Programme Manager (Access)

Are you a forward-thinking and enthusiastic education or training manager with a background in construction, engineering or a related technical discipline? CITB is seeking an accomplished Programme Manager for Access & Scaffolding to lead, develop and grow our apprenticeship and commercial training provision at NCC South.

You may currently work within a Further Education college, an independent/private training provider or another vocational training environment. What matters most is your proven ability to lead people, improve quality and successfully manage and grow a vocational curriculum. This is an exciting opportunity to join and lead an experienced team while bringing fresh ideas, energy and strategic direction to a specialist curriculum area that is essential to the construction industry.

Hours of Work: Full-time (35 hours per week)
Working Pattern: Monday to Thursday, 7.25 hours per day and Fridays 6 hours
Contract: Permanent
Grade: SL1
Target Salary: £58,633 per annum
Additional Benefits: Car Allowance £6,799 per annum and outer London weighting allowance £2,650 per annum
Location: NCC South, Manor Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 2AD

Responsibilities

The opportunity: As Programme Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, performance, quality and strategic growth of the Access and Scaffolding curriculum area. You will join an established and experienced team of lecturers, instructors, assessors and support colleagues. Your role will be to provide visible and inspirational leadership, build on existing strengths and create an environment in which innovation, high expectations and continuous improvement are encouraged.

You will combine strategic curriculum leadership with effective operational management, ensuring that provision remains high-quality, compliant, financially sustainable and responsive to the changing needs of employers and the construction sector. Working closely with employers, industry partners, awarding organisations and internal stakeholders, you will identify opportunities to expand provision, strengthen learner progression and support CITB’s wider strategic priorities.

Direct experience of managing Access and Scaffolding provision would be advantageous. However, we are equally interested in experienced managers from broader construction, engineering, building services or technical education backgrounds who can demonstrate a successful track record of curriculum leadership and growth.

About the Role

• Lead and manage the Access & Scaffolding curriculum area, providing clear operational direction and leadership
• Ensure provision meets Ofsted Education Inspection Framework standards and Skills Development Scotland requirements where applicable
• Drive compliance with funding regulations, awarding body requirements and internal quality standards
• Lead curriculum planning, ensuring programmes are commercially viable and aligned to industry needs
• Manage and develop lecturers, instructors and support teams, fostering a culture of excellence in teaching, learning and assessment
• Lead quality improvement initiatives, self-assessment activity and curriculum performance reviews
• Develop high-quality learning resources and effective teaching practices
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry partners, awarding organisations and other stakeholders
• Oversee learner performance, implementing strategies to support learners at risk of falling behind
• Ensure the safe management of specialist equipment, plant and resources within the curriculum area
• Champion safeguarding, inclusion, equality, diversity and health and safety across all activities

What we’re looking for:

• Essential:
• Experience in education at management level
• Minimum level 3 vocational qualification relevant to Construction or Engineering
• Relevant specialist licences and industry qualifications
• Significant construction industry experience within a related discipline
• Experience of managing curriculum, quality improvement or training programmes
• Level 5 teaching qualification (or willingness to achieve within two years)
• Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification (or willingness to work towards)
• English and Maths at Level 2 or above
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and inspire teams
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Desirable:
• Higher-level construction-related qualification
• Higher-level education qualification
• Experience of apprenticeship delivery and vocational education
• Strong understanding of current Access & Scaffolding industry standards and practices
• SMSTS Certificate (or willingness to work towards)

What You’ll Get in Return:

• Free onsite lunch — Yes, every day!
• Free onsite parking — No meters, no stress
• All PPE provided — Fully kitted out, ready to teach
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• 3 additional days Christmas shutdown
• Generous pension scheme (up to 9% employer contribution)
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Professional development & funded training qualifications
• Employee Assistance Programme — because your wellbeing matters
• A team that respects you, your trade, and your time-served knowledge

Join CITB (Help Build the Future of UK Construction) At CITB, we help the construction industry attract, develop and retain the talent it needs to thrive. You'll join an organisation that is passionate about learning, innovation and creating opportunities for people across the sector.

Closing Date: Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the stated closing date. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Safer Recruitment: CITB is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people. Candidates must be willing to undergo the requisite pre-employment vetting checks and procedures, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. An enhanced DBS with child barring check is required for this post. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all criminal convictions, cautions, and warnings, including those that are spent, unless they are protected under current DBS filtering rules.

During the shortlisting process, CITB may consider carrying out an online search on shortlisted candidates as part of its due diligence.

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. We are committed to equal opportunities and recruit based on merit, skills and experience.