Quality Manager (Apprenticeship Services) in Manchester

Location: Manchester

We're looking for an experienced Quality Manager to lead quality assurance and continuous improvement across our apprenticeship provision. This is a key role with responsibility for driving learner success, enhancing the quality of teaching and delivery, and ensuring the organisation remains fully compliant with Ofsted and apprenticeship quality standards.

Acting as the lead for self-assessment, quality improvement, safeguarding, inclusion and careers guidance, you'll work closely with programme, coaching, compliance and data teams to deliver outstanding learner experiences, strong employer satisfaction and a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead quality assurance and continuous improvement across apprenticeship programmes, ensuring high standards in teaching, learning, assessment and learner outcomes.
• Manage the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), using observations, quality reviews, data analysis and standardisation activities to drive measurable improvements.
• Monitor learner progress, achievement, retention and satisfaction, working closely with Programme Leads and Skills Coaches to enhance performance and support positive outcomes.
• Gather, analyse and act on learner, employer and partner feedback, resolving concerns and identifying opportunities to improve the overall apprenticeship experience.
• Act as the lead for safeguarding, Prevent, inclusion, equality, diversity and learner wellbeing, ensuring effective policies, practices and staff development are in place.
• Support and develop coaching excellence through observations, feedback, best practice sharing, CPD activities and the promotion of consistent standards across delivery.
• Lead quality governance activities, producing reports and recommendations for senior leaders and coordinating quality review meetings.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with ESFA, Ofsted and awarding body requirements, maintaining robust quality processes, oversight of partner provision and inspection readiness.

You’ll take ownership of the organisation's quality framework, including the Self-Assessment Report (SAR), Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), quality assurance activities, safeguarding and inclusion strategies, stakeholder feedback processes, subcontractor quality reviews and Ofsted inspection readiness, driving continuous improvement across apprenticeship provision.

What Success Looks Like:

In this role, success will be demonstrated through strong learner achievement, progression and satisfaction outcomes, alongside high levels of employer engagement and feedback. You’ll deliver an effective SAR and QIP cycle, maintain robust quality assurance, safeguarding and compliance standards, and ensure the organisation remains inspection-ready at all times. Success will also be reflected in positive audit outcomes and continuous improvement across key quality and performance measures.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in a quality assurance, quality improvement or quality management role within apprenticeships, further education or work-based learning.
• Strong understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework, apprenticeship standards, gateway requirements and End-Point Assessment (EPA) processes.
• Experience leading quality assurance and improvement activities, including SAR, QIP, observations, audits, sampling and quality reviews.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity and inclusion requirements within an education or training environment.
• Excellent analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to work collaboratively across delivery, operational and leadership teams.
• Experience using learner management systems and quality reporting tools.
• Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) qualification or equivalent.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) qualification or experience leading safeguarding activity.
• Experience supporting or preparing for Ofsted inspections.
• Experience overseeing subcontracted or partner-delivered provision.
• Teaching, assessing or coaching qualification.

What can we offer?

• Performance-Based Bonus: Enjoy an annual bonus linked to the company's performance.
• Flexible Working Hours: Achieve a healthy work-life balance with our flexible working arrangements.
• Pension Plan: Secure your future with our generous pension scheme, with employer contributions up to 10%.
• Time Off: Recharge and rejuvenate with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), and the option to buy or sell an additional 5 days!

We are fully committed to providing equal opportunities and building an inclusive workplace where a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives thrive. We embrace the many ways people think, learn, and experience the world—because we know that diverse minds drive innovation. So that we can support you to be your best during the application and interview process, please let us know if you have any specific requirements.