Managing Director in Southampton

Location: SETA, First Avenue, Millbrook, Southampton, SO15 0LJ

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent (37.5 hours per week)

Working Hours: Monday–Thursday 08:00–16:15 | Friday 08:00–15:05

Salary: Generous benefits package and salary commensurate with experience

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus UK bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Company Sick Pay
• Onsite Parking
• Supportive and inclusive working environment

Personal Rewards: Beyond the day-to-day responsibilities, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference to young people's lives. You will play a key part in helping learners build confidence, develop valuable skills, and achieve their ambitions, while supporting the development of the nation's future technicians and engineers.

About Us: Southampton Engineering Training Association Ltd (SETA) is a well-established independent training provider delivering high-quality technical training in engineering. We work closely with employers to develop skilled apprentices and support workforce development. Our organisation is fast-paced and forward-thinking, offering a collaborative and inclusive culture where your expertise will make a direct impact. We are a charitable organisation with a rich history, a strong supportive ‘family culture’ and a passion for training and continuous improvement. We believe everyone can make a difference, we value opinions, we embrace new ideas and take a collaborative and proactive approach to training.

About You: Significant senior leadership experience, ideally within education, training or a related sector, although applications are equally welcomed from leaders in industry who have experience managing complex, multi-faceted operations. Candidates should be able to demonstrate strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and a track record of delivering organisational performance and growth.

The Role: As Managing Director, you will provide strategic leadership and overall direction for the organisation, ensuring the delivery of high-quality education and training programmes that improve skills, create employment opportunities, support social mobility, and contribute to economic prosperity. Reporting to the Board, you will lead the organisation in achieving its strategic objectives, driving sustainable growth, financial performance, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance. You will foster a high-performing and inclusive culture that enables colleagues to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners, employers, and communities. As the key link between the Board and the organisation, you will safeguard the organisation's reputation, ensure effective governance and risk management, and champion its charitable mission and social purpose. This is a unique opportunity to lead an organisation that makes a tangible difference to people's lives while shaping its future direction and impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and deliver the organisation's strategy and growth plans. Drive innovation, continuous improvement and organisational excellence. Ensure provision meets learner, employer and labour market needs.
• Education and Training Performance: Ensure high-quality education and training that delivers strong learner outcomes. Monitor performance against funding, contractual and quality targets. Maintain readiness for inspections, audits and reviews.
• Financial Sustainability: Lead financial planning and long-term sustainability. Secure funding, contracts and new income opportunities. Ensure effective use of resources and value for money.
• Governance and Compliance: Support the Board in delivering effective governance and strategic oversight. Ensure compliance with all regulatory, funding and quality requirements. Maintain robust risk management and reporting arrangements.
• People and Culture: Lead a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture. Support staff development, engagement and wellbeing. Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation.
• Stakeholder and Partnership Management: Act as the organisation's ambassador and public representative. Build strategic partnerships with key stakeholders and funding bodies. Enhance the organisation's profile, influence and impact.
• Learner Impact and Social Value: Ensure activities align with the organisation's mission and charitable objectives. Promote social mobility, employability and lifelong learning. Champion opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

Candidate Requirements:

• Essential: Proven senior leadership experience, ideally within education, training, skills, employability or a related sector. Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering organisational strategy. Strong financial and commercial management skills, including budget accountability. Experience of working with Boards, governance structures and senior stakeholders. Knowledge of regulatory, funding and quality requirements within education and training. Track record of leading high-performing teams and driving organisational improvement. Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills. Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and social impact.
• Desirable: Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience. Leadership or management qualification. Experience of working within a charitable, not-for-profit or social enterprise environment. Knowledge of apprenticeship, adult skills and employability funding streams. Experience of managing inspections, audits or external quality reviews. Established networks across the education, skills or employment sectors.

Please Note: Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Police Act 1997.

Join Us: We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you’re passionate about engineering and enthusiastic about developing others, we’d be delighted to hear from you. We believe there are several key reasons to join our team. As a trusted provider with over 50 years of experience, we have a strong foundation and a clear vision for continued growth. We’ve created a welcoming and sociable work environment where friendly colleagues take pride in working together. Most importantly, we are passionate about investing in our people, supporting your development, and helping you reach your full potential. Together, we will build success.

Closing Date: 17 August 2026