This role is for a senior specialist with a minimum of 8 years’ experience in leading apprenticeship provision. Applicants without direct ESFA funding, ILR, Ofsted, and APAR experience will not be considered.
Job Description
Location: Office based with some homeworking – West Midlands (Main office in Walsall)
Reports To: Managing and Operations Director
Salary: Starting at £50K + Performance-linked pay rise of 10% per annum (Years 1–2, subject to meeting apprenticeship growth targets)
About LEAD Training
Local Education and Development (LEAD) is a leading UK training provider delivering high-impact digital skills programmes including Software Development, Data Analytics, AI, and Digital Marketing. We are now expanding into Apprenticeship delivery, building on our proven success with Skills Bootcamps and Adult Education programmes across the UK.
We are seeking an experienced Apprenticeship Manager to design, develop, and implement our end-to-end apprenticeship delivery model, from registration on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR) to Ofsted-compliant, high-quality provision in the digital sector.
Role Purpose
The Apprenticeship Manager will lead on the full lifecycle of apprenticeship implementation, strategic planning, business development, curriculum design, quality assurance, compliance, and operational delivery. You will play a critical role in establishing LEAD as a nationally recognised apprenticeship provider.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the full end-to-end design, development, and implementation of apprenticeship provision.
- Drive LEAD’s successful application and compliance with the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR).
- Develop and deliver the apprenticeship growth plan (Minimum: Year 1: 30 starts, Year 2: 100 starts etc).
- Engage with LEAD’s senior directors and Governance team to contribute to strategic planning, compliance oversight, and board-level reporting, ensuring that apprenticeship provision supports the organisation’s wider mission, meets regulatory requirements, and drives continuous improvement across all areas of delivery.
Curriculum & Quality Management
- Design and oversee curriculum frameworks, schemes of work, and teaching, learning and assessment strategies that meet Ofsted’s New Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and ESFA funding rules.
- Establish robust quality management systems, including self-assessment, internal audits, and learner/employer feedback loops.
- Ensure alignment with digital apprenticeship standards (e.g. Software Development, Data Analytics and Analysis, Cyber Security, Digital Marketing management, AI).
Business Development
- Identify and engage with employers, levy-payers, and SMEs to secure apprenticeship opportunities.
- Develop strong employer partnerships and manage the Apprenticeship Service (DAS) accounts.
- Lead marketing and promotion strategies to attract both learners and employers.
Operational Delivery
- Recruit and manage trainers, assessors, and internal verifiers to deliver outstanding learning experiences.
- Source and maintain relationships with End Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs).
- Monitor learner progress, retention, and timely achievement against KPIs.
- Ensure compliance with Safeguarding, Prevent, British Values, Data Protection, Equality & Diversity requirements.
Person Specification
Essential
- Minimum 8 years’ experience in managing apprenticeship provision within a government-funded training environment.
- Proven track record of successful programme design, Ofsted inspection readiness, and achieving funding compliance.
- Strong understanding of ESFA funding rules, ILR data management, and DAS processes.
- Demonstrable experience of business development and building employer partnerships.
- Must have a database of key stakeholders and employers available from day 1.
- Deep knowledge of digital apprenticeship standards and industry trends.
- Ability to lead, inspire, and build a high-performing delivery team.
- Experience in leading new provider APAR registration or re-approval.
- Recognised teaching or assessor qualification (e.g. DTTLS, CAVA, IQA).
Desirable
- Knowledge of AEB/ASF and Bootcamp to Apprenticeship transition models.
Performance & Progression
- Year 1 Target: 30 digital apprenticeships successfully started and managed.
- Year 2 Target: Minimum of 100 new apprenticeships started and manged.
- Achieve a minimum of a 98% completion and achievement targets.
- Maintain high level of retention (97%) with a minimum of 95% attendance rates.
- On achievement of annual targets, a 10% pay rise will be awarded for the first two years.
- After Year 2, a revised high-performance pay structure will be introduced to reflect expansion and national growth.
Why Join LEAD Training
- Opportunity to build a new apprenticeship division from the ground up (the aim of becoming Head of Apprenticeships for LEAD from year 3).
- Join a forward-thinking organisation rated “Good” by Ofsted and trusted by multiple funding authorities.
- Work with a passionate leadership team dedicated to innovation, quality, and learner success.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £49,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Have you previously led or contributed to an APAR (RoATP) application as a new provider?
- Have you previously led the full end-to-end design, development and implementation of Apprenticeships?
- Do you have a strong Employer Engagement & Business Development Record, and can you demonstrate a portfolio of employer contacts?
Experience:
- Managing government-funded apprenticeship provision: 8 years (required)
- ESFA funding rule interpretation: 5 years (required)
- ILR compliance and audit: 5 years (required)
- Apprenticeship Service (DAS) accounts: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person
