Apprentice and Stakeholder Experience Operations Manager

£50,832 to £63,540 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £73,071 per annum)

OnsiteThis role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The Institute of Education and Skills (IoES) at the University of Derby is a vibrant, values-driven community with a strong national reputation for excellence in education and skills development. We are proud of our ‘Outstanding’ Initial Teacher Training and Education (ITTE) and ‘Good’ FE & Skills provision, which underpins our commitment to transforming lives through high-quality, inclusive education.

Ambitious and forward-looking, the IoES is entering an exciting phase of growth. We are expanding and strengthening our FE and Skills provision across Buxton, Chesterfield and the Nuclear Skills Academy, responding to regional and national priorities and working closely with industry to deliver future-focused curricula.

This is an opportunity to join a university that is bold in its vision, collaborative in its culture and committed to innovation, impact and learner/apprentice success. If you want to help shape the future of FE and Skills within a supportive, high-performing institute, the IoES at Derby is the place to do it.

The Apprentice and Stakeholder Experience Operations Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for apprenticeship and skills delivery. The role is responsible for ensuring a high-quality, consistent and compliant experience across the full apprentice and employer journey, translating regulatory requirements and policy into effective institutional practice.

Core responsibilities include overseeing quality assurance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement across FE and HE apprenticeship provision; embedding robust and auditable processes in line with ESFA, OfS, QAA and Ofsted requirements; and ensuring effective coordination of end-point assessment activity in partnership with Registry teams. The post holder leads on the development and use of systems to capture and respond to apprentice, employer and stakeholder feedback, using data to inform decision-making and enhance outcomes.

The role also includes responsibility for stakeholder and employer engagement, working collaboratively with internal teams to strengthen partnerships, support business development and contribute to income generation. Acting as a key point of coordination across FE and HE academic units and professional services, the post holder ensures consistent standards and effective governance. The role has line management responsibility for Apprenticeship and Stakeholder Experience Coordinators and administrative staff, providing leadership, direction and performance management to support high-quality service delivery.

The primary location for this role can be flexible with the post holder based at either our Kedleston Road or Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA) sites in Derby, or our Buxton site. The role will require regular travel to Buxton and the NSA.

You will be an experienced leader in apprenticeships and skills, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality, compliant provision within Further and/or Higher Education. You will hold an honours degree (or equivalent experience) and bring substantial experience of working with apprenticeship frameworks or standards across a range of subject areas.

You will have a sound understanding of the regulatory landscape, including ESFA funding rules, OfS, QAA and Ofsted requirements, with proven experience of quality assurance, self-assessment, inspection or audit activity. You will be confident in using data and reporting systems to monitor performance, identify issues and drive continuous improvement, with a clear focus on achieving strong outcomes for apprentices and employers.

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are essential. You will have experience of managing and developing teams, working collaboratively across complex organisations, and influencing a wide range of stakeholders, including employers and external partners. You will be highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and projects, and demonstrate a methodical, detail-oriented approach. A commitment to safeguarding, compliance and high professional standards is essential, alongside the ability to build effective relationships and operate with credibility at all levels.

The postholder provides strategic and operational leadership for apprenticeship delivery and stakeholder engagement, ensuring high-quality provision and full regulatory compliance. Key responsibilities include:

• Oversight of quality and delivery: Monitoring effectiveness of provision, assuring the apprentice experience, and using robust systems to gather, analyse and respond to apprentice, employer and stakeholder feedback.
• Compliance and assurance: Embedding auditable regulatory processes across the University, including attendance, progress tracking and employer reporting, with a clear focus on strong outcomes.
• EPA coordination: Working closely with Registry EPA teams to ensure effective coordination and high-quality reporting for integrated and non-integrated apprenticeships.
• Stakeholder and employer engagement: Partnering with Business Engagement and Employability teams to strengthen employer networks, support business development and enhance income generation.
• External representation: Acting as a key University representative with commercial, industrial and political stakeholders to advance strategic objectives.

