Assistant Manager: Vocational Hmp

Dovetail And Slate Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Volunteering day

Pension & Life Assurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Holiday purchase scheme

Wedding Leave & Maternity scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Additions discounts

Job summary

Dovetail and Slate Limited is seeking an Assistant Manager - Vocational to join the on-site leadership team at HMP The Mount. You will oversee the vocational curriculum across Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, and PSD, driving high-quality outcomes and compliance with awarding bodies.

You will manage and develop staff, support IQA/EQA processes, and contribute to SAR/QIP under Ofsted EIF guidelines, with occasional cover teaching.

Qualifications

• Teaching credentials: Level 5+ teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) with Level 3 Maths and English.
• IQA qualification or willingness to achieve upon appointment.
• Significant teaching leadership and staff management experience in FE/adult/prison education.
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted EIF and quality assurance mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership with day-to-day operations across the education department.
• Oversee vocational curriculum delivery and ensure alignment with employer requirements and awarding bodies.
• Lead IQA/EQA processes, observations, learning walks, and deep dives; analyse data to drive recruitment and achievement.
• Develop and coach staff through appraisals, probation reviews, and CPD plans.
• Contribute to SAR and QIP and deliver cover sessions when needed.

Skills

Leadership experience

Quality assurance

Staff development

Education

Level 5 teaching qualification

Level 3 Maths qualification

Level 3 English qualification

IQA qualification

Operations/Departmental Manager (Level 5)

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Manager - Vocational

Location: HMP The Mount (Bovingdon, Hertfordshire)

Salary: From £35,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

We have an exciting leadership opportunity for an Assistant Manager - Vocational to join the senior management team on-site at HMP The Mount. Working alongside the Education Manager, you will oversee and elevate the vocational curriculum-spanning Motor Mechanics, Painting & Decorating, Art, Music, Media, and Personal & Social Development (PSD)-fostering a high-performing teaching environment that delivers outstanding educational outcomes.

What You Will Be Doing

• Operational Leadership & Deputising: Support the Education Manager with day-to-day operations across the education department, managing learner inductions, allocations, and conduct, while stepping in to lead the department when required.

• Vocational Curriculum Management: Oversee delivery and continuous improvement across diverse trade and creative departments (e.g., Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, PSD), ensuring qualifications align with employer expectations and awarding body standards.

• Quality Assurance & Performance: Lead internal quality assurance (IQA/EQA) processes, developmental observations, learning walks, and deep dives. Use MoJ management information systems to analyse performance and drive targets for recruitment, retention, and achievement.

• Staff Development & Coaching: Manage and mentor teaching and support staff through formal appraisals, probation reviews, and tailored CPD plans, fostering a supportive, high-performing culture.

• Inspection Readiness & Delivery: Contribute directly to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in line with Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF), while delivering cover teaching sessions when necessary.

What We Are Looking For

• Teaching Credentials: Essential Level 5+ Teaching Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) alongside Level 3 qualifications in both Maths and English.

• Quality Assurance: Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification (or willingness to achieve upon appointment).

• Leadership Experience: Significant teaching experience with proven success in staff management, vocational curriculum oversight, and quality improvement within FE, adult learning, or prison education settings.

• Inspection Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and quality assurance mechanisms.

• Desirable Criteria: Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification and prior experience within secure custodial environments.

Our Benefits Include:

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

• Paid volunteering day each year

• Generous pension scheme & Life Assurance

• Cycle to Work scheme & Holiday purchase scheme

• Enhanced Wedding Leave & Enhanced Maternity Scheme

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & online wellbeing portal

• Access to hundreds of retail discounts via the Additions portal

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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Because education matters.

© Dovetail and Slate Limited.