Job title: Deputy Principal of Operations – The Sheiling Ringwood, Hampshire
Salary: £85,000 to £95,000 gross per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Main geographical location of role: Ringwood, Hampshire
Closing date: 5 October 2026
Where do applicants need to apply (preferred option): https://www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk/vacancies
Job Description
Department: Leadership Team
Location: The Sheiling Ringwood
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours & Working Patterns: 35 hours per week
Expected Salary Range: £85,000 to £95,000 gross per annum
Pension: 14% ER contribution
Annual Leave: 8 weeks per annum
Closing Date: Monday 5th of October 2026 – 12 noon
Interview Date: Monday 12th and / or Tuesday 13th of October 2026
Start Date: As soon as possible, subject to notice periods
Are you an exceptional senior leader looking to make a difference to the lives of children and young people with severe, complex, and moderate learning difficulties and disabilities? Would you like to help shape the future of a values-led organisation where operational excellence directly supports life-changing outcomes? Then you could be exactly the person we are looking for.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Deputy Principal of Operations to provide strategic leadership across Finance, Facilities, HR, IT, compliance and governance. As one of two newly created Deputy Principal roles, working closely with the Principal and Deputy Principal of Integrated Learning, you will play a key role in ensuring the organisation remains sustainable, compliant, innovative, and fully equipped to meet current and future challenges.
You will be an accomplished leader with significant experience in a complex organisation, bringing expertise in operational management, financial oversight, people leadership, risk management and organisational development. You will also have the ability to build strong relationships with staff, families, Trustees, regulators and external stakeholders.
At the Sheiling Ringwood we provide holistic, innovative and impactful care and education to match the interests, skills and aspirations of our students and meet their individual needs. Our operational teams play a vital role in creating the environment, infrastructure and support systems that enable children and young people to thrive.
We have a large, beautiful site with lots of open, green spaces and woodland that provides a peaceful, therapeutic setting and a dynamic teaching environment. Within the 45 acres are classrooms, student residential accommodation (large, spacious houses), a purpose-built therapy building, a multipurpose hall (with a large stage for performances), a gymnasium, a heated indoor swimming pool, a variety of indoor and outdoor workshops and a large kitchen garden which provide ample opportunity for creative, experiential learning.
This is an outstanding opportunity to help shape the future of a unique specialist provision and ensure operational excellence continues to support exceptional outcomes for children and young people.
Please refer to the recruitment pack on our website for further information – this includes the full job description and person specification.
If you would like to arrange an informal conversation about this role, and / or come and see our beautiful site, please contact Ben Allen, HR and Training Manager, in the first instance – 01425 477488 / ben.allen@thesheilingringwood.co.uk