Bolton College – Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Salary

Competitive

Closing date

13/05/2025 at 9.00am

Interview date

Thursday 22 May 2025
FE Associates

Interested in this role?

Click below

Introduction

Bolton College, a key vocational education provider within the Bolton borough and a member of the University of Greater Manchester Group, is committed to offering a comprehensive ‘cradle to PhD’ educational pathway. Situated in the fourth largest district of Greater Manchester, Bolton boasts a proud industrial past and is now a vibrant, diverse community, balancing urban facilities with beautiful countryside.

We are seeking an experienced Chief Finance and Operations Officer to join our executive leadership team. The successful candidate will maintain the financial stability of the college, lead the development of operational strategies and promote a positive culture aligned with the college’s values. With extensive senior leadership in finance and operations you will drive the operational effectiveness to ensure the college’s resources support the delivery of our academic and strategic priorities.

About

Dear colleague,

Chief Finance and Operations Officer

Thank you for your interest in the exciting role of Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Bolton College. Bolton College is a dynamic and forward-thinking further education institution located in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and is part of the University of Greater Manchester Group. We offer a wide range of courses, including vocational training, apprenticeships, adult learning, and higher education programmes. As a key provider of education and skills development in diverse fields such as business, engineering, health and social care, computing and creative industries, we pride ourselves on our modern facilities and strong industry links. Our mission is to equip students with the practical knowledge and hands-on experience they need to succeed in their careers or continue their educational journey.

Bolton College is also deeply committed to inclusivity, innovation and student success. With a robust track record of preparing students for the demands of the workplace, we continue to evolve, ensuring we remain at the forefront of education and skills development in the region. In partnership with the University of Greater Manchester, we offer students a seamless progression route from further to higher education. This close collaboration ensures that students benefit from joint courses and pathways, providing a clear and supportive transition into undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Together, we are working to enhance the learning opportunities and career prospects of our students, aligning education with real-world needs and future aspirations.

As we continue to move forward on our journey of growth, change, and improvement, we are now looking for a Chief Finance and Operations Officer to join our executive team at an exciting and transformative time.

Bolton College is currently consulting on a new strategic plan Click Here , which will shape the future of the institution and ensure our continued success and sustainability. We are also making excellent progress against our Ofsted Post Inspection Action Plan, and with a new Principal at the helm, the college’s executive team has undergone a restructuring to further strengthen our approach to delivering excellence.

The role of Chief Finance and Operations Officer will be pivotal in driving forward this exciting vision. The person in this role will bring their financial and operational expertise to the heart of the college’s strategy, ensuring that we not only achieve our current goals but also plan for sustainable, long-term success.

We are seeking an individual who is highly visible, approachable, and committed to engaging with both staff and learners. The successful candidate will be someone who thrives in an environment of collaboration, who values inclusivity, and who understands the importance of supporting the college’s mission to deliver outstanding education and services to our diverse community.

We are proud of our open, friendly, and welcoming culture at Bolton College. Our staff demonstrate a deep commitment to the success and well-being of our learners, and we expect our new Chief Finance and Operations Officer to be an active and involved member of our team.

We have appointed FE Associates to support us with this important appointment. Before submitting an application, we encourage interested parties to arrange an initial discussion with our recruitment partner by emailing Suzanne.Thurlow@fea.co.uk. This will allow you to gain further insight into the role and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead, prior to the closing date.

We look forward to receiving your application and to the possibility of welcoming you to our team as we continue on this exciting journey.

With best wishes,

Liam Sloan
Principal/CEO

How to apply

If you have the very special qualities and the passion to make a real a difference to the future of our students and business, then we would like to hear from you.

Please complete the registration form below to access the candidate information pack, application form and the equality and diversity form.

NB: Please ensure you complete all fields and click on both the Terms and Conditions check box as well as the Consent check box to enable access to the documents.

We have appointed FE Associates to help us find the right person. Prior to submitting an application, interested parties should arrange an initial conversation with our FE Associates lead consultant to discuss the role before the closing date.

Thank you for registering your interest. You can now download the information relating to this vacancy.

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Step 1: Complete the form below.

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Candidate Information.

Step 2: Submitting your application.

Prior to submitting an application, interested parties should arrange an initial conversation with our FE Associates lead consultant, by emailing Suzanne.Thurlow@fea.co.uk, to discuss the role before the closing date.

Once you have obtained the full information and had an informal discussion with the lead consultant, you must email your application to recruitment@fea.co.uk by the closing date deadline. Applications received after this time will not be considered.

Please read the ‘Submitting Your Application’ Section in the Candidate Information Pack for full instructions on how to submit your application.

Your application must include the following 2 documents:

  1. A fully completed Application Form (located above). Please do not include your CV as part of, or substitute for, the application form.
  2. The Equality and Diversity Form (located above).

PLEASE NOTE THESE FORMS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH IOS/MAC (PAGES) 

Key Dates for Submitting Your Application:

  • Closing date: 9am on Thursday 13 May 2025
  • Interview date:  Thursday 22 May 2025