Job Title: Head of Energy & Engineering Provision
Location: North East
Salary: Circa £60,000 per annum
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Start Date: ASAP
Role Overview
A prestigious Further Education group in the North East is appointing a Head of Energy & Engineering to lead their flagship Energy and Engineering provision. This senior leadership post is designed for an experienced engineering professional who began on the tools/shop floor—ideally through a formal apprenticeship—before transitioning into educational management.
Leading teams across Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Fabrication & Welding, you will oversee curriculum design, staff performance, workshop safety culture, and strategic employer partnerships to align technical training with regional industry demands.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Electrical, Mechanical, Fabrication, and Welding departments.
- Line-manage, support, and mentor academic teaching staff, course leaders, and technical workshop teams.
- Drive curriculum evolution to ensure courses and apprenticeships reflect modern industrial techniques, green energy standards, and employer skills gaps.
- Build and sustain relationships with regional engineering, energy, and manufacturing employers.
- Spearhead improvements in pedagogy, learner outcomes, retention, and quality assurance (SAR / QIP).
- Enforce exemplary health, safety, and operational standards across all heavy engineering workshops and training bays.
- Drive a high-performance departmental culture with strong professional behaviours.
Requirements
- Essential Background: Practical engineering credibility—a time-served engineering apprenticeship (Electrical, Mechanical, Maintenance, or Fabrication) with hands‑on shop‑floor experience. (Not suitable for purely academic or office‑based profiles).
- Essential FE Experience: 5 to 10 years of experience within Further Education or technical training providers, including demonstrable leadership/management experience.
- Essential Qualifications: Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, Level 5 DET, or equivalent).
- Proven track record of improving departmental standards, quality metrics, and staff engagement.
- Strong working knowledge of engineering health and safety legislation (COSHH, PUWER, HASAWA).
Package & Staff Benefits
- Salary circa £60,000
- Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) / Local Government Pension Scheme
- Executive annual leave entitlement + bank holidays + seasonal college closures
- Structured executive leadership development and regional networking opportunities
Important Notice
We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.
Because education matters.
© Dovetail and Slate Limited
Head of Energy employer: Dovetail and Slate
As a Headteacher in our specialist education setting in Manchester, you will be part of a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the growth and development of both staff and students. We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for professional development, and a commitment to maintaining high standards in education, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people with SEMH and SEND needs. Join us in fostering an inclusive environment where your leadership can thrive and contribute to the success of our community.
