New Directions College is Reading Borough Council’s Adult and Community Education service dedicated to empowering individuals through lifelong learning and skill development.

Under the successful tenure of our current Principal, who is moving on to a promoted role, New Directions College has grown to be a successful, place-based College and a regional lead in skills development and is currently graded Good under Ofsted’s updated Education Inspection Framework.

This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative and values led leader with a strong track record of delivery to join our ambitious College and develop our adult skills strategy as part of the Berkshire Prosperity Board’s learning, skills and employment workstream. You will be at the heart of the county’s devolution plans for learning, skills and employment and key to delivering the Get Berkshire Working plan.

About the Role:
New Directions College provides an inclusive and supportive space where adults can build confidence, develop essential skills and progress into further learning, employment and improved wellbeing. 98% of our learners would recommend us to friends and family.

We adopt a place-based approach to our adult learning offer, drawing on local economic, social and labour market intelligence. This ensures programmes align with local priorities, employer needs and learner aspirations. The College prioritises place-based delivery, progression into work and support for adults furthest from the labour market.

The College continues to focus on stability, financial sustainability and partnership led delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-looking leader to build upon strong foundations and realise our ambitious strategic objectives.

About You:
This is a pivotal opportunity to drive innovation, quality, and impact across our adult and community education provision.

We are looking for an inspiring and visionary leader who brings:

You will be a confident communicator and a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and inclusive opportunity. If you have the strategic and operational leadership skills and are politically astute, we would love to hear from you.

As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

For more information on the role please contact Donna Pentelow, Director of Culture, Leisure and Skills - donna.pentelow@reading.gov.uk

Closing date: Thursday 18th June 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
Interview setup: In person at New Directions College, 330 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 8DH