Head Of Quality And Compliance

Head of Quality & Compliance
📍 Remote with occasional Northern England travel & monthly SLT sessions
💰 £55,000 – £65,000 + 25 days + bank holidays, birthday off, 3 wellbeing days, and additional Christmas shutdown

A Role for Proven Quality Leaders
We are working with a progressive and ambitious training provider entering a critical stage of growth and transformation.
This is a senior, high-impact appointment for an individual who has successfully operated in Ofsted-facing environments and understands what “good” and “outstanding” truly look like in practice.
You will take full ownership of quality and compliance across a diverse provision, with a particular focus on scaling apprenticeships (AI-focused) while maintaining strong standards across adult skills delivery.
Reporting directly to the CEO, this role offers genuine autonomy and influence to set, embed, and lead a quality culture that is inspection-ready, data-driven, and outcome-focused.

Why This Role Stands Out
• Full ownership of Quality & Compliance – not a legacy function
• Direct reporting line to the CEO with strategic influence
• Opportunity to make the role your own and establish your footprint
• Environment shifting towards a high-trust, high-performance delivery culture
• Real scope to shape systems, people, and standards in a growing organisation

The Role
You will lead the organisation’s quality and compliance function as a single, aligned discipline, ensuring delivery is both high quality and fully compliant at all times.

Quality Leadership
• Own and drive the quality strategy across all divisions
• Lead the production, accuracy, and impact of the SAR and QIP
• Ensure clear evidence of intent, implementation, and impact across provision
• Analyse performance data (QAR, retention, achievement, progression) and drive improvement actions
• Lead OTLA, standardisation, and quality assurance frameworks
• Develop high-performing delivery teams through CPD and coaching
• Ensure curriculum quality aligns with employer needs and apprenticeship standards

Compliance & Ofsted Readiness
• Maintain full oversight of Skills England funding compliance and ILR accuracy
• Ensure all learner activity is audit-ready, evidenced, and compliant
• Lead ongoing Ofsted readiness, ensuring teams are confident and inspection-prepared at all times
• Manage funding risk and maintain a clear compliance risk register
• Maintain strong relationships with regulators, awarding bodies, and EPAOs
• Embed safeguarding, Prevent, and British Values as standard practice

Data & MIS Oversight
• Lead and develop MIS and data functions (Head of Data & Lead IQA reporting line)
• Use data effectively to identify trends, risks, and performance gaps
• Ensure reporting is robust, timely, and supports strategic decision-making
• Maintain clear audit trails across all provision

Leadership & Culture
• Build and shape the Quality & Compliance function from the ground up
• Act as a trusted partner to delivery teams – enabling quality, not policing it
• Embed a culture of accountability, autonomy, and continuous improvement
• Contribute at SLT level, influencing business strategy and growth plans

What We’re Looking For
Essential Experience
• Senior experience in quality and compliance leadership within apprenticeships and ASF training programmes
• Strong track record of operating in Ofsted-inspected environments (Grade 1/2 desirable)
• Deep knowledge of DfE funding rules, ILR compliance, and audit requirements
• Experience leading or significantly contributing to SAR, QIP, and inspection readiness
• Proven ability to improve QAR, retention, and learner outcomes

Desirable
• Experience within a scaling or SME training provider
• Background in apprenticeship growth or new provision
• Familiarity with systems such as Magn8 or Talent LMS
• Teaching, assessing, or IQA qualifications
• Exposure to digital, AI, or future-skills programmes

Key Attributes
• High-level accountability and ownership mindset
• Strong analytical capability – comfortable working with and challenging data
• Confident communicator able to influence at SLT and delivery level
• Credible with Ofsted, ESFA, and external stakeholders
• Strategic thinker who can translate quality into practical, scalable systems
• Leader who drives standards through trust, clarity, and consistency

What’s on Offer
• Opportunity to lead a key function during organisational transformation
• Direct impact on quality outcomes and Ofsted readiness
• Remote-first, flexible working environment
• Salary up to £65,000 + bonus (flexible for high-calibre candidates)
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• 3 wellbeing days + birthday off
• Christmas shutdown (not taken from leave)
• Healthcare and wellbeing support

Who This Role Will Suit
This role will suit someone who:
• Has worked in inspected provision and understands what is required to achieve “Good” or “Outstanding”
• Enjoys building systems rather than inheriting them
• Wants to operate with autonomy and influence at senior level
• Is confident balancing quality, compliance, and commercial growth
Additional Information
Remote-first role with regular collaboration sessions (1–2 per month).
All roles are subject to DBS checks in line with safer recruitment practices.

For more information on this opportunity please contact Simon Atkins on 07894 752230