Head Of Education

National Skills Agency Ltd; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

National Skills Agency Ltd in Suffolk is seeking a Head of Education to provide strategic and operational leadership across Study Programmes, Supported Internships and SEND provision, driving growth, quality and outstanding learner outcomes.

Working closely with the COO, CEO and senior leadership team, you will identify new opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and maximise the organisation's government-funded income and performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' leadership experience in education or related sector.
• Teaching qualification at Level 4/5 and governance/compliance knowledge.
• Experience with government-funded education contracts and ESFA funding.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership across Study Programmes, Supported Internships and SEND provision.
• Lead management across sites, ensuring KPI performance and financial sustainability.
• Maintain Ofsted-ready approach and compliance with ESFA contracts.
• Oversee learner outcomes, safeguarding and data reporting.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic leadership

Partnership development

Governance & compliance

Education

Level 5 Management qualification

Teaching qualification (PGCE/Cert Ed)

Level 4 vocational qualification

TAQA Level 3

Level 2 Functional Skills (English, Maths, ICT)

Job description

Job Title: Head of Education

Location: Suffolk / Hybrid

Salary: £45-£50k

Role Overview:

The Head of Education will provide strategic and operational leadership across Study Programmes, Supported Internships and SEND provision, driving growth, quality and outstanding learner outcomes.

Working closely with the COO, CEO and senior leadership team, the Head of Education will identify new opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and maximise the organisation's government-funded income and performance.

The role will lead and empower management teams across all sites, ensuring effective use of resources, strong KPI performance, financial sustainability, regulatory compliance and an exceptional learner experience.

Role Purpose

To provide inspirational leadership, strategic direction and commercial focus across government-funded education, ensuring sustainable growth, regulatory compliance, high-quality provision and outstanding outcomes for every learner.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Act as a senior adviser to the COO on government-funded education, identifying key risks, opportunities and sector developments.
• Identify and develop new opportunities across Study Programmes, Supported Internships and SEND.
• Build strong relationships with employers, strategic partners, funding bodies and other stakeholders.
• Develop initiatives that improve provision, generate income and support sustainable growth.
• Strengthen the organisation's reputation as a high-quality provider within the education and training sector.

Leadership & Performance

• Provide inspirational leadership to managers and delivery teams across all sites.
• Develop and empower leaders and staff to achieve high standards and learner outcomes.
• Ensure effective workforce planning, performance management and resource deployment.
• Promote a culture of openness, accountability, continuous improvement and success.

Quality, Compliance & Safeguarding

• Maintain an Ofsted-ready approach and lead preparation for future inspections.
• Work with the Quality Improvement Team to drive high-quality provision and outstanding outcomes.
• Ensure full compliance with ESFA contracts, funding requirements, organisational policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to maintain robust safeguarding standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all required data, reporting and compliance activity.

Financial & Operational Management

• Monitor government-funded income, expenditure and performance against agreed budgets and targets.
• Ensure recruitment and income targets are achieved.
• Ensure resources are deployed effectively and provision remains financially sustainable.
• Provide regular performance updates to the CEO, COO, senior leadership and finance teams.

Learner Outcomes

• Keep the learner experience at the centre of strategic and operational decisions.
• Drive improvements in attendance, retention, achievement and progression.
• Ensure effective identification and intervention for at-risk learners.
• Promote effective engagement with parents and carers, particularly within SEND provision.
• Ensure learner feedback is acted upon and robust destination data is captured.
• Work with curriculum and quality teams to ensure programmes meet learner and employer needs.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years' relevant sector/industry experience/leadership experience.
• Level 5 Management qualification or above.
• Teaching qualification at Level 4/5, e.g. PGCE or Certificate in Education.
• Minimum Level 4 vocational qualification or equivalent.
• TAQA Level 3 or equivalent.
• Level 2 Functional Skills or equivalent in English, Mathematics and ICT.

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.