Director of Apprenticeships

Educators; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cardiff and Vale College is seeking an outstanding Director of Apprenticeships to provide strategic and inclusive leadership across our Work-Based Learning provision. This senior role will shape the future of our apprenticeship offer, drive excellence in teaching, learning and assessment, and ensure strong contract performance for learners from diverse backgrounds.

You will lead a team, manage the apprenticeship portfolio including direct delivery and subcontracted provision, and collaborate

Qualifications

• Significant experience within the Post-16/WBL sector with a strong understanding of Welsh Government skills and funding priorities.
• Proven senior leadership experience delivering multi-million-pound contracts or projects.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving growth, innovation and profitability.
• Experience of managing or delivering apprenticeship programmes.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and project management skills.
• A collaborative, values-driven leadership style that inspires teams and builds effective partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic and operational leadership for the College's apprenticeship provision.
• Leading and inspiring teams to achieve outstanding outcomes and contribute to College KPIs.
• Managing the College's apprenticeship contract, including direct delivery and subcontracted provision.
• Driving curriculum innovation aligned to employer, learner and Welsh Government priorities.
• Overseeing contract performance, financial sustainability and effective resource management.
• Building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with employers, sector partners and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, improvement planning and monitoring.
• Promoting a collaborative, supportive and high‑performing team culture where colleagues feel valued and included.

Skills

Senior leadership

Contract management

Commercial acumen

Apprenticeship programmes

Analytical/organisational/project

Collaborative leadership

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Salary: Per annum

Cardiff and Vale College are seeking an outstanding Director of Apprenticeships to provide strategic and inclusive leadership across our Work-Based Learning (WBL) provision. This senior role will shape the future of our apprenticeship offer, driving excellence in teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring strong contract performance, and supporting the development of high‑quality, employer-responsive pathways for learners from all backgrounds.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Supporting sustainable commercial development through informed strategies that drive growth in new and existing markets.
• Leading the management of a portfolio of contracts and projects, delivering successfully against objectives and budget.
• Working collaboratively across the College and Group to deliver against ambitious but achievable growth plans that benefit learners, employers and the wider community.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing strategic and operational leadership for the College's apprenticeship provision.
• Leading and inspiring teams to achieve outstanding outcomes and contribute to College KPIs.
• Managing the College's apprenticeship contract, including direct delivery and subcontracted provision.
• Driving curriculum innovation aligned to employer, learner and Welsh Government priorities.
• Overseeing contract performance, financial sustainability and effective resource management.
• Building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with employers, sector partners and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, improvement planning and monitoring.
• Promoting a collaborative, supportive and high‑performing team culture where colleagues feel valued and included.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience within the Post-16/WBL sector, with a strong understanding of Welsh Government skills and funding priorities
• Proven senior leadership experience delivering multi-million-pound contracts or projects
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving growth, innovation and profitability
• Experience of managing or delivering apprenticeship programmes
• Excellent analytical, organisational and project management skills
• A collaborative, values-driven leadership style that inspires teams and builds effective partnerships

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience gained through substantial industry or sector leadership

Additional Information

Closing date for applications is 28th October 2026 at 11.59pm , and interviews will take place 6th November 2026

For full details of the role, responsibilities and person specification, and to support your application, please refer to the job pack. To find out more about Cardiff and Vale College, visit www.cavc.ac.uk . If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail] .

All vacancies are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Employment cannot commence until a satisfactory and up-to-date DBS check has been received. The College's Procedure for the Suitability of Ex-Offenders for Employment is available upon request.

Please note that some roles may require registration with the Education Workforce Council (EWC). Where this applies, employment will be conditional upon obtaining and maintaining the appropriate registration.

Employment with Cardiff and Vale College is also subject to satisfactory references. Before employment can commence, the College must receive two references, one of which must be from your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted following appointment.

These checks form part of our pre-employment requirements and must be satisfactorily completed before employment can commence.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities and are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the learners and communities we serve. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we are committed to the recruitment, development and retention of disabled people, ensuring an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.