Vice-Principal

About Strathclyde

Strathclyde was established as the UK’s first technological university in 1964, and our origins reach back to 1796 and the founding of Anderson’s Institution during the Scottish Enlightenment. For more than 230 years, we have remained true to our founding ethos as a place of useful learning.

Today, we are Scotland’s third largest university, with around 30,000 students and an annual research income of over £125 million. As a values-led institution, we have built on our authentic tradition and deep sense of purpose to become a global leader in education, research and innovation.

We are recognised internationally for excellence in teaching, for our entrepreneurial culture and for research that delivers real-world impact. Our strong partnerships with industry, government and communities are a defining feature of Strathclyde, ensuring that new knowledge is translated into practical benefits for society.

Our vision is ambitious: to shape tomorrow’s world, address the grand challenges of our time, and develop the next generation of global leaders and innovators. The Vice-Principal will play a central role in guiding us towards this future and sustaining our culture of ambition, excellence and inclusivity.

Role Description

The Vice-Principal is the University's senior academic leader and deputy to the Principal. As a member of the Executive Team and a Senior Officer of the University, the post holder provides strategic leadership for the University's academic mission, ensuring the successful delivery of Strathclyde 2030 through outstanding education, academic quality, global engagement, institutional governance and transformational innovation in learning and teaching.

The Vice-Principal will lead the development of future-focused academic and operating models that support a leading international technological university, ensuring that teaching, student experience, international education, transnational education (TNE), digital innovation and academic governance are aligned to the University's long-term strategic ambitions. They also have senior responsibility for university-wide academic staff and departmental performance and contribution.

How to apply
 
Perrett Laver, the appointed adviser of the University of Strathclyde, is conducting an executive search exercise alongside the public advertisement for this role. Perrett Laver will support the Appointment Committee in the discharge of its duties.
 
Applications should consist of a CV and supporting statement which includes a brief overview of your experience with relevance to the personal specification as well as an indication of the reasons for your interest in this opportunity.
 
Completed applications should be uploaded at https://PLusPortal.PerrettLaver.com, quoting reference number 8608.
 
For a confidential informal conversation about the role, please contact Thomas.Cameron@perrettlaver.com.
 
The deadline for the receipt of applications is 11:59 pm BST on Monday 5th October 2026.

Perrett Laver will conduct preliminary interviews with long-listed candidates in early October 2026, following which the Committee will meet to decide upon a shortlist of candidates. These individuals will be invited to first-stage interviews and informal interactions in early November 2026. Subsequently, final selection will take place in late November 2026.

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University of Strathclyde Privacy Notices can be found here.

The University of Strathclyde is a socially progressive institution that strives to ensure equality of opportunity and celebrates the diversity of its student and staff community. Strathclyde is people-oriented and collaborative, offering a supportive and flexible working culture with a deep commitment to our equality, diversity and inclusion charters, initiatives, groups and networks.

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicities, women, LGBT+, disabled candidates and candidates from lower socio-economic groups and care-experienced backgrounds.