Director of Apprenticeships
Hugh Baird College, Bootle, Liverpool
Full-Time Permanent
50 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
£54,571 - £56,911 per annum
Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Access to Medicash and many other staff benefits
Join an Outstanding Team
At Hugh Baird College, an Ofsted Outstanding provider, we are committed to inspiring, challenging, and transforming lives. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and we foster a workplace where ideas are valued, creativity is nurtured, and professional growth is supported.
Lead Excellence. Drive Growth. Transform Apprenticeships
Are you an exceptional leader with the vision, experience and ambition to shape the future of apprenticeship education and training?
We are seeking a Director of Apprenticeships to provide operational leadership for one of the College's most important strategic areas. This is an exciting opportunity to lead high-performing teams, drive quality and compliance, and ensure outstanding outcomes for apprentices and employers.
Reporting to the Assistant Principal (Apprenticeships), you will lead the operational delivery of the College's apprenticeship provision, ensuring excellence in learner achievement, employer satisfaction, funding compliance and quality assurance. You will play a pivotal role in translating strategic priorities into operational success, whilst driving continuous improvement and sustainable growth.
Working closely with Curriculum Managers and employer-facing teams, you will foster a culture of high expectations, accountability and innovation, ensuring the College's apprenticeship offer remains responsive to employer needs and aligned with regional and national skills priorities.
Whether you are already operating at director level or are an experienced senior leader within apprenticeships looking for your next challenge, this role offers an outstanding opportunity to make a lasting impact within an ambitious and high-performing organisation.
Interested candidates are advised to apply early, as the vacancy will close once the right candidate is found.
As Director of Apprenticeships, you will provide operational leadership for the College's apprenticeship provision, ensuring outstanding quality, compliance, learner outcomes and employer satisfaction across all apprenticeship programmes. Working closely with the Assistant Principal, you will play a key role in delivering the College's apprenticeship strategy, driving continuous improvement and supporting sustainable growth.
You will:
- Lead the operational management of the College's apprenticeship provision, ensuring outstanding learner, employer and stakeholder experiences.
- Provide leadership and direction to Curriculum Managers and apprenticeship teams, creating a culture of high expectations, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Drive improvements in recruitment, retention, achievement, timely achievement, learner progress, employer satisfaction and destination outcomes.
- Lead quality assurance and quality improvement activity, ensuring continuous readiness for Ofsted inspections, ESFA audits and awarding organisation requirements.
- Use performance intelligence and data to identify trends, mitigate risks and drive sustained improvements across apprenticeship provision.
- Work collaboratively with employer engagement, business development and curriculum teams to strengthen employer partnerships and support apprenticeship growth.
- Ensure apprenticeship provision operates fully in line with funding regulations, compliance requirements and College strategic objectives.
- Support the development of innovative apprenticeship delivery models that respond to employer needs and regional skills priorities.
You will be an experienced and credible leader with a strong track record of delivering high-quality apprenticeship provision, driving performance and leading successful teams.
You will bring:
- Significant experience of leading and managing apprenticeship provision, including the leadership of curriculum and/or apprenticeship delivery teams.
- A strong track record of improving apprenticeship performance, learner outcomes, achievement rates and employer satisfaction.
- Extensive knowledge of apprenticeship funding regulations, quality assurance processes, ESFA requirements and Ofsted expectations.
- Experience of successfully leading change, driving continuous improvement and implementing innovative approaches to apprenticeship delivery.
- Proven experience of managing and developing high-performing teams, with the ability to challenge underperformance and inspire excellence.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to use performance data to identify trends, manage risk and drive operational improvement.
- Outstanding leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with employers, stakeholders and colleagues across the College.
- A passion for delivering exceptional apprenticeship experiences and creating opportunities that enable apprentices and employers to succeed.
Please refer to the person specification for further details.
Why Join Hugh Baird College?
When you join us, you become part of a caring and supportive community that prioritises employee wellbeing, development, and recognition. Here are some of the benefits available to you:
Generous holiday allowance
Up to 50 days annual holiday allowance, excluding bank holidays.
Flexible Working
We offer flexible working options depending on the business need, which can provide a better work-life balance for our employees.
Medicash
Access to Medicash’s health plans which are designed to look after you and your family by boosting your access to treatment and support.
Pension Scheme
You will have access to two of the best pension schemes in the country, the Teachers' or the Local Government Pension schemes, depending on your role with us.
Professional Development
We are committed to providing continual professional development, with both formal and informal opportunities designed to enhance your skills, knowledge and career growth.
Industrial Commercial Updates
Our teachers receive 35 hours per year to choose a commercial operation to visit with a view to bringing new innovative ideas back to the College.
Reward and Recognition
Our 'Get Recognised' employee reward scheme enables continuous acknowledgement of employee contributions, and our annual staff celebration event highlights colleagues who consistently embody our values.
Lifestyle Fitness Gym
You will have discounted access to our fully-equipped and modern on-campus Lifestyle Fitness gym.
Health and Wellbeing
You will have opportunities to take part in staff groups such as yoga, walking and meditation. You will also have access to Mental Health support and a Cycle to Work scheme.
Travel
You can take advantage of discounted rail travel or bus travel, interest-free season ticket loans for public transport services and free on-campus parking.
Retail Discounts
You will have access to offers to cashback and discounts at well-known retailers.
Blue Light Card
You may be eligible to apply for a Blue Light card, giving you access to exclusive discounts.
Who We Are
Hugh Baird College and University Centre is one of the top further education providers in the UK and one of only three colleges in the North West to hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
Serving the Liverpool City Region, the College includes Sefton Sixth Form College in Litherland and offers a wide range of opportunities, including vocational training for school leavers and adults, apprenticeships, A-levels, and university-level courses.
As a Mindful Employer, we are committed to creating a supportive and open culture around mental health. By signing the Charter for Employers Positive about Mental Health, we ensure our colleagues feel confident discussing mental health and accessing the support they need.
Our Vision, Mission and Values
Across our campuses, provisions, and the entire organisation, we are united by a shared vision, mission, strategic priorities, and values. These define who we are, shape our behaviour, and guide our work every day. Find out more
Safeguarding Our Students
Hugh Baird College is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and we expect all staff to uphold this commitment. This role requires an Enhanced DBS check, and applicants must disclose any convictions, cautions, reprimands, or final warnings in accordance with current guidelines.
Are you ready to make your mark?
This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking team, shape the future of education, and leave a legacy of impact. Start your application today.
