Current opportunities

Interim Board Secretary

Edinburgh College
Location: Edinburgh / Hybrid working
Salary: Circa £45,000 pro-rata or day rate equivalent (3-month contract)
Start date: Immediate

At Aspen People, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Edinburgh College to recruit an Interim Board Secretary for a 3-month contract. This is an exciting opportunity as Scotland’s largest College embarks on the delivery phase of an ambitious transformation programme. This is an opportunity to join one of Scotland’s leading colleges and make a meaningful contribution to its governance at a critical time.

Edinburgh College plays a vital role in delivering high-quality education and training to students, businesses and partners across the region and beyond. The Interim Board Secretary will provide impartial governance expertise, directly supporting the Chair and the Board to ensure compliance with legislation, sector codes on institutional governance, and best practice. This interim role is key to enabling the Board to carry out its responsibilities effectively, ensuring transparency, accountability, and strong decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide expertise and support to the Board and individual Board members and supporting good governance.
• Advise the Board, Principal and Executive Team on governance, the role of the Board and Board matters.
• Directly support the Chair and the Board in ensuring that the Board receives appropriate, timely and high-quality information in a form that allows it to monitor and scrutinise the College’s strategic activities and to challenge performance when required.
• Support the Chair, the Board and the Executive Team in ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and governance requirements.
• Play a key role in both relationship management and communications with Board Members, the Executive Team, the Senior Management Team and relevant external stakeholders.
• Provide sound, well-researched, independent and impartial advice and guidance.
• Support Board Members in evaluating their effectiveness.

The Board Secretary reports directly to the Chair of the Board with ‘dotted’ line reporting to the Principal & Chief Executive. (line managed by the Chief Operating Officer).

We are looking for:

• Educated to a minimum HND level or with equivalent relevant experience in a similar role.
• Experience in managing governance processes and supporting Boards and its committees,
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Proven ability to build trust and positive relationships with Board members, Executive Team and stakeholders.
• High levels of professionalism, discretion, and integrity.

If you are available immediately and keen to support Edinburgh College through this interim period, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Cat Goodwin, Lauryn Pringle or Donogh O’Brien on 0141 212 7555.

To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter (as one document) via the apply button. If you are unable to combine your documents, please email your covering letter to applications@aspenpeople.co.uk.

Offers of appointment are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.