At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop transformative education in a prison setting, driving quality and innovation.
- Company: Join a mission-driven organisation focused on rehabilitation and positive life change.
- Benefits: Ongoing professional development, leadership opportunities, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values integrity, accountability, and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping education strategy and supporting learners' reintegration into society.
- Qualifications: Degree, teaching qualification, and strong leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Lead education that changes lives. We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Education Manager to lead and develop education provision within a prison setting. This is a senior leadership role where you will drive quality, performance, and innovation, helping learners gain the skills, confidence, and qualifications needed for successful reintegration into society. You will play a critical role in shaping education strategy, improving outcomes, and leading a high-performing team focused on rehabilitation and employability.
What you’ll be doing
- Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver the prison's education strategy aligned to organisational and government priorities.
- Promote a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure provision supports rehabilitation, employability, and personal development.
- Lead curriculum planning to meet diverse learner needs.
- Operational Management
- Oversee the day-to-day delivery of all education programmes.
- Ensure effective staffing, timetables, and resource allocation.
- Monitor performance against KPIs, contractual targets, and quality standards.
- Manage budgets to maximise impact and value.
- Quality Assurance & Improvement
- Implement robust quality assurance systems.
- Monitor teaching, learning, and assessment through observations and audits.
- Analyse learner data (achievement, attendance, progression) to drive improvement.
- Lead self-assessment and quality improvement planning.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, motivate, and develop education staff to achieve high performance.
- Deliver performance reviews, supervision, and CPD support.
- Promote a positive, inclusive culture and staff wellbeing.
- Support talent development and succession planning.
- Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships with prison leadership, partners, employers, and awarding bodies.
- Represent education services at meetings, inspections, and external reviews.
- Work collaboratively to support learner engagement and progression.
- Safeguarding, Compliance & Outcomes
- Ensure full compliance with security, safeguarding, and regulatory requirements.
- Lead preparation for inspections, audits, and reviews.
- Drive improvements in learner participation, achievement, and progression.
- Promote education that reduces reoffending and supports long-term outcomes.
What we’re looking for
- Essential
- Degree and/or relevant professional qualification.
- Teaching qualification (Level 5+ or equivalent, e.g. QTLS).
- Internal Quality Assurance qualification (or willingness to achieve).
- Strong leadership and people management experience.
- Proven experience in curriculum development and quality improvement.
- Experience managing performance and leading teams to achieve results.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Knowledge of OFSTED EIF framework and quality standards.
- Strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, and compliance.
- Desirable
- Experience working in prison, adult education, or with disadvantaged groups.
- Knowledge of current education and training initiatives.
Why join us?
- Lead a service that directly supports rehabilitation and positive life change.
- Shape strategy and influence education at a senior level.
- Work as part of a collaborative leadership team.
- Access ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.
Our values
- Customer First - improving lives through education.
- True North - acting with integrity.
- Own It - taking accountability.
- Improve to be the best - striving for excellence.
- Think big and take risks - driving innovation.
- Deliver Results - achieving high standards and outcomes.
If you’re a driven education leader with a passion for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Higher Education Manager employer: PeoplePlus
Join us as an Education Manager in a transformative role where your leadership will directly impact the lives of learners within a prison setting. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, collaboration, and innovation, ensuring you have the resources to drive quality education and rehabilitation. With a focus on continuous improvement and a commitment to safeguarding and equality, this position not only allows you to shape educational strategies but also fosters personal growth and meaningful change in society.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Higher Education Manager
✨Connect with Local Educational Institutions
Get involved with universities and colleges in your area, especially those that offer adult continuing education programmes. Attend open days or even guest lectures to network with faculty members and find out about potential job openings before they even get advertised.
✨Leverage Professional Education Networks
Join professional networks focused on adult education, such as the Adult Learning Australia or the International Society for Technology in Education. These communities often have job boards or can point you towards opportunities at places like PeoplePlus just waiting for the right candidate!
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
In your interviews, share your own experiences and thoughts on lifelong learning. Highlight any courses or workshops you've taken recently to demonstrate your commitment to personal development and the importance of education. This is a big plus for roles in this field!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out our careers page at PeoplePlus. Applying directly through our website not only makes your application stand out but also shows you're genuinely interested in joining us. We love seeing candidates who take that extra step.
We think you need these skills to ace Higher Education Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience in Education:When crafting your CV for the Higher Education Manager role, make sure to emphasise any relevant experience in adult or continuing education. This could be teaching credentials, training sessions you've facilitated, or programmes you’ve developed. The more specific you can be about your contributions and outcomes, the better!
Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills:In the adult continuing education sector, strong communication and interpersonal skills are key. Use your cover letter to share specific examples of how you’ve worked with diverse groups or handled different learning styles. Let us see how you've engaged learners—you’re selling your teaching style here!
Connect Your Passion to Our Mission:At PeoplePlus, we value candidates who resonate with our mission to empower lifelong learners. Make sure your cover letter reflects your passion for adult education and your alignment with our goals. A genuine connection can really make your application stand out!
Keep it Professional Yet Personable:While it’s important to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who can connect with our learners, so a friendly, approachable tone can help convey that vibe in your written materials. Apply through our website and let us see the real you!
How to prepare for a job interview at PeoplePlus
✨Showcase Your Passion for Lifelong Learning
When interviewing for a role in adult continuing education at PeoplePlus, it's super important to highlight your passion for lifelong learning. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to education and how you've fostered a love for learning in others – this is something hiring managers love to see!
✨Prepare for Adult Education Methodologies
Be ready to dive into your knowledge of andragogy and educational theories during the interview. Expect questions about how you would adapt your teaching styles for adult learners – think about specific strategies you’ve used in the past and be prepared to discuss how they positively impacted your students.
✨Discuss Your Experience with Diverse Learners
At PeoplePlus, you’ll likely encounter a diverse range of adult learners, so don’t shy away from discussing your experience with different demographics. Be prepared to share your successes in engaging learners from varied backgrounds, and how your approach has adapted to meet their unique needs.
✨Demonstrate Your Ability to Collaborate
Given that this is a full-time role, teamwork will be essential. Be ready to talk about your experiences working in collaborative settings, whether it be with fellow educators, administrators, or community partners. Highlight specific projects where your collaborative efforts contributed to successful educational outcomes.
