Programme Manager
Engineering
Salary: £49,721 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent Full time 37 hours per week
Reference: REC2131 | Closing Date: Tuesday, 29th July 2025
The Opportunity
You’ll lead the delivery of a high-quality, forward-thinking curriculum that prepares our learners for rewarding careers in the engineering and automotive industries. Based at our STEM Centre, you’ll oversee both the operational and curriculum management across Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Manufacturing, and Automotive pathways.
In this role, you’ll guide and motivate a dedicated team of Lecturers, Assessors, and Technicians, helping them deliver engaging and inclusive teaching that supports every student to reach their potential. You’ll foster a culture of collaboration, ambition, and continuous improvement—ensuring your team feels supported, challenged, and inspired to achieve high standards. Through effective line management, mentoring, and performance review, you’ll help shape a positive working environment that puts our learners first.
You’ll lead on curriculum planning and development, ensuring your programmes are relevant, up to date, and responsive to industry demands. Whether it’s T Levels, BTECs, City & Guilds, or Higher National qualifications, you’ll keep your offer fresh and purposeful. You’ll also take ownership of key performance areas like attendance, retention, and achievement—using insight and data to drive improvement and enhance the overall learner experience.
Alongside curriculum leadership, you’ll manage essential quality processes including internal verification, timetabling, and assessment planning. You’ll support our learners throughout their journey—from recruitment and induction to achievement and progression—working closely with support teams to make sure every student has access to the help they need to succeed.
You’ll also play a part in building employer and stakeholder relationships to keep your curriculum aligned with sector needs and to open up opportunities for learners. From supporting inspections to leading on safeguarding within your area, you’ll help maintain the high standards expected across the College. This is a great opportunity to bring energy, direction, and purpose to a department that’s ready to grow, and to contribute to a college that’s focused on quality, innovation, and learner success.
This is a great opportunity to combine your leadership, curriculum expertise, and industry insight to make a genuine impact—both on the development of staff and the future prospects of our learners.
About You
Ideally, you are an experienced education professional with a strong background in engineering – whether in mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, or automotive disciplines – and you are confident in your ability to lead, develop and manage curriculum delivery effectively. You’ll have a solid understanding of the further education sector and are committed to delivering high-quality teaching and learning experiences that meet the needs of our students, employers, and industry.
You’ll be ready to take on a leadership role where you can contribute to strategic planning and operational delivery. You have experience managing or coordinating programmes and understand the importance of aligning curriculum with industry standards and qualification frameworks. You are proactive, well-organised, and capable of managing competing priorities with a clear focus on outcomes.
You can lead and motivate a team, setting high standards and providing clear direction. You are confident in managing performance, providing constructive feedback, and supporting staff development. Your leadership style promotes collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
You are also comfortable managing the day-to-day operations of a curriculum area, including timetabling, quality assurance, internal verification, and budget monitoring. You understand how to use data to track and improve performance, and you approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset.
Your communication skills enable you to build strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including students, colleagues, employers and external partners. You are confident representing your curriculum area internally and externally and take pride in contributing to a positive and professional learning environment.
Above all, you are learner-centred in your approach. You are committed to raising standards, supporting progression, and ensuring all our learners have access to the support and guidance they need to succeed. You act with integrity, show a strong commitment to safeguarding, and consistently uphold the College’s values.
Below is a list of some of the key skills, qualifications and experience we are seeking for this exciting opportunity.
Required
* Degree or Level 4 qualification in a relevant engineering discipline
* Teaching qualification (or willingness to work towards a Level 6 PGCE)
* GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications)
* Evidence of recent and relevant CPD
* Minimum five years’ teaching experience, including course coordination
* Proven track record of effective teaching
* Experience in curriculum and programme development
* Experience in quality assurance and improvement processes
* Strong commitment to student support and achievement
* Experience in appraisals or providing performance feedback
Reasons to join us
* We offer substantial annual leave entitlement (Up to 47 days per year including bank and public holidays)
* Holiday purchase scheme to buy additional annual leave days
* Teachers’ Pension Scheme
* We invest in our people through funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training and paid volunteering days
* Career advancement opportunities with tailored support for staff to progress
* Free Barnsley College courses to support your professional and personal development (subject to approval)
* 24/7 access to same day appointments with a GP
* Exclusive discounts and cashback for retail, dining and leisure as part of YouatWork
* Access to health cash plans as members of the Westfield Health Scheme or Health Shield
* Discounted college gym membership with onsite facilities
* Supporting employee mental health through access to free counselling services and the Foundations App
* Discounts schemes for greener travel including Northern Rail, Trainline and Cycle to Work
* Free Microsoft Office 365 for personal use on up to five machines
* Access to discounted hair and beauty therapies at our onsite salon
* On site subsidised Starbucks and food outlets offering a variety of dining options
* Free breakfast provided daily for all staff members
* Our shared purpose - We believe in transforming the lives of both our learners and staff
Closing date for applications is Tuesday, 29th July 2025. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early depending on the level of interest.
Barnsley College is committed to creating a dynamic and diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of their gender, disability, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or faith. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure from DBS.
Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children