At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality improvement for apprenticeships, ensuring top-notch teaching and assessment standards.
- Company: Join Baltic Apprenticeships, a top-rated workplace dedicated to learner success.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4.5-day work week, 25+ days leave, and mental health support.
- Other info: Be part of a fun, supportive team with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on learners' futures while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in apprenticeship delivery and strong coaching skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
- Department: Support Services (Quality) Line Manager: Quality Manager Location: Hybrid Role
- DBS Check Required: Yes Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Who We Are
As a leading provider of apprenticeships within the IT, Tech and Digital sector we are here to make a difference to every learner and inspire them to succeed.
It’s why we exist; it drives everything we do.
General Role Purpose
The Quality Development Lead is responsible for providing strategic and operational quality leadership across designated apprenticeship routeways, ensuring exceptional standards in teaching, learning, assessment, progress reviews and End Point Assessment preparation.
Working collaboratively with Programme Managers, Coaches and Operational Leaders, the role provides end to end ownership of quality improvement, using evidence, data and professional expertise to evaluate practice, identify improvement priorities and drive outstanding learner outcomes.
The postholder will act as a trusted quality partner, developing staff capability, supporting curriculum excellence and ensuring Baltic Apprenticeships maintains high standards aligned to Ofsted expectations, apprenticeship standards and organisational quality priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Routeway Quality Leadership
- Hold end to end responsibility for quality performance within designated routeways.
- Develop a detailed understanding of curriculum intent, learner profiles, employer needs and routeway risks.
- Act as the primary quality contact for operational leaders.
- Provide quality intelligence, recommendations and improvement priorities.
- Teaching, Learning and Assessment Quality
- Conduct observations of teaching, learning and assessment.
- Conduct observations of progress reviews.
- Undertake quality check-ins and learner journey reviews.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of teaching, coaching and assessment practice.
- Support staff to improve learner engagement, progress and achievement.
- Quality of Assessment
- Lead quality assurance of assessment practice.
- Conduct portfolio sampling and assessment verification activities.
- Review assessment decisions for validity, reliability and consistency.
- Evaluate learner readiness for Apprenticeship Assessments.
- Support coaches in preparing learners for successful Apprenticeship Assessment outcomes.
- Quality Improvement
- Design and implement quality improvement plans.
- Deliver coaching, mentoring and professional development.
- Monitor the impact of interventions.
- Escalate risks where required.
- Standardisation and Workforce Development
- Lead routeway standardisation sessions.
- Support onboarding of new delivery staff.
- Deliver training on teaching, learning, assessment and Apprenticeship Assessment practice.
- Share best practice across operational teams.
- Curriculum and Resource Quality
- Review curriculum resources, project briefs and assessment materials.
- Evaluate alignment between curriculum intent and implementation.
- Support curriculum teams to improve quality and consistency.
- Quality Intelligence and Reporting
- Analyse quality, learner, achievement and Apprenticeship Assessment data.
- Identify trends and emerging risks.
- Produce quality reports for leaders.
- Inform strategic improvement activity.
- Inspection and Compliance
- Support Ofsted readiness activities.
- Contribute to deep dives and thematic reviews.
• Ensure quality activity aligns with
- EIF
- Apprenticeship standards
- Apprenticeship Assessment requirements
- Internal quality frameworks
Additional Duties
The Quality Development Lead will also
- Support organisational Self-Assessment and Quality Improvement Planning.
- Contribute to Ofsted preparation activities, deep dives and inspection readiness.
- Support cross-routeway quality improvement projects.
- Share effective practice across delivery teams.
- Contribute to the continuous development of Baltic's quality frameworks.
- Undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Knowledge
- Thorough understanding of apprenticeship delivery and learner journeys.
- Excellent knowledge of teaching, learning and assessment within apprenticeship provision.
- Strong understanding of apprenticeship assessment practice and End Point Assessment requirements.
- Knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework.
- Understanding of curriculum design, sequencing and intent.
- Knowledge of quality assurance and quality improvement methodologies.
- Understanding of apprenticeship funding rules relating to learner progress and assessment.
Skills
- Excellent observation and coaching skills.
- Strong quality assurance and auditing skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret learner, achievement and Apprenticeship Assessment performance data.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Ability to challenge practice constructively.
- Strong report writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to plan and prioritise multiple quality improvement activities.
Experience
- Significant experience within apprenticeship or further education.
- Experience of observing teaching, learning and assessment.
- Experience of quality assurance of assessment practice.
- Experience of coaching and developing staff.
- Experience of supporting quality improvement initiatives.
- Experience of preparing organisations for Ofsted or external quality assurance.
- Experience of analysing quality and performance data.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Knowledge
- Curriculum design principles.
- Coaching and mentoring methodologies.
- Digital learning methodologies.
- AI-enhanced learning approaches.
- Internal quality assurance methodologies.
Skills
- Advanced data analysis.
- Project management.
