Principal
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- Employer:
- University of Aberdeen
- Location:
- Aberdeen, Scotland
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Closing date:
- Midday, Monday 9th June 2025
- Job Ref:
- GSe120633
Description
An opportunity to lead a world-class university through a defining period of transformation.
Over 530 years of academic excellence have led to this moment. The University of Aberdeen - ranked among the world’s top 250 universities - has a proud heritage dating back to 1495. Home to over 14,000 students from more than 130 countries, it blends historic tradition with modern ambition. Based in the vibrant city of Aberdeen, it is globally connected and widely respected for its research, education, and student experience.
We are now seeking an exceptional leader to become our next Principal - an opportunity to shape the University’s future and drive strategic, academic, and operational excellence.
As Principal, you will be accountable to the University Court and hold overarching responsibility for the leadership, direction, and overall performance of the institution. Your leadership will be instrumental in fostering a positive and inclusive culture, ensuring financial sustainability, and enhancing the University’s reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.
This is a pivotal leadership role at a critical time in higher education. The successful candidate will guide the institution through a changing landscape, strengthening its academic mission and engaging stakeholders with vision and confidence.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic leadership is central to this role, requiring the ability to advance an inclusive organisation committed to academic excellence. You will oversee the evolution of the Aberdeen 2040 strategy, ensuring that long-term ambitions align with immediate priorities. The Principal will champion academic excellence across all disciplines, reinforcing the University’s reputation as a leader in education, research, and innovation.
Financial sustainability will be a core focus, requiring decisive leadership on income diversification and operational efficiency. A commitment to cultural transformation is essential, fostering an inclusive and respectful organisational environment that strengthens community values. The role also demands external advocacy, enhancing the University’s profile, influence, and competitiveness on national and international stages.
Person Specification
We seek a dynamic individual with a strong track record of strategic leadership in a large, complex organisation. The successful candidate must demonstrate expertise in financial stewardship, governance, and accountability, alongside a proven ability to deliver transformational change.
A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is essential, as well as outstanding communication and relationship-building skills that engage diverse communities in strategic decision-making. Experience in external engagement and advocacy at senior levels - whether with government bodies, funding agencies, or industry partners - is also highly desirable.
Why Join Us?
The University of Aberdeen is one of the UK’s most historic and ambitious institutions, committed to excellence in education, research, and civic impact. As Principal, you will lead a university with global reach and deep local roots - guiding its next chapter with purpose and vision. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a world-class institution and make a lasting difference on the national and international stage.
To find out more, we encourage you to speak with our recruitment partners at GatenbySanderson. Please contact Ross Highfield at aberdeenprincipal@gatenbysanderson.com or on 07891 138 886 for a confidential conversation.
To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.
How to Apply
To apply for the role of Principal of the University of Aberdeen, you are required to submit the following three elements:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please provide a CV of no more than four pages, outlining your career history, achievements, and qualifications.
2. Application Statement
Please submit a written statement of no more than three pages, addressing the following four questions:
- Why do you want to be the next Principal of the University of Aberdeen?
- If you have experience of operating within the Scottish higher education context, please outline how this has shaped your understanding of the national context and sector landscape.
- If you do not have experience of operating within the Scottish higher education context - or of working in the higher education sector more broadly - how would you develop your understanding of the relevant regulatory, financial, and policy environment?
- Describe a specific initiative you led to improve financial sustainability through income diversification or operational efficiency. What were the measurable outcomes of this initiative, in terms of financial impact or efficiency gains?
- Outline a major transformational change initiative you have successfully led, or been involved in leading in a large, complex, values-led organisation. Describe the key objectives, the process you followed, the challenges encountered, and the measurable results or impact achieved on people, structures, or systems.
3. Video Submission
Please record and upload a video of no more than three minutes, responding to the following question:
Looking ahead, how would you like the University of Aberdeen to be described in five years’ time under your leadership, and what actions would you prioritise to make that vision a reality?
Please ONLY use the following link to record and submit your video: https://myint.video/aoyZQvIV5i
If you require any technical support, please contact clair.clarke@gatenbysanderson.com
All three elements - CV, written statement, and video - are required for your application to be considered.
If you require any adjustments or support to enable you to participate in the application process, please let us know and we will be happy to make appropriate arrangements.
Contact
The following consultants are managing this role and will be happy to answer any questions that are not covered in the person specification on the next webpage.
- Contact:
- Ross Highfield
- Telephone:
- 07891 138 886