Centre Manager

S Knights Recruitment; Broadland; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk-based Centre Manager – Study Programme & SEND role managing a dedicated centre, ensuring high-quality teaching, learner support and progression opportunities.

You will lead a diverse team, drive curriculum quality and oversee contract and funding performance in line with Ofsted and SEND requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a Study Programme centre or SEND provision.
• Proven ability to manage and develop teams in education/training.
• Strong knowledge of Ofsted requirements, funding and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day management of the Study Programme centre, including SEND provision, ensuring high standards in teaching, learning and learner support.
• Manage and develop staff, including performance management, CPD and recruitment.
• Collaborate with Head of Education on contract and funding performance and ESFA requirements.
• Oversee curriculum management to meet learner needs and awarding body expectations.
• Drive quality assurance activities, including observations, SAR and QIP.
• Monitor learner and centre performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Ensure safe, compliant centre operations with safeguarding and H&S practices.
• Provide CIAG/IAG to support progression into further education and employment.
• Represent the centre in meetings and with partners and stakeholders.
• Foster an open, high-performing centre culture with staff development.

Skills

Centre Management

Education Management

SEND provision

Team leadership

Curriculum development

Ofsted knowledge

Data-driven decision-making

Education

Teaching/educational management qualification or equivalent

Job description

Centre Manager - Study Programme & SEND

Location: Suffolk

Salary: £37,000 - £38,000

Contract: Full-time

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Centre Manager, Education Manager or Study Programme Manager with a strong background in SEND, Further Education or supported learning?

This is an opportunity to take operational and educational leadership of a Study Programme centre, ensuring learners receive high-quality teaching, learning, assessment, support and progression opportunities.

You’ll lead a diverse team, oversee curriculum delivery and quality, support contract performance and ensure the centre operates in line with Ofsted, funding, safeguarding and SEND requirements.

About the Organisation

Our client delivers education and training programmes designed to support learners into further education, employment and positive future destinations.

The organisation places a strong emphasis on inclusive education, learner success, quality improvement and developing confident, capable teams.

This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in creating a positive centre culture where staff are supported to develop and learners receive the guidance, education and support they need to progress.

The Role

• Lead the effective day-to-day management of the Study Programme centre, including SEND provision, ensuring high standards across teaching, learning, assessment and learner support.
• Lead, manage and develop Study Programme staff, including performance management, CPD, recruitment, absence management and employee relations.
• Work with the Head of Education on contract and funding performance, including ESFA requirements, learner KPIs and evidence for Element 3 SEND funding.
• Take responsibility for curriculum management, ensuring an inclusive, high-quality Study Programme meets learner needs and relevant Ofsted and awarding body expectations.
• Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement, including observations, feedback, action planning, SAR and QIP activity.
• Monitor learner and centre performance data, using outcomes across attendance, retention, progress, achievement, work experience and destinations to identify improvement opportunities.
• Oversee centre operations, ensuring effective administration alongside strong Health & Safety, safeguarding, Prevent and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices.
• Ensure learners receive effective CIAG and IAG, supporting progression into further education, employment and positive destinations.
• Build effective relationships with partners, clients and stakeholders, representing the centre at meetings, networking events and Senior Management Team discussions.
• Create an open, empowered and high-performing centre culture where staff share knowledge, develop professionally and remain focused on learner success.

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience in Centre Management, Education Management, Study Programme Management or SEND provision.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams within an education, training, FE or supported learning environment.
• Strong knowledge of SEND legislation, inclusive education and supporting diverse learner needs.
• Relevant teaching, educational management qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum Level 2 Functional Skills or equivalent in English and maths.
• Strong understanding of Ofsted, quality assurance, curriculum development and continuous improvement.
• Experience using learner and performance data to monitor outcomes and inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication, organisation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with partners, clients and stakeholders.
• Enhanced DBS clearance is required.

Why Apply?

• Lead a Study Programme centre with a strong focus on SEND and inclusive education.
• Take ownership across people management, curriculum, quality, learner outcomes and centre operations.
• Opportunity to contribute directly to quality improvement, curriculum development and learner progression.
• Work within an environment that promotes professional development, learning and knowledge sharing.
• Make a meaningful impact on learners' education, development and future destinations.