Appointment of Chair of Glasgow Kelvin College

Job Summary: Chair of the Board of Management (Glasgow Kelvin College)

The Scottish Government is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to serve as the Chair of Glasgow Kelvin College. This is a prestigious public appointment made by Scottish Ministers. As Chair, you will lead the Board of Management for a major regional college that serves the north and east of Glasgow, ensuring high standards of governance, financial accountability, and educational excellence for its diverse student body.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Provide the vision and direction for the College’s Board, ensuring the institution meets its statutory obligations and regional educational needs.

• Governance & Oversight: Lead a board of approximately 18 members, fostering an environment of “constructive challenge” to ensure robust decision-making.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the Principal (Chief Executive), the Scottish Funding Council, and Scottish Ministers to align college outcomes with national policy.

• Public Accountability: Ensure the college maintains financial stability and high-quality learning outcomes while operating under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992.

• External Engagement: Represent the College in a complex multi-agency environment, building relationships with industry partners, universities, and community groups.

Role Details & Remuneration

• Remuneration: £211 per day, plus reasonable expenses.

• Time Commitment: Average of 2 days per week.

• Duration: 4-year fixed term.

• Location: Glasgow (Springburn, Easterhouse, and East End campuses).

Candidate Requirements

Priority Criterion:

• Collaborative Communication: Proven ability to communicate effectively and build consensus within complex, multi-agency environments.

Essential Criteria:

• Contextual Understanding: A deep grasp of the economic, public sector, and educational landscape in which the college operates.

• Governance Expertise: A track record of delivering results through effective governance and accountability frameworks.

• Strategic Track Record: Demonstrated experience in high-level strategic leadership.

Governance Structure of a Regional College

In the Scottish further education sector, the Board serves as the bridge between government policy and local educational delivery.

Diversity & Representation Statistics

Scottish Ministers are committed to increasing the diversity of public boards to better reflect the citizens they serve. Currently, the Scottish Government tracks representation across several key metrics:

Note: Ministers particularly welcome applications from these groups to address current gaps in representation at the Chair level.

Important Dates & How to Apply

Outreach Events (Springburn Campus):

• Tuesday 24 March 2026 (16:00 – 18:00): Tour and Q&A with Principal Joanna Campbell.

• Thursday 26 March 2026 (16:00 – 18:00): Registration via the Scottish Government’s online form is required.

Application Deadline: 12:00 PM, Friday 17 April 2026.

Submission Checklist:

1. 2-Page CV: Strictly limited to two pages.

2. Supporting Statement: Addressing the priority and essential criteria.

3. Format: Both documents must be saved and uploaded as PDFs.

4. No Edits: Once submitted, applications cannot be changed.

Application Tip: The “Public Appointments” Approach

Public appointments differ from standard corporate roles. They prioritize transparency and public value:

1. Address the Criteria Directly: Use the headings provided in the person specification for your supporting statement.

2. Focus on “The Region”: Mention your connection to or understanding of Glasgow’s specific economic challenges (e.g., community regeneration and skills gaps).

3. Governance vs. Management: Ensure you demonstrate an understanding that the Chair leads the Board (governance), while the Principal leads the College (operations).

   The Scottish Government is the devolved administration for Scotland, responsible for most areas of day-to-day life, including health, education, justice, and transport. While its headquarters is St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh, it maintains a massive and growing operational presence in Glasgow. The city serves as a strategic hub for many of its executive agencies and directorates, particularly those focused on social security, financial services, and digital innovation.

   Major Offices & Hubs in Glasgow

   The Scottish Government’s footprint in Glasgow is centered around several high-spec, modern facilities:

   • Atlantic Quay (5 Atlantic Quay): A primary ministerial and directorate hub in the city center. It houses various government departments and serves as a major base for civil servants working on devolved policy and operational delivery.

   • Glasgow Tribunals Centre: Located at Atlantic Quay, this facility serves as the centralized location for several First-tier Tribunals, including the Housing and Property Chamber and the Social Security Chamber.

   • Social Security Scotland: Headquartered in Dundee but with a major flagship presence in Glasgow, this agency is responsible for managing Scotland’s devolved benefits system.

   • Registers of Scotland (St Vincent Plaza): Located at 319 St Vincent Street, this executive agency maintains the public registers of land, property, and other legal documents in Scotland.

   Key Organization Highlights

   Feature	Details
   Primary Glasgow Hub	5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, G2 8LU
   2026-27 Budget	Almost £68 billion invested across Scotland
   Core Priorities	Eradicating child poverty, green economy, and public service reform
   Civil Service Status	Employees are members of the UK Home Civil Service
   Workforce	Significant portion of the ~18,000 core Scottish Government staff

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   Culture and 2026 Strategy

   The Scottish Government’s culture is defined by the National Performance Framework, which focuses on “wellbeing” rather than just economic growth.

   • Public Service Reform: In 2026, the government is implementing a “cross-portfolio cluster” model to reduce duplication and improve joined-up service delivery across its Glasgow and Edinburgh sites.

   • Hybrid & Smarter Working: The administration is a leader in flexible working, utilizing a “virtual-first” approach for many policy roles, supported by the modern collaborative spaces at Atlantic Quay.

   • Net Zero Commitment: The 2026-27 budget includes significant investment in the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service and circular economy initiatives, reflecting a culture of environmental accountability.

   Employee Benefits

   As an employer, the Scottish Government offers one of the most comprehensive benefit packages in the UK public sector:

   • Pension: Access to the Alpha Civil Service Pension Scheme (one of the few remaining defined-benefit schemes).

   • Leave: Typically 30 days of annual leave plus 11.5 days of public and privilege holidays.

   • Pay Policy: For 2026, the government has committed to pay awards that support lower-income workers while maintaining fiscal sustainability across the public sector.

   • Development: Dedicated “learning days” and internal “talent streams” to encourage movement between different directorates and agencies.