- Facilitation of standardisation events.
- Curriculum review and evaluation.
Experience
- Leading quality improvement projects.
- Working across multiple apprenticeship standards.
- Supporting Outstanding Ofsted outcomes.
- Internal quality auditing.
- Leading standardisation across delivery teams.
Essential Qualifications
- Level 2 English and Maths.
- Teaching qualification (or willingness to achieve).
- Assessor qualification (or equivalent experience).
- IQA qualification or willingness to work towards.
- Evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable Qualifications
- Level 5 qualification in Education, Leadership or Quality.
- Internal Quality Assurance qualification.
- Coaching or mentoring qualification.
- Advanced Practitioner qualification.
- Project Management qualification.
Our Benefits
At Baltic, we’re committed to creating an environment where you can thrive – professionally, personally, and socially.
Voted one of the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Places to Work 2024, we’re proud of our culture, our people, and the meaningful work we do every day.
Here’s what you can look forward to as part of Team Baltic
Culture & Work-Life Balance
- A fun, supportive environment with regular social events and team activities
- Early finish every Friday – we operate a 4.5-day working week
- 25+ days annual leave, increasing to 30 with length of service
- No weekend or Bank Holiday working
- Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Additional Life Event Day annually for those big moments that matter
- Buy & Sell Holiday Scheme for extra flexibility
Health & Wellbeing
- Free, confidential mental health support through SPILL
- Access to high-value wellbeing initiatives, including face-to-face sessions with a Health & Wellbeing Specialist
- Local discounted gym memberships
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave (after 2 years’ service)
Recognition & Engagement
- Baltic Scratch Card Scheme – instant wins for great work
- Baltic Breakfasts, competitions, and engagement days
- Volunteer Day annually to give back to causes you care about
- A successful Quality Development Lead team member will embody our core values:
- Be the
Expert: Continuously develop deep knowledge of systems, processes, and business operations to deliver reliable, data-driven insights and solutions that improve performance and efficiency.
- Be the Customer: Deliver responsive, tailored support to internal teams and stakeholders – understanding their needs and challenges to ensure smooth, effective service delivery.
- Be the
Future: Champion continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process gaps and innovation opportunities, helping the organisation scale sustainably and stay ahead in a dynamic environment.
By living these values, you’ll build strong cross-functional relationships, enhance operational excellence, and drive meaningful, lasting improvements across the business.
Baltic Apprenticeships is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, apprentices, and young people.
We expect all employees, contractors, and partners to share this commitment
We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
However, please note that we’re currently unable to offer visa sponsorship, so you’ll need to have existing right to work in the UK to be considered for this role.
Quality Development Lead in Darlington employer: Baltic Apprenticeships
At Baltic, we pride ourselves on being a top employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and personal well-being. As a Data Analyst Apprentice, you'll benefit from a structured career progression pathway, access to modern tools like Tableau, and a fantastic work-life balance with a 4.5-day working week, generous leave policies, and a commitment to employee health and happiness. Join us in our Head Office in Darlington, where your contributions will be valued, and you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing your analytical skills.
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We think this is how you could land Quality Development Lead in Darlington
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We think you need these skills to ace Quality Development Lead in Darlington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Learning:When applying for a role in digital learning and education at Baltic Apprenticeships, make sure to sprinkle your application with examples of your enthusiasm for teaching and learning technologies. Share specific experiences where you've used, designed, or implemented digital learning solutions, as this shows us that you truly get the field.
Highlight Relevant Education and Certification:In the digital learning space, having a strong educational background can set you apart. Don't shy away from showcasing your degrees, certifications, or relevant courses related to e-learning, instructional design, or educational technology. We love seeing candidates who have actively invested in their learning journey!
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Your CV is your first impression, so let's make it count! Focus on your skills directly related to digital learning, such as course development, learning management systems, and data analysis. Be sure to show measurable results from your past roles to demonstrate your impact and effectiveness.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express not just your qualifications, but your vision for the future of digital education. Discuss how your experiences align with the mission of Baltic Apprenticeships and highlight any innovative ideas you might have for enhancing learning experiences. This is your chance to connect with us on a deeper level!
How to prepare for a job interview at Baltic Apprenticeships
✨Get Hands-On with Learning Technologies
Familiarise yourself with common digital learning tools and platforms, like LMS systems or authoring tools that Baltic Apprenticeships might use. Understanding these will give you an edge and show you’re ready to jump in from day one!
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Prepare a portfolio of your past projects if you have them, or create sample lesson plans or digital content demos. Being able to discuss your creative approach to engaging students can really set you apart in a full-time role at Baltic Apprenticeships.
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Stay in the loop with the latest trends in digital education, like gamification or personalised learning experiences. This will help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview and demonstrate your passion for the field.
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Expect to be asked about your experience working collaboratively with educators or other stakeholders. Consider discussing how you've contributed to a team effort in creating engaging educational content or improving student outcomes.
