and operational services of the OCA, establishing an academic vision for the college aligned to the OU School of Creative Industries and wider Open University Strategy. This will involve taking leadership of academic enhancement projects and establishing projects, expectation and accountability in respect of student success.
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Responsibilities
You will have experience of leadership and management within a Higher Education environment. As a leader with credibility of managing change within a complex educational setting, you will have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of best practices around the creative, professional, academic, operational and regulatory requirements of online and distance learning.
Requirements
The role is permanent and will require weekly onsite attendance to OCA Head Office as well as regular visits to the Open University. For more information on the role’s expectations and requirements, please see the role description and person specification.
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Application Information
Deputy Principal (Academic) Role details and Job Description - https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSE102/deputy-principal-academic
This role is open to external and internal candidates. To apply please submit a cover letter, that details how you meet the Job Description / Person Specification and a current CV. Please email your cover letter and CV to hr@oca.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is by Friday 4th September 2026.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Will Woods at: principal@oca.ac.uk.
Candidates that have been successfully shortlisted will be invited to an interview. It is anticipated that these will take place during September 2026.
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