Principal

Role Overview

• Role Title: Principal
• Reporting to: Board of Directors
• Location: Based in Camden, with time spent at other Academy sites.

Purpose of Job 

To be responsible for the overall strategic leadership of the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ),  shaping and delivering innovative educational programs and driving the Academy’s development. The Principal will lead and inspire staff and students, ensuring BAJ’s reputation for excellence in education is strengthened while embodying its core values of Inspire, Nurture, and Train. The Principal will also ensure that BAJ meets all regulatory requirements and maintains strong financial and operational oversight.

Roles and Responsibilities  

The role of the Principal of British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) shall be to: 

• Provide visionary leadership, guiding the Academy’s strategic direction in alignment with the Board of Directors’goals, ensuring the continuous development of programs and services that meet contextual needs.
• Assist and advise BAJ Board of Directors (the Board) in relation to its determination of the Academy’s educational character and mission. 
• Oversee academic performance, curriculum design, and student outcomes, ensuring that BAJ remains at the forefront of jewellery, creative and business education and training.
• Have overall responsibility for, and oversight of, all academic and curriculum matters concerning the Academy, in particular the core educational issues of student performance, teaching and learning, and listening to the student voice. 
• Oversee the financial health of the Academy, ensuring resources are used efficiently, managing risk, and reporting to the Board.
• The Academy Principal will also be pivotal in establishing BAJ as a prime provider of education, supporting and promoting the relationship between the Academy and its stakeholders. 
• Ensure continued development and growth of the Academy’s provision across Study programmes, Apprenticeships, Full-cost activity, and HE, reflecting the Academy’s prominence in terms of scale and the contribution of the Academy’s provision to regional regeneration and development. 
• Lead and manage the Senior Management Team, ensuring that all departments align with BAJ’s strategic goals, legal obligations, and financial regulations.
• Ensure BAJ complies with all legal, regulatory, and educational requirements, safeguarding the welfare of staff and students, where appropriate taking on the role and responsibilities of accountable officer.
• Promote an inclusive and supportive environment that listens to the student voice and ensures the provision of excellent student support services, from guidance and counselling to discipline management.
• Above all, the principal will embody and add value to the vision, mission, and sense of purpose of the Academy, whilst embodying our core values of Inspire, Nurture, and Train. 

Leadership and Management 

The Principal will: 

• Provide effective and inspiring leadership for the Academy, ensuring that all staff are working in collaboration to achieve the highest levels of success for learners. 
• Be a lead ambassador for the Academy developing a strong reputation and excellent key stakeholder relationships at local, regional, and national level. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to the personal growth and development of staff and students at all levels, enabling them to develop the skills necessary to achieve outstanding outcomes. 
• Assist and support the Board in further developing the Academy’s vision and strategy. 
• Ensure that appropriate targets are set and agreed throughout the Academy in order to achieve the agreed strategic aims and objectives, that performance against these targets is monitored, and that the Academy meets the targets. 
• Be visible, open, and accessible to staff, students and stakeholders ensuring strong internal and external communications. 
• Lead and promote a culture of partnership working to raise aspirations and realise ambitions towards achieving outstanding success. 
• Provide exemplary leadership of the Senior Management Team and be accountable for managing the Academy effectively and efficiently. 
• Ensure the Academy fulfils its legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements from Governance, funding, and regulatory bodies. 
• As the Principal for the Academy, ensure that the Board is advised if its actions or policies are incompatible with the financial memorandum, with the Academy’s financial regulations and procedures, or with the Instrument & Articles of Governance. 
• Promote innovation in curriculum design and educational delivery, ensuring that the Academy remains a leader in the jewellery, creative and wider education sector.
• Continuing the development of relevant and appropriate student support services, including information, advice, guidance, and counselling to support the curriculum provision. 
• Supporting the effective operation of all student-related systems including the maintenance of student discipline and, in accordance with the Articles of Governance, the suspension or expulsion of students on disciplinary grounds and implementing decisions to expel on academic grounds. 
• Ensuring that there are mechanisms in place for effective dialogue with learners, and to consult actively and engage with learners in a positive way. 

Corporate Strategy and Policy 

The Principal will: 

Make proposals to the Board about the educational character, activities, and vision of the Academy and to implement the policies and decisions of the Board. This will include: 

• The SMT working closely with the Board and its committees to support them making the maximum possible contribution to the success of the Academy. 
• The Academy identifying the major issues facing it in the medium-term and long-term future, and that it prepares an appropriate response. 
• The articulation of this analysis into a Strategic Plan which clearly outlines the action the Academy must take in the environment in which it finds itself. 
• Closely monitoring the Academy’s progress against this plan and takes appropriate action as the plan develops. 
• Ensuring that Academy policies, procedures, and practices, including those relating to safeguarding, prevent and equality and diversity are promoted and implemented.

Teaching, Students, Curriculum and Quality 

The Principal will: In consultation with the Board sub-committee responsible for Teaching, Students, Curriculum and Quality determine the Academy’s academic activities and ensure the development and operation of systems for review, monitoring, and evaluation of all the Academy’s activities in such a way as to secure continual quality improvement and guarantee equitable treatment for all students and staff. This will include: 

• Ensuring that all aspects in relation to the well-being and safety of visitors, staff and students remain paramount in the culture of the Academy. 
• Academy assets are effectively managed and, particularly the Academy estate is planned, developed, and operated to produce the maximum benefit to the Academy within the context of the Strategic Plan. 
• All budgets and resources are managed within the estimates approved by the Board. 
• Information systems are in place to provide timely robust data to support the management of the Academy, and to ensure accurate and timely reporting to the Board and external agencies. 
• Corporate responsibility for Health, Safety and Wellbeing is embedded and that a safe and healthy environment for learners, staff and visitors to the Academy is promoted.

