Director of Apprenticeships

Salary: Per annum

Cardiff and Vale College are seeking an outstanding Director of Apprenticeships to provide strategic and inclusive leadership across our Work-Based Learning (WBL) provision. This senior role will shape the future of our apprenticeship offer, driving excellence in teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring strong contract performance, and supporting the development of high‑quality, employer-responsive pathways for learners from all backgrounds.

Reporting to the Vice Principal for Business Development, you will lead all aspects of the College's apprenticeship activity. This includes full responsibility for managing the College's apprenticeship contract, covering both direct delivery and subcontracted provision, ensuring that opportunities remain accessible, inclusive and responsive to the communities we serve.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Supporting sustainable commercial development through informed strategies that drive growth in new and existing markets.
• Leading the management of a portfolio of contracts and projects, delivering successfully against objectives and budget.
• Working collaboratively across the College and Group to deliver against ambitious but achievable growth plans that benefit learners, employers and the wider community.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing strategic and operational leadership for the College's apprenticeship provision.
• Leading and inspiring teams to achieve outstanding outcomes and contribute to College KPIs.
• Managing the College's apprenticeship contract, including direct delivery and subcontracted provision.
• Driving curriculum innovation aligned to employer, learner and Welsh Government priorities.
• Overseeing contract performance, financial sustainability and effective resource management.
• Building and maintaining strong, positive relationships with employers, sector partners and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, improvement planning and monitoring.
• Promoting a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team culture where colleagues feel valued and included.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience within the Post-16/WBL sector, with a strong understanding of Welsh Government skills and funding priorities
• Proven senior leadership experience delivering multi-million-pound contracts or projects
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving growth, innovation and profitability
• Experience of managing or delivering apprenticeship programmes
• Excellent analytical, organisational and project management skills
• A collaborative, values-driven leadership style that inspires teams and builds effective partnerships

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience gained through substantial industry or sector leadership

You will thrive in a supportive and collaborative leadership environment, be comfortable operating at a strategic level, and demonstrate clarity of vision, resilience and the ability to deliver meaningful impact.

Closing date for applications is 2 April 2026, and interviews will take place week commencing 13 April 2026