Apprenticeship & Training Compliance Officer in Thatcham

Thatcham Research is looking for an Academy Compliance Officer to play a pivotal role in ensuring our apprenticeship and adult education provision meets the highest standards of compliance, quality and learner welfare. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced compliance or quality professional within Education, who enjoys working at the intersection of regulation, data, safeguarding and continuous improvement – and who wants their work to genuinely make a difference.

As the Academy’s subject matter expert for compliance, you’ll ensure we always remain inspection‑ready, including for Ofsted, while supporting high‑quality outcomes for learners and employers. You’ll work closely with curriculum, operational and pastoral teams to embed robust compliance frameworks, lead quality assurance activity, and produce insightful data and reporting to support decision‑making at senior and board level. Once settled in your new role, you’ll also provide deputy cover for the Academy Compliance & Performance Manager, helping to maintain business continuity when needed.

• Ensuring ongoing compliance with statutory, regulatory and inspection requirements, including Ofsted.
• Maintaining continuous inspection readiness in line with the Education Inspection Framework.
• Overseeing internal audits, assurance activity and risk‑based compliance checks.
• Leading preparation of Self‑Assessment Reports (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plans (QIP).
• Confidently challenging non‑compliance and escalating risks where required.
• Monitoring safeguarding and learner welfare arrangements, trends and assurance activity.
• Producing accurate, inspection‑ready compliance dashboards and Academy performance reports for both adult and apprentice provision.
• Interpreting data on learner engagement, attendance, progression and welfare.
• Maintaining policies, compliance trackers and risk registers.
• Monitoring staff compliance with mandatory training and safeguarding requirements.

• You’ll be a confident, detail‑driven professional who is comfortable working independently and exercising sound judgement in complex or high‑risk scenarios.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, learner welfare and education compliance requirements.
• Experience in a quality assurance, compliance or inspection‑readiness role within education or training.
• A track record of working with regulatory frameworks such as Ofsted.
• Good literacy and numeracy skills, evidenced through the production of formal reports, analysis and regulatory documentation.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to identify risk, trends and improvement opportunities.
• Advanced written communication skills, including formal reports and senior‑level summaries.
• High levels of professionalism, discretion and integrity when handling sensitive information.

(This role requires an Enhanced DBS check to be carried out on appointment)

• Be part of a respected organisation influencing vehicle safety standards.
• Work on exciting projects with leading automotive brands.
• Enjoy a collaborative, forward‑thinking work environment.
• Access to ongoing training and professional development to expand knowledge in specialist areas.

• Salary – £43,000, dependent on skills & experience.
• 10% non‑contributory pension.
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) plus public holidays.
• Group Life Assurance equal to 3 x basic salary.
• Group Income Protection after 2 years’ service.
• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme).
• Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform.
• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments).
• Reward & Recognition Programme.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Sports & Social club.
• Payroll charitable giving.
• Subsidised on‑site restaurant.
• Free on‑site parking.

Standard working hours are 8:30 – 16:30 Monday – Thursday, early finish on Friday 8:30 – 15:45. Flexible working arrangements can be discussed.

Hybrid model – expected to work from our office in Thatcham at least two days per week. Travel within Europe up to 10% may be required. All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.