JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Further Education and Colleges
LOCATION: Hybrid & Manchester Group Head Office
SALARY: £90,000 per annum (not pro rata)
HOURS: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Regional Director
1st STAGE INTERVIEW DATE: May 13, 2025
2nd STAGE ONTERVIEW DATE: May 16, 2025
START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2025 OR SOONER
UK Applicants Only - Sponsorship Not Provided
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Assistant Director of Further Education and Colleges is accountable for a portfolio of colleges within the division. The role is charged with ensuring that these deliver all elements of performance as specified in the individual college development plan, budget and group-wide expectations. The role includes the maintenance and improvement of quality, staff retention and well- being, financial performance, sustainability, and growth
The job holder will be the lead for all colleges in the division (currently 3), with ultimate Safeguarding responsibility as a priority. The Assistant Director will work collaboratively with the other Assistant Directors as a key part of the Options Autism senior leadership team, positively driving all aspects of growth and working practice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
To lead, line manage and hold accountable college leaders within the portfolio and work with them and their management teams to produce and deliver the overall college plans, covering: progress and achievement, occupancy, health and safety, regulatory compliance, cost management, growth, staff engagement and development, profit and growth. The individual college plans will fit within the overall Options division strategy.
ACCOUNTABILTIES:
Provision of strong leadership, based on a clear vision, direction of development and the outcomes to be achieved.
Lead weekly cluster calls with all direct reports to share and promote key group information.
Conduct site visits to both support and challenge the operational teams.
Complete and document performance management meetings with all direct reports
Monitor and report on performance across the college portfolio.
Provide overall education leadership in key areas of delivery, and undertake cross divisional projects/support, as agreed with the Managing Director.
Lead and undertake growth projects to further strengthen the position of the division and overall group.
DELIVERY OF COLLEGE PERFORMANCE AS DEFINED BY:
Student progress & achievement (academic and other measures)
Internal quality standards and external stakeholder judgement
Welfare, health and safety of students
Curriculum effectiveness
Occupancy
Financial targets
Growth /expansion targets
Champion the best possible outcomes for all in our colleges.
Ensure colleges remain compliant in all areas at all times.
Ensure best practice is transferred between college settings.
Use internal quality assessment outcomes and other assessments of quality (e.g. LA feedback, SEF and external inspections etc) to inform the college improvement journey.
Support colleges in preparation for external inspection.
Build key relationships with
Internal colleagues within the division and wider group to further the improvement of the service and wider group.
External regulatory bodies.
Key commissioning relationships, liaising on a regular basis with the relevant Local Authorities to build and maintain a positive working relationship.
Ensure (through the management structure and with support from HR colleagues), that the staff group working within the portfolio are appropriately trained, compliant to legal regulations, and are well supported to carry out their roles.
ESSENTIAL
Strategic thinker, ideally Further Education management background.
Experience in overseeing transformational and growth projects.
Strong leadership style with ability to manage and motivate cross-functional teams.
Collaborative approach, proactive, problem solver and outcome focused.
Financially literate with the ability to manage budgets.
Experience of managing risks and controls and overseeing effective governance.
Confidence to ‘stand tall’, challenge thinking where appropriate, and to facilitate discussions and build consensus.
Ability to multitask and work efficiently under pressure.
Full UK Driving Licence
DESIRABLE
A professional (with relevant professional qualifications) who has experience of leading multi-sites.
Experience of leading an independent specialist college.
SKILLS
Ability to combine support and challenge of direct reports
Ability to mentor staff reporting into this role
Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
Demonstrable commercial awareness
Demonstrable financial awareness
Excellent communication skills, particularly with regard to communicating at a senior level both within and outside of the organisation
Strong team working skills
High-level leadership and motivational skills
Strong analytical skills
Results driven
Benefits
Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:
Life Assurance
Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
“Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
Electric Car Purchase Scheme
Critical illness cover
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS