Assistant Director of Further Education and Colleges

Full Job Description

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit* 

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Further Education and Colleges                             

LOCATION: Hybrid & Manchester Group Head Office               

SALARY:     £90,000 per annum (not pro rata)

HOURS:      37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Regional Director        

1st  STAGE INTERVIEW DATE: May 13, 2025

2nd STAGE ONTERVIEW DATE: May 16, 2025

START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2025 OR SOONER

UK Applicants Only - Sponsorship Not Provided   

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Assistant Director of Further Education and Colleges is accountable for a portfolio of colleges within the division. The role is charged with ensuring that these deliver all elements of performance as specified in the individual college development plan, budget and group-wide expectations. The role includes the maintenance and improvement of quality, staff retention and well- being, financial performance, sustainability, and growth

The job holder will be the lead for all colleges in the division (currently 3), with ultimate Safeguarding responsibility as a priority. The Assistant Director will work collaboratively with the other Assistant Directors as a key part of the Options Autism senior leadership team, positively driving all aspects of growth and working practice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

To lead, line manage and hold accountable college leaders within the portfolio and work with them and their management teams to produce and deliver the overall college plans, covering: progress and achievement, occupancy, health and safety, regulatory compliance, cost management, growth, staff engagement and development, profit and growth. The individual college plans will fit within the overall Options division strategy.

ACCOUNTABILTIES:

• Provision of strong leadership, based on a clear vision, direction of development and the outcomes to be achieved.
• Lead weekly cluster calls with all direct reports to share and promote key group information.
• Conduct site visits to both support and challenge the operational teams.
• Complete and document performance management meetings with all direct reports
• Monitor and report on performance across the college portfolio.
• Provide overall education leadership in key areas of delivery, and undertake cross divisional projects/support, as agreed with the Managing Director.
• Lead and undertake growth projects to further strengthen the position of the division and overall group.

DELIVERY OF COLLEGE PERFORMANCE AS DEFINED BY:

• Student progress & achievement (academic and other measures)
• Internal quality standards and external stakeholder judgement
• Welfare, health and safety of students
• Curriculum effectiveness
• Occupancy
• Financial targets
• Growth /expansion targets
• Monitor performance of the colleges using the full range of management information available as well as qualitative evaluations of performance. Implement improvement or recovery actions as required.
• Champion the best possible outcomes for all in our colleges.
• Ensure colleges remain compliant in all areas at all times.
• Ensure best practice is transferred between college settings.
• Use internal quality assessment outcomes and other assessments of quality (e.g. LA feedback, SEF and external inspections etc) to inform the college improvement journey.
• Support colleges in preparation for external inspection.
• Build key relationships with
  • Internal colleagues within the division and wider group to further the improvement of the service and wider group.
  • External regulatory bodies.
  • Key commissioning relationships, liaising on a regular basis with the relevant Local Authorities to build and maintain a positive working relationship.
• Ensure (through the management structure and with support from HR colleagues), that the staff group working within the portfolio are appropriately trained, compliant to legal regulations, and are well supported to carry out their roles.
• Act as a College Governor (and Chair of Governors) within the portfolio, ensuring that governance reports are completed to a high standard by college leaders.
• Chair termly governance meetings as per the governance cycle calendar.
• Be an excellent advocate for Options and the wider Outcomes First Group, promoting a positive image to maintain the excellent reputation we have.
• Undertake any such other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your level of responsibility within the organization.
   

ESSENTIAL

• Strategic thinker, ideally Further Education management background.
• Experience in overseeing transformational and growth projects.
• Strong leadership style with ability to manage and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Collaborative approach, proactive, problem solver and outcome focused.
• Financially literate with the ability to manage budgets.
• Experience of managing risks and controls and overseeing effective governance.
• Confidence to ‘stand tall’, challenge thinking where appropriate, and to facilitate discussions and build consensus.
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently under pressure.
• Full UK Driving Licence

DESIRABLE

• A professional (with relevant professional qualifications) who has experience of leading multi-sites.
• Experience of leading an independent specialist college.

SKILLS

• Ability to combine support and challenge of direct reports
• Ability to mentor staff reporting into this role
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills
• Demonstrable commercial awareness
• Demonstrable financial awareness
• Excellent communication skills, particularly with regard to communicating at a senior level both within and outside of the organisation
• Strong team working skills
• High-level leadership and motivational skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Results driven

Why join Outcomes First Group?

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.

Our Vision

Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world.

Our Mission

We commit to unlocking our pupils’ potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.

Our Promise

We Listen.

We never assume.

We work together.

To make the remarkable happen.

We are accountable.

To each other and for one another.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.