Growing Independent Training Provider  – Early-Stage Growth Opportunity

We are a growing independent training provider at the early stages of our development, with ambitious plans to build a high-quality, compliant and sector-leading apprenticeship offer. This is a rare opportunity to join at a formative stage and play a pivotal role in shaping our provision, culture and reputation.

As Head of Apprenticeships, you will hold full strategic and operational responsibility for our apprenticeship programmes. You will lead the end-to-end learner journey, ensuring delivery is high quality, financially sustainable, compliant with funding rules and aligned to employer workforce needs. This is a senior leadership role requiring confidence, credibility and a deep understanding of regulated apprenticeship provision.

You will take ownership of the full apprenticeship lifecycle, from employer engagement and contracting through initial assessment, enrolment, delivery, progress reviews, functional skills oversight, gateway preparation and end-point assessment readiness. You will ensure that delivery models are efficient and scalable, maximising tutor capacity while maintaining strong learner outcomes and regulatory compliance. Performance oversight will include achievement, retention, timely completion, attendance, learner satisfaction and employer engagement.

A key element of the role is building and leading a high-performing team of Tutors, Skills Coaches and support staff. You will embed clear accountability, structured performance management, high-quality observation of teaching and learning, and meaningful continuous professional development. Workforce planning, resource allocation and capability development will sit firmly within your remit as the provision grows.

As the senior on-site leader, you will act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust safeguarding and Prevent arrangements, maintaining strong visibility with apprentices and championing equality, diversity and inclusion. You will ensure learner welfare is prioritised and that the training environment is safe, supportive and professionally managed.

The role also carries full responsibility for compliance, governance and funding assurance. You will ensure accurate ILR returns, off-the-job training compliance, funding rule adherence and audit readiness. You will lead engagement with regulators, awarding organisations and end-point assessment bodies, ensuring internal quality assurance processes are rigorous and external quality requirements are consistently met.

You will act as Ofsted Nominee and lead inspection readiness, driving the Self-Assessment Report and Quality Improvement Plan while embedding the Education Inspection Framework across the provision. Quality will not be a reactive process but an embedded standard across teaching, assessment, leadership and learner experience.

Alongside operational excellence, you will shape curriculum design and enhancement, working closely with employers to co-create programmes that reflect sector priorities, apprenticeship standards and future workforce needs. You will ensure that curriculum intent is clear, delivery is coherent and learners are supported to achieve ambitious and meaningful outcomes.

We are seeking a senior leader with significant operational experience within an apprenticeship provider, further education organisation or regulated training environment. You will have a proven track record of delivering strong achievement, retention and compliance outcomes, alongside experience leading safeguarding systems and engaging confidently with regulators and awarding bodies. A deep understanding of funding rules, apprenticeship standards, end-point assessment and quality assurance processes is essential.

You will be a decisive and credible leader, able to analyse data, manage risk, influence stakeholders and build a culture of accountability and excellence. Experience supporting Ofsted inspections, prior DSL responsibility and relevant teaching or assessor qualifications would be advantageous.

This is an opportunity to shape and lead within a growing organisation where your expertise will directly influence standards, reputation and impact. You will have real autonomy, senior-level visibility and the platform to build a provision recognised for quality and integrity.