Apprenticeship Quality Manager in Derby

Educated Appointments are delighted to be supporting a forward-thinking, growing training provider to recruit an experienced Quality Manager to join their team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about quality, learner experience and continuous improvement within apprenticeships. You’ll be joining an ambitious provider with exciting growth plans, a strong commitment to high standards and a genuine focus on helping learners, employers and colleagues succeed.

The organisation delivers a range of apprenticeship and commercial training programmes nationally, supporting learners across areas such as Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Creative Media, Marketing and Business Services. As they continue to grow, they are developing a highly connected learning environment that brings together employers, industry specialists, coaches and learners to create meaningful workplace impact.

As Quality Manager, you’ll play a key role in strengthening and embedding an outstanding quality culture across the organisation. Working closely with delivery, curriculum, operations and compliance teams, you’ll help ensure learners receive a consistent, supportive and high-quality experience throughout their apprenticeship journey.

The Role

You’ll be responsible for leading and coordinating a range of quality assurance activity across apprenticeship provision, including observations of teaching, learning and assessment, IQA sampling, learner progress monitoring, standardisation, quality reporting and continuous improvement planning. This is a hands-on and influential role where you’ll not only monitor quality, but actively support colleagues to develop, improve and deliver excellent outcomes for learners and employers.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage quality assurance activity across apprenticeship provision
• Conduct and oversee OTLA activity, learning walks and developmental feedback
• Complete IQA checks to ensure consistency, accuracy and compliance across learner evidence and assessment decisions
• Support the embedding of Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and Apprenticeship Accountability Framework expectations
• Ensure apprenticeship delivery remains compliant with DfE funding rules, awarding organisation requirements and internal quality standards
• Work closely with operations and compliance colleagues to monitor learner progress, engagement, timely completion and achievement
• Monitor tutor performance, CPD completion and participation in standardisation
• Support and organise standardisation meetings, quality forums and CPD sessions
• Produce quality reports, KPI updates and improvement actions for senior leaders
• Identify trends, risks and areas for development through quality monitoring activity
• Ensure learner reviews, off-the-job evidence, safeguarding records and quality documentation are maintained accurately
• Monitor learner and employer feedback to inform continuous improvement
• Promote a culture of safeguarding, inclusion, learner support and high expectations
• Support preparation for audits, Ofsted activity and funding assurance reviews
• Maintain the organisation’s Quality Calendar
• Support the delivery of Quality Practitioner training and guide learners through successful completion

About You

We’re looking for someone who brings strong apprenticeship quality experience and a positive, collaborative approach. You’ll be confident working across teams, able to coach and support colleagues, and comfortable using data and quality activity to drive meaningful improvement.

You’ll need:

• Strong understanding of apprenticeship quality assurance processes
• Knowledge of current Ofsted expectations, including 2025 guidance
• Understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework and Apprenticeship Accountability Framework
• Good knowledge of DfE funding rules and apprenticeship compliance requirements
• Experience completing OTLA observations and/or IQA activity
• Experience within apprenticeship delivery, further education or work-based learning
• Excellent communication, coaching and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisation and time management skills
• Ability to analyse data, identify trends and support improvement planning
• Confidence using digital systems such as Bud, Microsoft Teams, Excel, Word and Outlook
• A learner-focused, professional and improvement-led approach
• Good understanding of safeguarding, Prevent Duty and learner support
• Experience within a growing apprenticeship provision across multiple standards

Qualifications

Essential:

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent
• Experience within apprenticeship or further education provision

Desirable:

• IQA qualification, or willingness to work towards one
• Teaching qualification, or willingness to work towards a recognised teaching qualification

Why Apply?

This is a brilliant opportunity to join a growing provider at an exciting stage of development. You’ll have the chance to shape quality practice, influence learner experience and support a team that is genuinely committed to making apprenticeships engaging, impactful and high quality. You’ll be joining a supportive and ambitious environment where quality is seen as everyone’s responsibility, and where your expertise will make a real difference to learners, employers and colleagues.

Safeguarding

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate DBS checks and satisfactory references prior to employment.