Chief Officer; Education - Secondary

About the Company

As one of the largest employers in the Highlands, The Highland Council offers a wide variety of rewarding career opportunities that make a real difference, supporting vital public services and helping shape communities across one of Scotland’s most stunning and diverse areas.

The Highland Council understands that diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, and being fair and inclusive. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, representative of the communities we serve and particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under‑represented in our workforce.

The Chief Officer Secondary Education is an exciting role for an experienced and dedicated strategic education leader to shape the future of education in the Highlands. It will suit someone who already has experience of delivering improvement at a system level within education, and who understands how effective strategic leadership can bring about change at a local level. Raising attainment and achievement is a priority and your team will work closely with school leaders to promote best practice and share professional expertise to design and implement effective education improvement strategies.

As part of the Council’s Corporate Management Team, you will also make a valuable contribution to the organisation’s corporate leadership, playing your part in affecting the social, economic and environmental factors that shape quality of life in the Highlands. You will lead on the delivery of the Council’s commitment to Workforce North, a strategic partnership initiative designed to connect people, employers, and training providers to emerging jobs in renewables, construction, and infrastructure across the Highlands.

The Council has an ambitious transformation programme which includes a £2.1bn council‑wide investment programme that includes a major commitment to the school estate.

If you are enthusiastic and highly motivated, committed to cementing an environment of continuous improvement, then this is the perfect role for you.

Connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, across a vast and beautiful area in the north of Scotland brings with it a sense of community. Our people and our places are special and unique; that is why the Highland region of Scotland is one of the top ten destinations in the world. It really is a very special place to work, to live and to grow.

If you share our vision and want to help us to make public services in the Highlands the very best they can be, then we would very much welcome your application for this exciting post.

Educated to degree level with evidence of continuous professional development and preferably a further relevant professional qualification. Registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) is required for this post.

£113,656 per annum

Amy Billington at Solace in Business on

15th March 2026.