Bring your strategic expertise and boardroom experience to Oldham College, an innovative and inclusive further education college seeking to empower potential and achieve success.
* Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester, North West
About the role
The Governing Board of Oldham College is made up of a group of 15 dedicated and committed strategic leaders who have gained their experience through a broad range of settings and sectors, including further and higher education, the NHS, local charities, local businesses and globally recognised companies.
Along with our external governors, our board also includes staff and student representatives and our Principal & CEO, Simon Jordan. You can find out more about them here.
Alongside our full Governing Board, our Governors also sit on at least one of the following sub-committees, and as Chair, you would be expected to join a number of these:
* Quality & Curriculum
* Resources
* Audit
* Remuneration
* Governance & Search
When you assume full leadership of the Board following an initial period as a Governor and Chair Designate, you will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the strategic direction, governance and reputation of our College.
Appointed for a four-year term, you will ensure that our Board functions as an effective, cohesive and forward-thinking body that upholds the highest standards of corporate governance. As the leader of our Board, you will inspire confidence and collaboration across the Board, the senior executive team and key external partners, ensuring that every decision aligns with the College’s mission to serve students, employers and the wider community.
The role involves providing strong and decisive leadership to the Governing Board, ensuring meetings are conducted efficiently and that the Board remains focused on strategic priorities. As our new Chair, you will collaboratively support and challenge our Principal & CEO and our other senior leaders to achieve the College’s objectives, maintaining accountability for performance, financial sustainability and safeguarding.
A key aspect of the role is to develop the Board itself – building a diverse, skilled and engaged team of governors who contribute effectively to strategic oversight and long-term planning with the support of Janet Frost, our Director of Governance.
As a leading ambassador for the College, we need our new Chair to represent Oldham College with professionalism and enthusiasm, strengthening relationships with employers, local authorities, educational partners and the wider community. Through sound judgement, integrity and a deep understanding of governance, you will ensure that the College continues to enhance quality, drive innovation and deliver positive outcomes for students and stakeholders. This is a non-executive leadership position with real influence – shaping the College’s future and the educational landscape for the communities of Oldham.
Who we are looking for
The successful candidate will be a highly credible, principled and forward-thinking leader who demonstrates a deep personal commitment to further education and the mission of Oldham College.
You will bring a strong belief in the power of education to transform lives and a genuine alignment with the College’s values, aims and community-focused objectives.
You will possess the strategic vision and independent judgement needed to guide the Board through complex decisions, ensuring that governance remains both robust and responsive to the evolving educational and economic landscape. With strong political awareness and an understanding of the regional context, you will be able to anticipate opportunities and challenges while maintaining a clear focus on student success and institutional integrity.
The post holder will also combine sound financial acumen with the confidence to challenge constructively and inspire informed debate. Skilled in networking, influencing and advocacy, you will act as an ambassador for the College, building relationships that strengthen our standing locally, regionally and nationally.
You will also demonstrate the personal discipline to devote the necessary time, energy and focus to the role, attending meetings, events and development activities as required.
Above all, our new Chair will be a person of honesty, integrity and respect — someone who values diversity, upholds confidentiality and models professional behaviour. Through your empowering leadership, they will help shape a culture of inclusion, excellence and accountability across the College community.
Time Commitment: 2 – 3 days per month
Peridot Partners and Oldham College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and our client expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references before any final offer can be made.
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the job pack. For further information about the role or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultant at Peridot Partners.
I am delighted that you are considering joining us as Chair of the Corporation at Oldham College. Oldham College is a place where learners of all ages can nurture passions, expand their horizons and achieve their best in all that they do.
As Chair of the Corporation, you will be responsible for providing leadership to Oldham College’s Governing Board, ensuring it operates effectively and to a high standard. You will work collaboratively with me and the Board and play an important role in the strategic direction and progress of the College.
I look forward to working with our future Chair of the Corporation to continue building on Oldham College’s successes.
Simon Jordan
Principal and CEO
Vision: Together we invest in your future.
Purpose: Empowering potential, achieving success.
Our Strategic pillars:
Student:
Inspire learning: Foster a passion for knowledge through innovative teaching, engaging experiences, and assessments that challenge and motivate all students.
Nurture potential: Cultivate a supportive, inclusive, and vibrant learning environment where all students feel valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
Unlock success: Equip all students with the skills and knowledge to achieve exceptional progress, leading them towards fulfilling destinations.
People:
Empowering well-being: We prioritise staff well‑being, fostering a collaborative environment where work‑life balance empowers a thriving workforce.
Learning for growth: We invest in our staff’s continuous learning and development, supporting them to reach their full potential.
Innovation and ownership: We foster a culture that encourages creative problem‑solving and empowers staff to find their own solutions.
Place:
Cultivate a safe and thriving workplace: Continuously improve and promote safe working practices, fostering a positive safety culture.
Ensure financial stability: Uphold our financial strength, ensuring long‑term sustainability.
Entrust smarter working: Invest in systems and processes that optimise efficiency and effectiveness.
Spark inspiration and learning: Create and maintain high‑quality learning and working environments that inspire and engage.
Partners:
Co‑create industry‑ready curricula: Partner with stakeholders to develop highly responsive curricula aligned with individual needs, local skills gaps, regional demands and national economic priorities.
Support communities through collaborative growth: Drive inward investment, social mobility, and economic regeneration through strong partnerships that support our communities to flourish.
Elevate student potential through partnership: Work with partners to enrich our students’ experiences and aspirations, helping them to reach their full potential.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 12th January 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: No later than Monday 19th January 2026
Interviews: Friday 30th January 2026
Peridot and Oldham College are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout, and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 launched on 25 May 2018.
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