At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic curriculum in Travel, Food & Drink while driving student success and industry partnerships.
- Company: Leeds City College, a vibrant institution focused on exceptional education and real-world learning.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension schemes, CPD opportunities, and employee wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in students' lives while shaping the future of the travel and hospitality sectors.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams in FE or related sectors, with a passion for student success.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Leeds City College is seeking an exceptional and commercially driven Head of Department for Travel, Food & Drink to lead a vibrant and high‑profile curriculum area at our Printworks Campus. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a curriculum that delivers outstanding education and student outcomes, and operates with a strong commercial mindset, maximising income generation, employer partnerships and real‑world learning environments.
What You Will Do
- Lead a strong, employer‑led curriculum across Travel, Food & Drink, ensuring it is ambitious, relevant and aligned to industry standards.
- Drive high achievement, retention and progression outcomes, using data to identify gaps and implement rapid improvements.
- Create and deliver a clear commercial strategy for the area, increasing income through full‑cost courses, apprenticeships and commercial activity.
- Oversee and grow commercial learning environments (e.g. student restaurant, butchers block), ensuring they deliver both high‑quality student experience and revenue.
- Build strong partnerships with employers and industry, securing placements, live projects and progression opportunities.
- Lead and develop staff through performance management, coaching and CPD, creating a culture of accountability and excellence.
- Ensure consistently high standards in teaching, learning and assessment, aligned to Ofsted expectations.
- Take ownership of SAR, QIP and inspection readiness, ensuring a clear line of sight on impact.
- Manage budgets, staffing and resources to ensure efficiency, sustainability and growth.
- Contribute to wider college priorities including curriculum growth, innovation and skills development.
About You
- Has proven experience in leading teams within FE, hospitality, travel or a related sector.
- Brings strong understanding of the food, hospitality or travel industries, with current or recent sector knowledge.
- Has a track record of improving quality and delivering strong student outcomes.
- Demonstrates commercial acumen, with experience of income generation and employer engagement.
- Is confident using data and KPIs to drive performance and decision‑making.
- Is an inspiring leader who can motivate, challenge and develop staff to perform at their best.
- Is passionate about delivering an exceptional student experience and preparing learners for industry.
- Has a teaching qualification and relevant professional qualifications.
Benefits
- Annual Leave – Curriculum and Management: 44 days plus bank holidays; Curriculum support and business support: 39 days plus bank holidays.
- Pension Schemes With Generous Employer Contributions – Teachers’ Pension Scheme, Local Government Pension Scheme, People’s Pension Scheme.
- CPD Opportunities – Annual staff conference plus two additional staff development days.
- Qualifications – PGCE, Apprenticeships, Leadership and Management Courses.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives – Family Friendly Policies; discounted on‑site spa (Printworks) and gym (Park Lane).
- Travel and commuting – Discounted travel available through Metro card, Northern Rail, First Bus, Arriva Bus and cycle‑to‑work schemes.
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities – Flexibility varies by role; please discuss with the recruiting manager.
SAFEGUARDING
All staff and volunteers are required to share the college’s commitment to safeguarding and welfare of all students. Successful applicants will complete mandatory pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and online checks, and will provide two satisfactory references.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms, ensuring every candidate is treated with fairness, respect and equity. All recruitment processes are designed to promote a diverse talent pool and remove bias.
RECRUITMENT AGENCIES
We do not accept unsolicited CVs and applications from agencies and will not be liable for any fee in connection with a candidate that has been submitted speculatively through any agency that is not expressly instructed for this vacancy as part of our Preferred Supplier List.
Head of Department - Travel, Food and Drink in Leeds employer: Leeds City College
Leeds City College is an outstanding employer that prioritises the professional growth and wellbeing of its staff while fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture. With generous annual leave, robust pension schemes, and extensive CPD opportunities, employees are supported in their career development and personal wellbeing. The college's commitment to industry partnerships and real-world learning environments ensures that staff can make a meaningful impact on students' lives, all within a dynamic and commercially driven curriculum area located at the Printworks Campus.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Department - Travel, Food and Drink in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a personal website that highlights your achievements and projects in the Travel, Food, and Drink sectors. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the college and its curriculum. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Department - Travel, Food and Drink in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the Travel, Food and Drink sectors shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission to deliver outstanding education and student outcomes.
Be Data-Driven:Highlight your experience with data and KPIs in your application. We love candidates who can demonstrate how they've used data to drive performance and make informed decisions in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to tailor your application to reflect your relevant experience in leading teams within FE or related sectors. We’re looking for someone who can bring strong industry knowledge and a track record of improving quality.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Leeds City College.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leeds City College
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the Travel, Food & Drink curriculum. Familiarise yourself with current industry standards and trends, as well as how your vision aligns with the college's goals. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also someone who understands the nuances of the field.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare to discuss your experience with income generation and employer engagement. Bring examples of successful strategies you've implemented in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to create a clear commercial strategy for the department, which is crucial for this role.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to talk about how you’ve used data and KPIs to drive performance improvements. Think of specific instances where you identified gaps and implemented changes that led to better student outcomes. This will highlight your analytical skills and commitment to excellence.
✨Inspire and Motivate
As a leader, it’s essential to convey your passion for developing staff and creating a culture of accountability. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate how you’ve motivated teams in the past and fostered an environment of growth and learning. This will resonate well with the interviewers looking for an inspiring leader.
