Curriculum Leader - Engineering HESTA (Humber Skills Training Academy)

Doncaster College; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Generous annual leave

Teachers' Pension Scheme

Professional development opportunities

Leadership opportunity to shape HESTA

Job summary

DN Colleges Group seeks a visionary Curriculum Leader to head HESTA, the Humber Energy Skills Training Academy, shaping engineering provision, building employer partnerships and driving outcomes for learners and regional employers.

You will lead teaching and curriculum teams, oversee quality and performance, and ensure programmes meet Ofsted, funding and awarding body requirements while guiding financial sustainability and growth in green energy sectors.

Qualifications

• Level 3 engineering qualification and GCSE English/Maths completed.
• Experience leading apprenticeship provision and working with employers in engineering/manufacturing sectors.
• Knowledge of Ofsted requirements and apprenticeship funding regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for engineering provision at HESTA.
• Drive improvement in achievement, retention, attendance and progression.
• Lead curriculum planning and ensure programmes are financially sustainable.
• Develop strong relationships with regional and national employers.
• Lead quality improvement activities and self‑assessment processes.

Skills

Apprenticeship leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Curriculum leadership

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Data-driven decisions

Education

Level 3 engineering qualification

GCSE English and Maths Grade 4/C or above

Degree in Engineering

Teaching qualification Level 5

Job description

Drive apprenticeships, employer partnerships and engineering excellence at HESTA.

Are you an ambitious and inspirational leader who is passionate about transforming lives through education, apprenticeships and skills development?

Do you have the vision to develop industry‑leading engineering provision, build exceptional employer partnerships and drive outstanding student and apprentice outcomes?

If so, we have a unique opportunity for you to lead the Humber Energy Skills Training Academy (HESTA), a flagship engineering and energy skills centre at the heart of one of the UK's most exciting industrial growth regions. As Curriculum Leader for HESTA, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future workforce for some of the region's most significant employers, including those operating within engineering, manufacturing, renewable energy and emerging green technologies.

The Opportunity

This is much more than a curriculum leadership role.

Responsibilities

It is an opportunity to lead provision that directly supports economic growth, social mobility and the development of future engineering talent. Working closely with major employers, industry partners and curriculum teams, you will be responsible for delivering exceptional experiences and outcomes across:

• Apprenticeships
• Adult Skills Programmes
• 16-19 Study Programmes
• Employer-responsive training provision

You will be the senior operational lead for HESTA, ensuring that provision is innovative, responsive and aligned to regional and national skills priorities while maintaining an unwavering focus on quality, performance and employer satisfaction.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for engineering provision at HESTA.
• Drive improvement in achievement, retention, attendance, progression, EPA outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Lead and inspire teaching, assessment and curriculum teams to deliver outstanding teaching, learning and assessment.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key regional and national employers.
• Develop innovative programmes that meet current and future workforce needs.
• Lead quality improvement activity, self‑assessment and performance management processes.
• Identify new opportunities for curriculum growth and commercial development.
• Ensure programmes meet Ofsted, funding and awarding organisation requirements.
• Develop progression pathways that support learners into higher‑level technical education, degree apprenticeships and skilled employment.
• Lead curriculum planning to ensure programmes remain financially sustainable and responsive to employer demand.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources effectively.
• Prepare the curriculum area for inspection, audit and external review.
• Manage, motivate and develop a highly skilled team of teaching and curriculum professionals.

Who We Are Looking For

• Has a successful track record of leading apprenticeship provision.
• Understands how to improve achievement and timely achievement through strong curriculum leadership.
• Is passionate about supporting learners and apprentices to achieve exceptional outcomes.
• Can build credibility and influence with employers and stakeholders.
• Has experience of managing, motivating and developing high‑performing teams.
• Understands quality improvement and uses data intelligently to drive change.
• Is innovative, commercially aware and able to spot opportunities for growth.
• Shares our ambition to develop the future workforce for engineering and green energy industries.

Knowledge or experience of green skills, renewable energy technologies and workforce development within the energy sector would be particularly attractive.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Level 3 qualification in an engineering‑related subject or equivalent.
• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Successful leadership of apprenticeship provision.
• Experience improving achievement and timely achievement.
• Experience managing staff performance.
• Experience working with employers in engineering or manufacturing sectors.
• Experience leading quality improvement activities.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding regulations.
• Knowledge of Ofsted requirements.
• Experience of curriculum innovation and development.

Desirable

• Degree in Engineering.
• Level 5 Teaching Qualification or willingness to work towards one.
• Experience of developing, leading and managing curricula in green skills.
• Understanding of regional skills priorities in Hull and East Yorkshire.
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies and workforce development within the energy sector.

Why Join Us?

At DN Colleges Group, our values of Ambition, Support, Partnership, Innovation, Responsibility and Equality (ASPIRE) underpin everything we do. We are committed to creating an environment where colleagues can thrive and make a meaningful impact on learners, employers and communities.

In Return, We Offer

• Competitive salary of £44,050 – £48,126 per annum
• Generous annual leave entitlement (35 Bookable annual leave days + bank holidays + 2 weeks off at Christmas)
• Access to the Teachers' Pension Scheme
• Ongoing professional development opportunitiesThe opportunity to lead and shape a high‑profile engineering and energy skills academy
• The chance to work with influential employers and industry partners at the forefront of regional economic growth
• A supportive and collaborative working environment focused on excellence and innovation.

Be Part of Something Bigger

This is an exciting time to join us. The Humber region is at the forefront of the UK's transition to a greener economy, creating unprecedented demand for highly skilled engineers and technicians.

If you are a passionate leader who thrives on building partnerships, driving quality and improving outcomes, while helping shape the workforce of the future, we would love to hear from you.

Additional Information

• Safer Recruitment: As part of the recruitment process and in line with keeping children safe in education, we will conduct social media checks on shortlisted candidates. Additionally, before commencing employment, all employees undergo safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS.
• Right to Work: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

About Us

At DN Colleges Group, we are working towards a common goal: to transform our communities through learning. This vision reflects our belief in our students and in our ability to transform their lives so positively. Our students are at the heart of everything we do.

Our educational hub spans Scunthorpe to Doncaster and beyond. We combine distinct, high quality teaching and learning with local, regional and global reach. We connect our students and staff with partners and employers across the east/west corridor from Sheffield City Region to the Humber and Lincolnshire, across the UK and internationally

Our Values

Ambition

To achieve the highest standards.

Support

A caring, safe and inclusive environment.

Partnership

Collaborative working to achieve shared goals.

Innovation

We use our initiative and are agile in finding creative solutions.

Responsibility

We take individual and collective responsibility.

Equality

We work with integrity and are open, honest and respectful of each other.