1. Advert
School of Coding & AI Location: West Midlands (with a national and international remit)
Salary: £100k+ , senior leadership package
Contract: Full‑time, permanent
Start date: By negotiation
The School of Coding & AI (SOC) is entering a bold new chapter—and we are seeking an exceptional leader to help shape it.
Founded by entrepreneur and educator Mandeep Athwal, the School of Coding has grown from a local coding school into one of the UK’s most dynamic digital education organisations. SOC works with schools, employers, and universities to widen access to technology related careers by opening doors for learners who have historically been excluded from Higher Education and the digital economy. The company has been delivering Higher Education provision in Birmingham to over 2000 students on degree programmes.
As we are preparing for Office for Students (OfS) registration and the launch of our new Higher Education portfolio, we are appointing our first Principal a transformative academic and organisational leader who will serve as the Accountable Officer.
This is a rare opportunity to join a mission and values‑driven organisation with a powerful purpose: to disrupt traditional Higher Education and democratise access to digital futures.
About the Role
The principal will lead the academic, regulatory, and quality assurance functions of the School of Coding & AI. You will shape our Higher Education strategy, build strong partnerships with universities, and ensure that our programmes meet the highest standards of academic integrity, student experience, and regulatory compliance.
You will be the senior academic leader of the organisation and a key strategic partner to the CEO, driving forward our 2026–2031 vision to become a nationally recognised leader in inclusive, technology‑enhanced Higher Education.
Who We’re Looking For
You will be an experienced senior leader from Higher Education who brings experience from having worked in a variety of different Higher Education organisations. You will have directly managed and led academic governance, quality assurance, learning, teaching and student support functions, operating within English regulatory frameworks; and have shown passion and direct experience of leading programmes relating to widening participation and social mobility
You will bring credibility, integrity, and the ability to inspire staff and students alike. You will thrive in a fast‑moving, entrepreneurial environment and share our belief that talent is equally distributed, even when opportunity is not.
If you want to build something new, meaningful, and sector‑changing, we would love to hear from you.
2. Job Description
Role Purpose
The principal is the senior academic leader of the School of Coding & AI and will serve as the Accountable Officer with the Office for Students (OfS) upon successful registration. The role provides strategic leadership for academic delivery, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and student experience across all Higher Education provision.
Working closely with the CEO and Board of Governors, the postholder will drive the organisation’s mission to democratise digitally focused Higher Education, remove structural barriers to participation, and deliver high‑quality, inclusive learning experiences.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of the School of Coding & AI’s Higher Education portfolio and related infrastrcuture.
- Lead the implementation of the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment with organisational values and mission.
- Act as a key advisor and strategic partner to the CEO, contributing to organisational planning, growth, and innovation.
Accountable Officer Responsibilities (OfS)
- Serve as the designated Accountable Officer for the Office for Students once registration is secured.
- Ensure compliance with all OfS conditions of registration, including quality, standards, governance, data, financial sustainability, and student protection.
- Provide accurate, timely, and transparent reporting to the OfS and other regulatory bodies.
- Uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and public interest governance.
Academic Leadership and Quality Assurance
- Lead academic governance structures, including Academic Board and associated committees.
- Ensure compliance with the quality assurance frameworks of awarding university partners and develop SoC’s own academic policies and practices.
- Oversee programme design, approval, monitoring, and review processes.
- Ensure robust arrangements for academic standards, assessment integrity, external examining, and student outcomes.
Student Experience and Inclusion
- Champion an inclusive, supportive, and empowering student experience aligned with SOC’s values.
- Oversee student voice mechanisms, co‑creation initiatives, and continuous enhancement of learning and teaching.
- Ensure that the student experience, including access to partner‑university services, is monitored, evaluated, and improved.
Partnerships and External Relations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with awarding universities, employers, regulators, and sector bodies.
- Represent the School of Coding & AI at senior external meetings, networks, and events.
- Support the development of new partnerships that expand opportunities and enhance student outcomes.
Organisational Leadership
- Deputise for the CEO as required.
- Provide leadership to academic and professional services teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Model SOC’s values—Inspire, Encourage, Commit, Stay Positive, Believe—in all aspects of leadership.
3. Person Specification
Essential
- Senior leadership experience in Higher Education (e.g. Pro Vice‑Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellor or Principal), with experience of working in a variety of different tyoes of Higher Education organisation.
- Deep understanding of UK HE regulation, including OfS conditions of registration.
- Experience of leading academic governance, quality assurance, learning, teaching and student-facing services and partnership management.
- Commitment to widening participation, social mobility, and inclusive education.
- Strong strategic thinking, communication, and organisational leadership skills.
- High levels of integrity, accountability, and professional credibility.
Desirable
- Experience working with alternative providers or in partnership‑based HE delivery.
- Experience in digital education, technology‑enhanced learning, or STEM‑related disciplines.
- Understanding the needs of underrepresented learners and communities.
