Head of Department: Construction Industries in Ashington

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational management of the Construction and housing curriculum, ensuring high-quality teaching, learning, and outcomes across all programmes.
• Drive the development and delivery of innovative, future‑focused curriculum aligned with regional economic needs and emerging trends in construction and the built environment.
• Lead on the transformation of workshops and technical spaces into sector‑leading environments that reflect best industrial practice and support outstanding learner experiences.
• Play a pivotal role in the North East Construction Technical Excellence College for Construction, ensuring collaboration, innovation, and excellence across regional technical education.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with employers, industry bodies, and stakeholders to embed real‑world skills, experiences, and progression opportunities into the curriculum.
• Inspire and manage a high‑performing team, embedding a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and shared accountability for student success.

Qualifications

• A recognised teaching qualification (e.g. PGCE, Cert Ed, or equivalent).
• Degree or equivalent qualification in a construction‑related discipline (e.g. Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Building Services, etc.).
• Leadership or management qualification (or willingness to work towards one), such as ILM Level 5+ or similar.
• Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD) relevant to teaching, learning, and construction industry developments.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven leadership experience in managing teams, ideally in construction or technical education.
• Strong knowledge of the construction industry, including emerging technologies, modern methods of construction, and employer expectations.
• Track record of driving quality improvement in teaching, learning, and assessment, with evidence of raising student achievement and retention.
• Experience of managing resources effectively, including staff deployment, budgets, and workshop environments to sector‑leading standards.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, industry bodies, and external stakeholders to enhance curriculum relevance.
• Excellent communication, people management, and performance management skills, with a commitment to professional development and staff wellbeing.

About Northumberland College

Northumberland College is Ofsted Outstanding and is currently building a multi‑million, state‑of‑the‑art, new college campus in Ashington, due to open in 2026. The successful candidate will be based at the new college where a purpose‑built construction, housing, advanced manufacturing and engineering centre will be located. Curriculum spans technical, vocational further and higher education and includes large apprenticeship provision and dedicated centres for young people with SEND. The College has two main campuses in Ashington, and Ponteland, and as part of the college group Education Partnership Northeast, it also has a significant number of satellite delivery centres across the region. Served by easy road links, and the new train station in Ashington, when Northumberland College opens its new Department for Education backed campus at Wansbeck Business Park, the college will boast a national trailblazer both in architectural design and operation. This major £52 million+ investment comes on top of the College recently driving £14 million into new facilities and resources at its existing sites. This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the most ambitious and forward‑thinking departments at Northumberland College. As our new Head of Construction Industries, based at our Ashington campus, you'll play a central role in shaping the future of construction education and skills across the region. You'll drive excellence through inspirational leadership, guiding a dedicated team to deliver innovative, industry‑focused programmes that equip learners with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a modern, evolving sector. You'll also play a leading role in the North East Construction Technical Excellence College, helping to raise standards in technical education, skills development, and employer collaboration across the region. With a clear focus on innovation and authenticity, you'll transform our workshops and learning environments into sector‑leading spaces that mirror real industry practice, while building strong partnerships with employers to ensure our curriculum remains cutting‑edge and future‑ready. It is more than a management role, it’s an opportunity to inspire excellence, shape the next generation of construction professionals, and make a lasting impact on learners, staff, and the regional economy. If you are a values‑driven leader who embodies Courage, Respect, Authenticity, and Excellence, we'd love to hear from you.