Weston College and University Centre Weston are establishing a new Aerospace & Defence Skills Academy, based at Airbus Filton in Bristol, and are seeking an exceptional senior leader to become its founding Vice Principal.
This is a rare opportunity to shape, build and lead a flagship academy from the ground up - playing a pivotal role in developing the future workforce for aerospace, advanced engineering, security and defence-related technologies.
The Academy is an education-led, industry-informed initiative, designed to deliver high-quality technical education, apprenticeships and higher-level skills aligned to real workforce need. It will operate from a dedicated facility on the Airbus Filton site and is scheduled to welcome its first learners in September 2026.
This is not a stewardship role.
It is a build, scale and lead opportunity.
About the role
As Vice Principal, you will provide strategic leadership for the creation and growth of the Aerospace Skills Academy, overseeing its development from concept through to full operational delivery.
You will:
* Set the Academy's vision, strategy and delivery model
* Build and sustain high-impact partnerships with employers, supply chain organisations and public-sector stakeholders
* Shape employer-aligned curriculum, apprenticeships and higher technical provision
* Ensure educational quality, compliance and inspection readiness
* Drive growth, income generation, learner outcomes and long-term sustainability
* Position the Academy as a nationally recognised centre of excellence in technical and engineering education
The role is externally facing and influential, operating at a senior level within the College and across regional and national employer networks.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking a senior leader with the credibility, strategic capability and personal impact to lead a high-profile, complex, multi-stakeholder initiative.
We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:
* Senior leadership experience within aerospace, advanced engineering, manufacturing, defence, security, or closely related technical sectors
* Experience operating at a senior level within Further Education, Higher Education, or a complex skills, training or workforce development environment
* Strong employer engagement and partnership development capability, with the confidence to operate at board and executive level
* Strategic leadership experience, including responsibility for growth, performance, delivery and organisational reputation
We also recognise that outstanding candidates from an industry-led background may not have worked directly within Further or Higher Education. Applicants with strong senior industry leadership experience will therefore be actively encouraged to apply and will be supported by an established curriculum and quality team to develop their understanding of education frameworks and regulatory requirements.
Experience of:
* building new provision or facilities
* developing skills pipelines, apprenticeships or workforce programmes
* operating in regulated, high-risk or highly scrutinised environments
* leading through change, complexity and ambiguity will be highly advantageous.
Why join Weston College?
This role offers the opportunity to:
* Create and lead a new Aerospace & Defence Skills Academy at Airbus Filton
* Work in close partnership with leading aerospace, engineering and defence organisations to develop future-facing technical capability
* Shape provision from Level 2 through to Higher Education, including apprenticeships and emerging technologies
* Influence regional and national skills agendas
* Leave a lasting legacy by building a centre of excellence that will shape careers, communities and industry capability for years to come
Find out more about this new academy in our recent news article: Future Engineers Wanted: Weston College Unveils Plans for £2.6m Skills Academy at Airbus Filton | Weston College
Weston College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. #INDHP
Weston College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Successful applicants will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS check and/or obtain the appropriate prison clearance before starting the role and maintain this throughout employment.
