The Open College of the Arts
Location: Barnsley
Salary: From £66,679 (SCP 50) – (cost of living increase from 1st August 2026 to £68,013)
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Placed On: 7th July 2026
Closes: 4th September 2026
36.5 hours per week - 1.0 FTE - Full Time (Permanent)
Weekly onsite attendance required at OCA Head Office - Barnsley - South Yorkshire
The salary for this post is from £66,679 – (SCP 50) – (cost of living increase from 1st August 2026 to £68,013).
The Open College of the Arts is celebrating our 40th anniversary as an open access distance learning provider of creative arts education, part of the School of Creative Industries in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences within the Open University (OU) Group.
We are seeking an experienced leader in higher education for the role of Deputy Principal (Academic). Working with the Director of Curriculum and Quality and senior academic staff, you will be responsible for strategic leadership, curriculum direction and academic quality, student success and the range and reputation of the OCA’s teaching and learning.
You can expect to be fully involved with the overall strategic development and operational services of the OCA, establishing an academic vision for the college aligned to the OU School of Creative Industries and wider OU Strategy. This will involve taking leadership of academic enhancement projects and establishing projects, expectation and accountability in respect of student success.
You will have experience of leadership and management within a Higher Education environment. As a leader with credibility of managing change within a complex educational setting, you will have up-to-date knowledge and understanding of best practices around the creative, professional, academic, operational and regulatory requirements of online and distance learning.
The role is permanent and will require weekly onsite attendance at OCA Head Office (based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire) as well as regular visits to the Open University (Milton Keynes) where you will act as the primary liaison between the College and the School of Creative Industries (OU). For more information on the expectations and requirements of the role, please see the job description and person specification.
Application information
This role is open to external and internal candidates.
To apply, please submit a cover letter that details how you meet the Job Description / Person Specification and a current CV. Please email your cover letter and CV via the 'Apply' button above (e: hr@oca.ac.uk).
The deadline for applications is Friday 4th September 2026 – (12 pm noon).
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Will Woods at: principal@oca.ac.uk
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, where it is anticipated these will take place during September or early October 2026.
