Assistant Principal - IT, MIS and Funding

Company: Wigan & Leigh College

Location: Wigan

Posted: May 8th, 2026

Assistant Principal – IT, MIS and Funding

Application Deadline: 28 April 2026

Department: Principal & Staff

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Wigan & Leigh College

Compensation: £72,336 - £76,735 / year

You’ll lead the digital, data and funding operations that keep our college running smoothly every single day. This role brings together IT, MIS, Data, Funding and Exams, so you can shape how information flows, how decisions are informed and how technology supports our students and staff. It’s a chance to modernise systems, strengthen digital infrastructure and make sure we’re using data brilliantly and responsibly. Working closely with the Vice Principal, you’ll drive the strategies that make us compliant, efficient and future‑ready. Whether you’re enabling accurate funding returns, ensuring our cyber security is robust or improving the tools our staff rely on, your work will directly strengthen the student experience. If you love solving complex operational challenges and leading talented technical teams, this role puts you right where the impact is.

What you’ll do

Lead strategic planning and operational delivery across IT, MIS, Data, Funding and Exams.
Drive the digitalisation agenda introducing, integrating and optimising new technologies.
Provide expert leadership on all funding methodology, forecasting, audits and statutory returns.
Oversee the college’s data ecosystem, ensuring data integrity, quality and effective reporting.
Lead cyber security strategy and ensure systems and users are protected.
Ensure curriculum planning, timetabling and reporting support accurate student numbers and resourcing.
Oversee examinations processes, ensuring compliance and high‑quality service.
Manage budgets, develop teams and build strong relationships across the college and with external partners.

What you’ll bring

Degree‑level qualification.
Significant experience in Further Education funding, including forecasting, profiling, monitoring, reporting and audit compliance.
Strong experience in the Microsoft ecosystem; Hyper‑V, Azure Private Cloud and related technologies.
Senior leadership experience in MIS, ideally within FE or education.
Experience managing multiple funding streams (16‑18, Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, HE, Devolved Authority).
Strong understanding of JCQ examination requirements.
Experience managing budgets and delivering efficient operational services.
Desirable: Leadership/management qualification (L5+).

What you’re like

A confident leader with the ability to inspire technical and data‑focused teams.
Adaptable and comfortable working across sites and changing priorities.
Collaborative and relationship‑focused, keen to deliver great service for staff and students.
Reflective, committed to professional development and sharing best practice.
Analytical, with a strong eye for accuracy and detail.

Essentials

You’ll need an enhanced DBS check which we’ll complete for you if you’re successful.
You’re committed to safeguarding and inclusion.
You can travel across our sites.
You’re flexible and happy to work beyond standard hours when needed to support the college.

Why work with us?

Time to recharge

Generous annual leave entitlement, including bank holidays (depending on your role)
Family‑friendly leave policies

Wellbeing as well as work

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
Medicash healthcare plan
Occupational health support
Confidential counselling
Specsavers eye test vouchers
A culture where people look out for each other

Financial peace of mind

Teachers’ Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, buy tech)
Railcard & Tusker Green car scheme
Local and national discount schemes

Clear progression routes

Opportunities to step up, specialise, or move across departments
Leadership pathways
Support to gain teaching qualifications