Head of Department - Quality

We have a great opportunity at our City Campus Manchester to join our Creative Industries and Quality team as Head of Department for Quality on a permanent, full time (35 hours) basis. As a Head of Department Quality, you will lead activity designed to continually improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment to the highest standards possible and the outcomes achieved by students, with a particular focus on the degree of progress our students make from their starting points when they join the College.

You will be part of the departmental management team for your business area, line managed by the Assistant Principal of Creative Industries. This role is uniquely different to Departmental Head of Department roles in that you will be part of the management structure for your own business area but at the same time, as a member of the Quality Team, your work and priorities will also be directed by the Vice-Principal for Quality.

The Creative Industries is an exciting and dynamic business area with departments in Media, Music, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. We deliver Pearson and UAL qualifications to 16-18 year olds across Levels 1 – 3 in addition to a small and established Adult provision. We are proud to deliver an inclusive creative education curriculum that helps individuals and communities to thrive. Creative education can help to shape the worlds we live in and imagine for ourselves and improve the lives of people and places.

Our approach to teaching is founded on skills and knowledge as well as experiential learning through curiosity, collaboration, responsibility, sustainability, hard work and play. Our high-profile partnerships with Greater Manchester’s Creative Industries stakeholders offer our students exceptional opportunities to learn, work and network in exciting venues such as Band on The Wall, Manchester Art Gallery, BBC and the Royal Exchange Theatre.

We are looking for an experienced, quality-focused colleague to work as Head of Department, Quality with our Assistant Principal, Heads of Department and specialist teachers to achieve ambitious qualitative and quantitative targets. This is a particularly exciting time for Creative Industries as we set out our strategic 5-year plan incorporating challenging curriculum reform.

Please see Job profile line for an overview of general role responsibilities.

• 35 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• 3 well-being days per year.
• Significant pension contribution.
• Retail discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cycle to work scheme.

To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Recognised teaching qualification.
• Degree level qualification or relevant professional qualification(s) and/or appropriate level and range of relevant industrial experience.
• Numeracy and literacy skills (to level 2 or equivalent).
• Qualified to deliver curriculum, internally verify, and moderate qualifications awards.
• Reliable, practical understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment strategies and of local, regional, and national skills and training needs.
• Have a thorough understanding of quality assurance systems used in the learning and skills sector, including a strong understanding of the Education Inspection Framework.
• Have a strong appreciation of FE funding requirements and methodologies and current issues affecting the Further Education sector.

The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.

At The Manchester College, we’re committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation, where all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. The Manchester College is committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities where we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and student community that reflects Greater Manchester’s and the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.

The closing date for this job advert is 04th February 2026 at 12 noon. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response! Assessment Day / Interviews will be held on 11th February 2026, if successful in your application you will need to ensure you are available for the whole day.