Optimistic – Equity – Kindness – Innovation – Collaboration

Kindly note that we do not accept CVs, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education requirements. All applications must be submitted via the link provided only.

Are you passionate about shaping the future of students and driving a culture of success? Derby College Group (DCG) are recruiting for an inspiring leader as Head of Student Development. Reporting to the Vice Principal – Student Experience and Inclusion, you will play a pivotal role in delivering a cohesive and ambitious approach to personal development, careers education, enrichment, and student engagement. You will lead a dynamic agenda that promotes positive behaviour, leadership, and active citizenship, ensuring all students are fully prepared for their next steps.

The Opportunity

This is a leadership opportunity to drive and implement a college-wide student experience strategy, Lead a high-quality careers and personal development curriculum, ensuring meaningful progression opportunities for all students across 16–18, apprenticeship, and adult provision, Champion a positive and inclusive behaviour culture, embedding trauma-informed and relational approaches across the college and oversee a vibrant enrichment and student leadership offer, including volunteering, civic engagement, and wider skills development. You will be developing staff capability through professional development and collaboration, particularly within personal tutoring and student support.

For a full explanation of the roles and responsibilities, please click here.

About You

We are looking for a visionary leader with:Proven experience in student development, behaviour, and enrichment leadership, a strong understanding of safeguarding, inclusion, and Ofsted frameworks and the ability to inspire teams, build partnerships, and deliver measurable impact for diverse student communities.If you are driven by making a difference and ready to shape an outstanding student experience across the college, we would love to hear from you!

Join us and make a lasting impact on the lives of our students—helping them achieve their potential and prepare for bright futures.

For a full explanation of the Person Specification, please clickhere.

The Benefits

Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.9% employer contribution
Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
TOTUM discount card (aka NUS/Student Discount Card) / discounted Tastecard
Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
Microsoft Office for FREE with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage
Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
Flint Bishop Solicitors – free will writing, 1-hour free consultation with family department, 10% discount on Conveyancing services
Continuous development and progression opportunities

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace which promotes and values diversity. We welcome all talent irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We ensure that our policies and procedures treat all applicants consistently and fairly during our recruitment process.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, reasonable adjustments, or about the role, please contact us at hrrecruitment@derby-college.ac.uk.

Safeguarding statement

DCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. An online search of the preferred candidate is completed to help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the college may need to explore with the candidate further. Please be advised that it is an offence to apply for this position if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a PSL of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list.

Visa sponsorship

Please note that unfortunately, this role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information. If you are on a graduate visa please let us know on your application so we can assess eligibility for employment with us.

Job Description

£49,842 per annum

Derby College Group

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Head of Student Development