Associate Director T-Level

Tile Hill Executive Recruitment; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an Associate Director – Contract Lead for the T Level Professional Development programme in London. This high-profile role involves managing large-scale government contracts, overseeing a talented team, and ensuring the delivery of key performance indicators. Candidates with strong leadership skills and experience in contract management are encouraged to apply. The position offers competitive remuneration and a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of managing large-scale contracts.
• Experience with senior government stakeholders is ideal.
• Ability to drive KPIs and manage performance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead performance and contract management of the TLPD programme.
• Act as senior relationship lead with the Department for Education.
• Manage a core programme management team and provide leadership.

Skills

Managing large-scale government-funded contracts

Building relationships with senior government stakeholders

Contract and performance management

Leading and motivating teams

Strategic positioning and problem-solving

Job description

Overview

Associate Director – Contract Lead (T Level Professional Development)
Location: London/Hybrid (minimum 1 day per week in the office)
Salary: Competitive
Start Date: mid November 2025
Contract: Fixed-term to September 2026

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) is the workforce development body for the Further Education and Training sector. We work in partnership with government, providers and sector leaders to deliver impactful professional development programmes that help teachers, trainers and leaders excel.

We are now seeking an Associate Director – Contract Lead, T Level Professional Development (TLPD) to lead delivery of ETF’s largest, high-profile government contract in its final year. This programme supports providers nationally to deliver T Levels – the government’s “gold standard” technical qualification.

About the role

As Associate Director, you will:

• Lead performance and contract management of the TLPD programme, ensuring KPIs and milestones are met.
• Act as senior relationship lead with the Department for Education, representing ETF at monthly performance and strategic meetings.
• Manage a core programme management team (1 direct report and 6 programme staff) and provide matrix leadership to a wider regional team of around 30.
• Steer delivery at pace, supporting ETF through the contract’s exit while positioning the organisation for a highly competitive re-tender process due in 2026.
• Contribute to bid development activity in early 2026, working closely with colleagues and external partners.

About you

We are looking for an experienced leader with a proven track record in:

• Managing large-scale, government-funded contracts or programmes (education sector knowledge welcome but not essential).
• Building strong relationships with senior government stakeholders, ideally within DfE or similar departments.
• Delivering robust contract and performance management frameworks, with the ability to drive KPIs and reporting requirements.
• Leading and motivating teams through periods of change, while working collegiately and constructively across the organisation.
• Balancing operational oversight with strategic positioning, influencing and problem-solving in a complex environment.

This is a high-profile leadership role at the heart of ETF’s work. It requires a candidate who is both solution-focused and collaborative, with the credibility to represent ETF with government and the resilience to deliver results in a competitive and visible context.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter outlining how your experience aligns with this role. We will be running a rolling process, and therefore advocate that you apply as soon as possible as the advert deadline may be bought forward.

For further information, please contact [e-mail].

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.