Strategic Leadership and Policy

• Maintain expert knowledge of FE and HE apprenticeship and skills policy and regulations, horizon‑scanning national and regional developments.
• Translate policy and regulatory requirements into institutional strategy, operational practice and continuous improvement activity.
• Establish, implement and review strategies, policies and procedures for Apprenticeships and Skills across the University.
• Lead long‑term planning for apprenticeship growth and development, embedding co‑creation with employers and apprentices.
• Build institutional understanding of apprenticeships and skills, refining systems and processes to enhance quality and effectiveness.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Lead quality monitoring, performance evaluation and compliance processes for apprenticeship provision.
• Provide expert advice, guidance and constructive challenge to leaders, managers and academic staff to secure timely improvement.
• Intervene supportively where quality, performance or regulatory practice requires improvement.
• Lead and contribute to self‑assessment and quality improvement planning, ensuring measurable impact.
• Ensure accurate data capture, reporting and compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

• Oversee reporting to employers, governance and deliberative structures, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective monitoring of apprentice progress and performance, including the consistent use of systems such as Smart Assessor.
• Lead the apprentice and employer survey cycle, including distribution, analysis and reporting of outcomes.
• Ensure the apprentice voice is systematically captured and strategically used to enhance provision.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with a wide range of external agencies to align processes, reporting and ways of working.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to implement policies, processes and systems that support a high‑quality apprentice and employer experience.
• Develop and maintain effective employer and stakeholder relationships, including supporting engagement events.
• Contribute to employer‑focused marketing and market intelligence in collaboration with relevant teams.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, set priorities for and continuously improve performance across the Apprenticeship and Stakeholder Experience Co‑ordinator team.
• Provide leadership and oversight for assessors, trainers, IQAs and self‑employed staff, ensuring technical quality and accountability.
• Promote a culture of openness, solution‑focused working and shared responsibility.

Business Development and Growth

• Work collaboratively with Business Development Managers to support the specification, bidding for and delivery of employer‑based provision and external funding.
• Develop business networks with employers, Local Enterprise Partnerships and regional bodies to support growth and income generation.

General

• To comply with the requirements of Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Prevent, Health and Safety, Quality and other University policies including Equal Opportunities, Risk Management and Equality and Diversity.
• An Honours Degree – 2:1 or above in a relevant subject or substantial equivalent experience
• Recognised teaching qualification for further/higher education

Experience

• Leading employer and apprentice voice by developing systems and managing data and reporting systems with a clear focus on problem solving and feeding back on action taken
• Confident in leading internal quality review, self-assessment and quality improvement in line with the Inspection Framework
• Experience of curriculum planning in line with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of ESFA, QAA, OfS audit and intervention regimes
• Recent Ofsted inspection experience with at least ‘good’ grades for previous inspections
• Experience of monitoring the progress of apprentices
• Experience of working on apprenticeships and skills in a range of academic fields
• Experience of managing several activities/projects to meet deadlines
• Experience of leading and preparing for external audit and inspection
• Experience of organising events/activities

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Strong leadership skills with demonstrable experience of empowering others working in complex situations
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrable ability to lead key aspects of apprenticeships and skills provision from Levels 2–7
• Experience and accountability for outcomes
• Good knowledge of funding and audit rules
• Knowledge and understanding of the application of safeguarding principles
• Confident in working with organisational and external procedures/regulations
• High levels of stakeholder influence across industry, government, internally and at various levels of the organisation
• Confident in a team environment and able to engage others
• Confident in developing internal and external professional relationships
• Commitment to report writing
• Analysis of data
• Contribution to self-assessment and self-evaluation production
• Methodical approach with strong attention to detail and ability to set high standards for self and others

Business requirements

• Completed enhanced DBS check with child barred list
• Prohibited from Teaching check
• Willingness to work flexibly and be responsive to business needs and customer expectations
• Willingness to positively respond to change and learn new challenges
• Evidence of continual professional development
• Willingness to provide support at University events from time to time e.g., Graduation, Clearing and Open Days, (some of these events occur outside of normal working hours, such as evenings and weekends)

Qualifications

• Masters level qualification in related subject area
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Liam Tobin-Ward, Subject Lead: FE and Skills via l.tobinward@derby.ac.uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk .

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

Your job is on the Immigration Salary List

You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.

When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title ‘Mx’. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns.This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates.Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University’s strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University’s objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Seize the opportunity to shape the future, apply now.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody’s concern.

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