General Manager (Training Provider)Bedford | Full-Time | Permanent£35,000 - £40,000 per year
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic General Manager to lead the operational management of our office support teams within a thriving Further Education and Independent Training Provider environment.
This pivotal leadership role will oversee:
1. Programme Support Officers
2. Coordination Supervisor and coordination team
3. Data Coordinators
4. Administrative staff
The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining exceptional standards across:
5. Operational performance
6. Compliance
7. Professionalism
8. Safeguarding
9. Data management
10. Reporting
11. Office culture
This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in ensuring an efficient, compliant, and supportive organisation dedicated to education and learner success.
Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership
12. Lead and manage all office-based operational support staff
13. Ensure teams work efficiently, professionally, and collaboratively
14. Monitor workloads and allocate resources effectively
15. Support continuous improvement of operational systems and processes
16. Ensure business priorities and learner needs are consistently met
Management Information & Reporting
17. Ensure compliant and effective use of Management Information Systems (MIS)
18. Maintain outstanding standards of data accuracy, integrity, and audit readiness
19. Produce and oversee Power BI reports and operational dashboards
20. Monitor KPIs, learner data, attendance, funding evidence, and performance metrics
21. Support quality assurance and compliance activities relating to:
22. ESFA
23. Ofsted
24. Awarding bodies
25. Internal audits
Team Management & Culture
26. Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture
27. Maintain high standards of office conduct and professionalism
28. Monitor attendance, punctuality, and staff performance
29. Conduct:
30. Team meetings
31. Supervision sessions
32. Performance reviews
33. Support staff wellbeing, engagement, and development
34. Address conduct or performance issues in line with company policies
Safeguarding & Compliance
35. Ensure completion of mandatory safeguarding and compliance training
36. Promote a strong safeguarding culture throughout the organisation
37. Support adherence to:
38. GDPR
39. Health & Safety
40. Equality & Diversity
41. Prevent Duty
42. Organisational policies
43. Work closely with senior leadership to maintain full regulatory compliance
Essential Criteria Experience
44. Significant experience within a Further Education college or Independent Training Provider (ITP)
45. Proven experience managing operational or administrative teams
46. Experience overseeing learner data, MIS systems, and funding compliance
47. Strong Power BI and operational reporting experience
48. Experience managing office operations and staff performance
Knowledge & Skills
49. Strong understanding of FE funding and compliance requirements
50. Excellent leadership and organisational skills
51. Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
52. High attention to detail and data accuracy
53. Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
54. Confidence using:
55. Microsoft Office
56. MIS systems
57. Reporting tools
58. Strong understanding of safeguarding and compliance responsibilities
Desirable Criteria
59. Experience preparing for Ofsted inspections or funding audits
60. Knowledge of ESFA funding rules and learner evidence requirements
61. ILM or management qualification
62. Experience implementing operational improvement initiatives
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
63. Professional and approachable
64. Highly organised and proactive
65. Supportive and people-focused
66. Calm under pressure
67. Solutions-oriented
68. Committed to continuous improvement
69. Passionate about education and learner success
What We Offer
70. Opportunity to join a growing and innovative education organisation
71. Supportive leadership team and collaborative culture
72. Career development opportunities
73. A meaningful role supporting learners and education delivery
74. Office-based position with direct organisational impact
Important Information
The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service and employment will be subject to references.
This post is not exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.