Priority Group jobs

With a QAR consistently above the national average across a single apprenticeship standard, we are seeking an ambitious, performance-driven operational manager to lead delivery across a defined region covering Southeast England, including Aldershot, Windsor, Chepstow, Bulford, Warminster, Tidworth, and Cottesmore.

This role is responsible for overseeing apprenticeship provision for serving soldiers undertaking the HM Forces Serviceperson (Protective Services) Level 2 apprenticeship, with a particular focus on Functional Skills (English and maths).

The successful candidate will maintain oversight of regional apprenticeship performance, ensuring delivery remains compliant, timely, and outcome-focused across multiple Army sites. Working closely with delivery teams and military stakeholders, the role requires strong operational oversight of learner progress, Functional Skills achievement, gateway readiness, and EPA pipeline activity to ensure performance targets are achieved.

A core focus of the role is performance management through effective use of operational and learner data. The postholder will maintain oversight of regional KPIs, learner progression, Functional Skills achievement, PPED risk, gateway readiness, and EPA pipeline activity, using data analysis to identify trends, prioritise intervention, and drive timely completion.

The role requires consistent oversight of Apprenticeship Coordinators and Functional Skills Tutors through structured caseload reviews, targeted action planning, and robust performance management. This includes identifying areas of underperformance, implementing corrective actions, and ensuring accountability for learner progress and programme outcomes across the region.

You will lead teams of Apprenticeship Coordinators and Functional Skills Tutors, ensuring delivery is structured, compliant, and responsive to operational requirements. Alongside regional performance oversight, the role will contribute to wider contract priorities including audit preparation, EPA acceleration activity, continuous improvement, and maintaining strong apprenticeship outcomes across the provision.
The role also plays an important part in reinforcing the importance of literacy and numeracy within a military context, ensuring Functional Skills delivery remains accessible, operationally relevant, and effectively embedded within busy Army environments.
progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage regional delivery across multiple Army bases, ensuring consistency and quality of provision
• Line manage Apprenticeship Coordinators and Functional Skills Tutors, providing clear direction, challenge, and support
• Maintain full oversight of learner progress, including Functional Skills, gateway readiness, PPEDs, BiLs, and EPA pipeline
• Use data (e.g. caseload, PPED, BiL, EPA status) to identify risk, drive intervention, and improve outcomes
• Host regular caseload reviews and implement targeted action planning to improve performance
• Plan and coordinate Functional Skills surge activity in response to regional need
• Represent the provision at Working Groups and Steering Groups, providing clear data reporting, contributing to performance discussions, and escalating risks where required
• Engage confidently with stakeholders, offering appropriate challenge and professional judgement to support decision-making and improve outcomes
• Ensure Functional Skills delivery is embedded, accessible, and aligned to operational requirements
• Work closely with Army stakeholders to coordinate access, scheduling, and learner engagement
• Drive achievement against KPIs including timely completion, first-time pass rates, and overall QAR
• Ensure compliance with apprenticeship funding rules, audit requirements, and internal quality standards
• Support workforce planning and deployment across the region to meet demand
• Contribute to wider contract priorities including audit preparation, EPA acceleration, and continuous improvement

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in managing apprenticeship delivery, ideally across a multi-site provision
• Able to operate with pace, ownership, and initiative, ensuring apprenticeship activity continues to progress effectively within busy operational environments
• Strong understanding of apprenticeship compliance requirements, including funding rules, audit expectations, and maintaining accurate, up-to-date learner documentation across a multi-site provision
• Strong understanding of Functional Skills (English and maths) and its role in progression and achievement
• Experience of leading and managing teams, including performance management and staff development
• Highly confident in using data to monitor performance, identify risk, and drive improvement
• Ability to operate effectively within complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Confidence to engage in performance discussions, including providing constructive challenge where required
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel
• Minimum DBS/BPSS clearance will be required to undertake this role

The Role in Practice
This is a high-trust, autonomous role where you will be expected to manage your own time, regional priorities, and operational activity effectively. While there is a strong on-site element to the role, you will have flexibility and autonomy in determining how best to manage your region, deploy resource, and maintain performance across your caseloads and delivery teams.

Alongside this, the role requires a consistent focus on data analysis and performance oversight. You will use caseload, Functional Skills, PPED, BiL, and EPA data to identify trends, prioritise activity, and drive targeted interventions across your region.
You will be expected to translate data into clear, practical actions that support both staff and units - ensuring delivery is efficient, well-coordinated, and aligned to operational demands.

The role requires a balance of operational grip, analytical thinking, and professional judgement - knowing when to support, when to challenge, and when to escalate, while working collaboratively to make delivery as straightforward and effective as possible for busy Army units.

Reward

• 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays + discretionary Christmas closedown
• Enhanced sick, maternity, and paternity pay
• Paid compassionate leave
• Perkbox membership
• Travel expenses covered
• Opportunity to lead delivery at scale across a nationally significant contract
• Direct influence on improving outcomes for serving personnel

Safeguarding statement:
The Colleges’ Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and safer recruitment practices.

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

Pay: £40,752.38 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: On the road