Corporate Resource Management 

The Principal will: 

act as the Academy’s Principal in accordance with the Articles of Governance, to secure compliance with all rules and regulations and advise the Board fully in accordance with the Financial Memorandum ensuring that: 

• Collaborate closely with the Board to refine and implement the Academy’s vision, mission, and strategic plans.
• Identify long-term challenges and opportunities for BAJ, ensuring that the Academy is responsive to the evolving needs of students,industry and its context.

• Oversee the development and implementation of Academy policies, particularly relating to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Prepare and manage the Academy’s budgets, ensuring efficient and transparent allocation of financial resources.
• Develop strategies to diversify BAJ’s income streams, including expanding apprenticeship programs, full-cost activities, and higher education opportunities.
• Annual estimates of income and expenditure are properly prepared for consideration and approval by the Board. 
• The Academy acquires the maximum financial resources in a manner which is consistent with its stated aims. 
• These resources are allocated and controlled in an equitable and open manner based upon criteria which are clearly stated, and which support the Strategic Plan. 
• All resources are used efficiently and effectively, and that the Academy continues to develop as a financially viable institution.

External Relations 

The Principal will: 

• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including educational institutions, industry bodies, funding agencies, and community organisations.
• Represent BAJ at local, regional, and national levels, enhancing the Academy’s reputation and influence within the wider educational and jewellery sectors. Ensure that the Academy maintains existing regional, national, and international partnerships that are currently in place with other educational organisations, local authorities, funding agencies, employers, feeder schools, universities, community organisations, as well as forging the development of new relationships with other prospective partners. 

General 

The Principal will: 

• Undertake any personal development necessary to ensure effective performance in the role. 
• Undertake any additional duties that the Board may require within the scope of the post. 
• Be subject to an annual Performance Review within a framework agreed by the Board. Targets will be set within the context of the Academy’s Strategic Plan. The postholder will also undertake appropriate reviews with other senior staff.

Safeguarding and Promoting Welfare of Children. 

All work in the Academy involves some degree of responsibility for safeguarding children, although the extent of that responsibility will vary according to the nature of the post. British Academy of Jewellery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The postholder must be aware of the Academy’s policies, which safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and adhere to their guidelines. 

Person Specification 

Qualifications 

• Teaching qualification (essential).
• First degree (essential).
• Relevant higher degree or professional qualification (essential).
• Evidence of continuing professional development (essential).

Knowledge and Experience 

• Substantial experience in senior leadership role(s) within the education sector, with a proven track record of managing change and driving success.
• Experience in leadership role(s) within creative institution. 
• Experience in the further and higher education sector, with knowledge of apprenticeships, vocational training, and higher education.
• Financial management expertise and the ability to lead an organisation through sound financial oversight.
• Experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and educational institutions.
• Knowledge of the creative sector and its educational needs.

Leadership and Management Skills 

• Highly effective communication skills that promote confidence and integrity; a highly skilled presenter able to convey complex ideas and inspire a range of internal and external audiences. 
• Experience of high-level financial management and the ability to work with financial information for decision-making purposes. 
• Inclusive leadership style, with a focus on collaboration and empowering staff to achieve organisational goals
• Experience of successfully developing, agreeing, implementing, and reviewing strategic plans 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation
• Financial acumen, with experience in managing large budgets and securing external funding
• Strong project management skills, with a track record of successfully managing large-scale initiatives
• A track record in successfully developing new opportunities to strengthen the financial position of organisations. 
• Ambassadorial skills and the effective management of organisational reputation 
• Ability and experience in successfully leading and managing a variety of teams. 
• Experience of curriculum planning and quality improvement with a sound knowledge of quality systems and experience of achieving significant improvements in provision 
• Ability and experience of developing and implementing initiatives, which have had a positive impact on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion 
  

Personal attributes/skills 

• An enthusiastic and inspirational leader with presence and gravitas. 
• A deep commitment to improvement and excellence. 
• An awareness and understanding of the importance of political perspicacity. 
• A commitment to collaboration and partnerships. 
• Visionary and inspirational leader with the ability to motivate and engage others
• Resilient and emotionally intelligent, capable of handling complex and sensitive issues
• Commitment to the values of Inspire, Nurture, and Train, and a deep passion for education
• Excellent judgement and the ability to balance risks and opportunities. 
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, negotiating and decision-making skills. 
• Personal integrity and honesty. 
• The ability to perform under pressure. 
• The ability to successfully manage a range of complex tasks. 
• Persistent and tenacious. 

Variation in the Role

The Job Description is current at the date shown and is a guide to the work the postholder will be required to undertake. In consultation with the postholder it may be amended from time to time by the Board to meet changing circumstances. 

Equality and Diversity 

The Academy is committed to equality and diversity for all members of society. The Academy will take action to discharge this responsibility but many of the actions will rely on individual staff members at the Academy embracing their responsibilities with such a commitment and ensuring a positive and collaborative approach to Equality and Diversity. 

This will require staff to support the Academy's initiatives on Equality and Diversity which will include embracing development and training designed to enhance practices and the experiences of staff, students, and visitors to the Academy with an all-inclusive approach that celebrates differences.

Commitment to Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as well as vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.