Head of Quality
Are you a quality leader who believes growth should never come at the expense of standards?
Do you want to join an organisation at a defining moment — where you can build the quality function properly, influence strategic direction, and leave a visible legacy?
An ambitious, independent training provider in the North West is entering an exciting new chapter. Following recent investment and restructuring, the organisation is repositioning itself for sustainable, quality-led growth across apprenticeships, adult skills and future-focused AI and tech programmes.
They are now seeking an experienced Head of Quality to join the Senior Leadership Team and lead the development of a central, inspection-ready quality function that underpins everything they do.
Are you a quality leader who believes growth should never come at the expense of standards?
Main Purpose
This is not a maintenance role.
It is a build-and-elevate opportunity.
The business has intentionally chosen a quality-first, deliberately paced growth strategy. Cohorts will remain manageable. Employer partnerships will be meaningful. Apprenticeships will be designed to deliver tangible business value early in the learner journey.
But growth — especially in apprenticeships — brings regulatory scrutiny and operational complexity. The leadership team understands that quality must be strengthened before scale accelerates.
They want someone who shares that mindset.
You’ll be trusted to:
- Shape and implement the organisation’s quality vision
- Bring consistency across three divisions (Adult Skills, Justice, and Future Skills/AI & Tech)
- Embed robust processes without creating bureaucracy
- Build a team as the organisation grows
- Act as Lead Ofsted Nominee
You won’t be firefighting legacy problems. You’ll be designing a strong, sustainable framework for the future.
Responsibilities
Currently around 30 staff, the provider is structured into Adult Skills provision, Justice education programmes and a new, high-growth Future Skills division (including AI and tech apprenticeships)
Learner numbers are set to grow steadily over the coming years, with apprenticeship cohorts launching later this year.
The leadership team is entrepreneurial, values-driven and deeply committed to positive learner impact, employer return on investment, strong safeguarding culture, a supportive internal environment and avoiding the “volume at all costs” mentality.
This is a small organisation with serious ambition — and you will be central to its success.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Own and deliver the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
- Produce and maintain an evidence-led Self-Assessment Report (SAR)
- Standardise quality frameworks, policies and procedures
- Embed a culture of continuous improvement
- Lead Ofsted Nominee
- Ensure apprenticeship and adult skills provision meets regulatory requirements
- Oversee internal and external quality assurance processes
- Manage assessment verification and occupational competence standards
- Implement risk management processes and escalate appropriately
- Analyse achievement, retention, progression and satisfaction data
- Work closely with MIS to ensure accurate reporting
- Identify trends and implement targeted improvement strategies
- Ensure inspection readiness at all times
- Build and lead a central quality team as the organisation scales
- Design and deliver CPD for coaches, assessors and trainers
- Contribute to recruitment standards for delivery staff
- Act as a trusted partner to divisional leads
This is a role where you will be visible, influential and trusted.
Who This Would Suit
You’ll likely bring:
- Senior quality leadership experience within UK apprenticeships or adult skills
- Direct experience producing SAR and QIP documentation
- Experience preparing for and managing Ofsted inspections
- A track record of improving achievement and retention rates
- Strong understanding of apprenticeship compliance and funding requirements
- Confidence working within a smaller, agile provider environment
You’ll also be:
- Pragmatic and solutions-focused
- Comfortable building processes from scratch
- Highly organised and detail-oriented
- Influential without being heavy-handed
- Motivated by purpose and long-term impact
If you’ve ever thought, “If I could build this properly from the ground up, I’d do it differently” — this may be your chance.
Does this post interest you? Apply today
Remote
North West
Permanent Full Time
£45,000 to £55,000 (dependent on experience)
Annually
