Head of Department- Engineering & Motor Vehicle
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Your Role
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Lakes College is a technical vocational Further Education College delivering education and training to full-time and part-time learners and apprentices to degree level. We have a vibrant campus in West Cumbria with state of the art vocational workshops and resources, including the National College for Nuclear Northern Hub.
Our mission and purpose are to:
' Enable people to recognise and develop their potential' .
We are a people business and our mission applies as equally to our staff team as to our learners and employers'. We are a Good college and have ambition to be Outstanding by together developing our culture, standards and expectations. We encourage innovation, collaboration and reflection to lead to new ideas and methods. We gather, evaluate and use data to drive operational improvement.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Lakes College West Cumbria is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Head of Department to lead the development, quality and growth of our Engineering & Motor Vehicle skills provision. This is a senior role with significant influence, combining curriculum leadership, quality management, partnership working and teaching.
You will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality learning experiences that meet local, regional and national priorities-particularly supporting the engineering and motor vehicle industry-while driving innovation, performance and continuous improvement across Further and Higher Education.
Reporting to the Assistant Principal, you will lead on operational strategy, curriculum development and quality assurance for externally delivered and partnership provision, ensuring outstanding outcomes for learners, employers and partners.
Key elements of the role include:
Curriculum & Quality Leadership
• Lead and implement quality management systems to deliver high retention, achievement and success rates.
• Develop innovative curriculum aligned to local and regional priorities and nuclear industry needs.
• Monitor provision performance against business plans, KPIs, self-assessment and quality improvement plans.
• Lead curriculum validation, accreditation and approval with HEIs and awarding bodies.
• Undertake teaching, assessment and learning observations to drive teaching excellence.
Strategic & Operational Management
• Deliver operational plans aligned to the College's strategic and business plans.
• Work collaboratively with senior leaders, Directors, curriculum teams, marketing and admissions to achieve growth targets.
• Lead, motivate and line manage staff, ensuring effective deployment, timetabling and staff development.
• Ensure compliance with data, MIS, audit, funding and awarding body requirements.
Partnerships & Industry Engagement
• Develop and sustain strong relationships with employers, HEIs, awarding bodies and strategic partners.
• Support and grow external and partnership delivery across FE and HE.
• Represent the College at operational and strategic partnership meetings.
Teaching & Professional Contribution
• Contribute directly to teaching, learning and assessment within nuclear and externally delivered provision.
• Maintain up-to-date industry knowledge and educational best practice.
• Support the College's wider mission, values, sustainability goals and cross-college initiatives.
You will hold a recognised teaching qualification (such as CertEd, PGCE or equivalent) alongside a minimum Level 3 vocational or professional qualification. You will have up-to-date literacy and numeracy skills to at least Level 2 and be committed to continuing professional development. Applicants must bring recent and substantial experience of teaching, training and instructing within the engineering or motor vehicle industry, with a strong track record of good or outstanding teaching and learning observation outcomes.
It would be advantageous if you hold a recognised higher-level management qualification such as ILM or CMI, or relevant professional membership. Experience of managing staff, projects and budgets within an FE or HE environment would be welcomed, as would previous involvement in teaching and learning observation cycles and quality improvement processes. We would also value experience of successful course and programme management, including curriculum innovation, validation and external scrutiny, as well as a working knowledge of FE and HE funding systems.
**If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered. **
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU!
• Generous annual leave - 40 days plus 8 days bank holiday plus 2 discretionary days
• Automatic entry into the Teachers pensions Scheme.
• A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn.
• Excellent CPD opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching.
• Free onsite parking.
• Subsidised onsite restaurant.
• A cycle scheme tech scheme and discounted gym membership.
• Fantastic facilities to resource our ability to teach our students.
Application Requirements
To ensure compliance with safeguarding guidelines, all applicants must complete the application form in full. This includes providing:
- A full employment history from the time you left full-time education, with details of any gaps in employment explained.
- Information on all relevant education and qualifications.
Please note, incomplete applications will not be considered. Your co-operation helps us maintain the highest standards of safety and care for children and young people.
Qualifications
Level 3 or equivalent vocational professional qualification essential
Hold a recognised teaching qualification essential
Minimum Level 2 literacy & numeracy qualifications & be willing to update skills essential
Hold or be willing to work towards a Leadership/Management related qualification essential
Relevant Professional Membership desirable
Accredited higher level management qualification e.g. ILM, CMI is desirable. desirable
Skills
Experience
Recent and relevant industry experience in sector essential
Recent relevant teaching experience with good or outstanding observation grades essential
Demonstrable in-depth knowledge of subject area essential
Experience in post 16 education / training including curriculum design, delivery, assessment and evaluation essential
Knowledge of and proven ability to deliver the curriculum successfully essential
Demonstrate a student-centred approach to teaching and learning essential
Involvement in implement and monitoring of college policy essential
Experience of course management essential
Management of staff & projects
Experience of FE funding systems
Involvement in seeking out new funding initiatives
Developing new courses to meet employer needs