Head of Department - Adult Skills

Discipline: Internal
Salary: £60,090 - £65,967
Contact email: recruit@bradforcollege.ac.uk
Job ref: 049388
Published: about 1 month ago
Deadline for Application: 29 May 2026 23:59

We are looking for a passionate leader to join our Adult Skills department as Head of Adult Skills

The Head of Adult Skills will lead the Adult Skills Study Programme provision, ensuring there is an engaging, innovative curriculum offer that supports students studying from Entry to Level 2.  They will lead a team of Tutors & Support Staff to provide face to face and remote sessions across a number of College locations.

The Head of Adult Skills is responsible for ensuring the achievement of the departmental business plan and the achievement of departmental targets in relation to curriculum, student recruitment, quality, finance, audit, people and corporate services.

 

Interviews are planned to take place on Tuesday 16th June, candidates selected for interview should expect the process to take a full working day.

 

Responsibilities include:

  • Implements the Bradford College vision for an outstanding provision aligned to the 4-year strategy and informed by market research, staff and student feedback, the needs of external stakeholders, the community and employers
  • Plans the FE curriculum to support the delivery of the College strategy and provide a responsive offer to the needs of Study Programme
  • Optimises the efficient delivery of the curriculum to achieve targets
  • Constantly strives to improve the student experience with a view to further extending opportunities and progression to further study or employment
  • Keeps abreast of national qualifications on offer, making decisions for the most appropriate qualifications for students.
  • Responds to national, regional and local polices by developing innovative models of delivery and monitoring their effectiveness
  • Builds strong links with relevant agencies; including employers, universities and schools to extend student enhancement and enrichment opportunities
  • Line management of curriculum area managers who will have teams reporting to them
  • Work in collaboration with Heads of Department to ensure effective delivery of the curriculum offer
  • Create and maintain outstanding learning environments that engage learners and demonstrate the value of Adult Skills in relation to Higher Education, Employment and the wider community

For the full job description and person specification, please click here

 

The Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a learner and quality-focused with a commitment to our vision of working together to transform lives. You should be able to contribute to our journey to Outstanding, creating a positive working and study environment, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion should be embedded within your core values.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who identify as Black, Asian or from an ethnic minority background, as these groups are currently underrepresented within our management roles.

As part of the hiring process, all shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a psychometric test, which will provide valuable insight into your potential fit within Bradford College.

 

Education & Training

  • Degree or Level 5 professional qualification
  • A recognised teaching qualification
  • GCSE 4 – 9 or equivalent level 2 qualification in Maths, or be prepared to pass a test before the interview to demonstrate level 2 ability, and then, if appointed, achieve within an agreed timescale
  • GCSE 4 - 9 or equivalent level 2 qualification in English, or be prepared to pass a test before the interview to demonstrate level 2 ability, and then, if appointed, achieve within an agreed timescale

Experience

  • Experience of curriculum development related to 16-19 Study Programmes
  • Experience of working with employers and stakeholders to design and enhance the curriculum offer
  • Experience of managing people and resources
  • Implementation of strategies to improve attendance and retention
  • Experience of engagement pastoral and enrichment enhancements for students
  • Sound knowledge of funding in FE settings
  • Experience of student pastoral care and positive behaviour procedures
  • Evidence of commitment to high standards of student attendance, punctuality and performance

For an informal discussion about the role, please email recruit@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, depending on the level of interest and number of applications, so early application is advised.

Please note that if you are successful and accept a role, any other ongoing applications for other roles with us will be withdrawn automatically.

 

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

 

We kindly request that recruitment agencies not forward any unsolicited CVs in relation to any of our advertised roles or speculatively. If we require support with any of our vacancies, we will get in touch with agencies directly.

  • We do not recognise submissions of unsolicited or speculative CV applications from recruitment agencies.
  • We shall not be liable for any fee /commission in the event we employ a candidate that may have been submitted as an unsolicited/speculative application from an uninstructed recruitment agency.

Bradford College

 

At Bradford College, our ambition is to transform the lives of our learners, help them to aim higher and support them to achieve their goals.

Located in the heart of Bradford, we offer a wide range of courses at varying levels, with something to suit everyone. From undergraduate to postgraduate and professional qualifications, to distance learning and short community courses.

We aim to attract and retain knowledgeable, passionate and focused individuals who can inspire, motivate and support both learners and colleagues. With a can-do attitude and desire for continuous self-improvement, you could make a difference in the lives of everyone at Bradford College.

Should you be shortlisted for an interview, as a Disability Confident employer, where required, we will make reasonable adjustments to your interview to ensure you are given the best opportunity to succeed. If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments for the interview, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your options.

Bradford College is proud to be working towards becoming a Menopause Friendly Accredited Employer. This commitment reflects our dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all staff. We are implementing policies, resources, and awareness initiatives to ensure everyone feels valued and supported through every stage of life.

 

Benefits of working at Bradford College:

  • Generous annual leave entitlement – equivalent to 38 days of holidays, plus bank holidays
  • Additional college closure days, including a 2-week Christmas closure
  • Teachers’ Pension scheme, with a generous 23% employer contribution
  • Annual salary reviews
  • Career progression opportunities – 54% of all vacancies are filled internally
  • Free sports and gym facilities
  • Free wellbeing initiatives and access to our exclusive staff indoor and outdoor wellbeing space
  • Confidential employee assistance service and on-site mental health first aiders
  • Access to Bradford College benefits hub, offering retail, travel, leisure and dining discounts and cashback
  • Discounts on greener travel – cycle to work scheme & local MetroCard and Northern Rail discounts
  • Access to hair and beauty treatments in our student-led Signature Spa
  • On-site dining facilities, including our award-winning Grove restaurant
  • A host of training development opportunities
  • Fantastic campus facilities, a short walk to public transport links in the heart of the City of Culture 2025
  • The opportunity to work for an organisation that is truly committed to creating a better future for all through education and training.

For full details, please click  here

*If you have the drive to further develop your skills and abilities, you will be given the support and opportunities you need to enhance your career. This includes access to in-house training and CPD, professional and academic qualifications and mentoring.

Bradford College is committed to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion amongst our staff and student body. We promote applications across all sections of the community, recognising the benefits a diverse workforce can bring and therefore particularly encourage applications from groups which are underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In line with our statutory safeguarding requirements detailed in Keeping Children Safe in Education legislation, this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, employment references, health screening and social media search.

Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection with children and vulnerable adults.