Assistant Manager - Vocational Education

Location: HMP Brixton, London
Salary: From £35,000 per annum + £5,000 London Weighting Allowance
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time

Lead Education That Changes Lives

Are you an experienced education professional looking to take the next step in your leadership career?

We are seeking a passionate and driven Assistant Manager - Vocational Education to support the delivery of high-quality education and skills programmes at HMP Brixton. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in leading a successful education provision that helps learners gain the skills, confidence, and qualifications needed to build positive futures.

Working closely with the Education Manager, you will help shape curriculum delivery, drive performance, support and develop staff, and ensure learners receive an outstanding educational experience that supports rehabilitation and employability.

This role is ideal for an experienced teacher, curriculum lead, quality manager, or education leader who is passionate about improving outcomes and making a meaningful social impact.

The Role

As Assistant Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the effective day-to-day operation of the education department while maintaining high standards of teaching, learning, and curriculum delivery.

Leadership & Operational Management

• Support the Education Manager with the day-to-day management of the education provision.
• Lead curriculum delivery, learner engagement, and departmental performance across vocational programmes.
• Deputise for the Education Manager when required.
• Oversee learner induction, allocation, attendance, and conduct within education settings.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with prison colleagues, awarding organisations, employers, and external stakeholders.
• Support the achievement of contractual targets and performance objectives.

Curriculum & Performance

• Drive improvements in learner recruitment, retention, achievement, and progression.
• Set and monitor staff performance targets aligned to organisational and contract requirements.
• Support the development of a responsive curriculum that reflects learner aspirations and labour market needs.
• Ensure qualifications and learning programmes meet awarding body requirements and quality standards.
• Use performance data to monitor trends, identify improvement opportunities, and implement solutions.

Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement

• Lead quality assurance activities across vocational education provision.
• Manage Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) and support External Quality Assurance (EQA) processes.
• Conduct observations, learning walks, work scrutiny activities, and quality reviews.
• Contribute to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
• Coach and support teaching staff to continuously improve teaching, learning, and assessment practices.
• Promote innovation and best practice across the department.

People Management & Development

• Manage, motivate, and support teaching and support staff through appraisals, supervision, probation reviews, and professional development.
• Mentor and induct new team members.
• Identify training needs and coordinate meaningful CPD opportunities.
• Support recruitment and onboarding activities to ensure a high-performing team.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture.

Compliance & Delivery

• Ensure all provision meets Ofsted, Ministry of Justice, awarding body, and organisational requirements.
• Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity, inclusion, and learner wellbeing.
• Maintain compliance with prison security procedures and operational requirements.
• Deliver teaching sessions when required and provide classroom cover where necessary.
• Support wider operational activities to ensure continuity of learning.

About You

We are looking for a confident and inspirational leader with a strong education background and a passion for improving learner outcomes.

Essential

• Teaching qualification at Level 5 or above (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent).
• Maths and English qualification at Level 3 or above.
• Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification, or willingness to achieve.
• Significant teaching and curriculum delivery experience.
• Experience leading, managing, or developing staff.
• Experience driving performance improvement and quality enhancement.
• Strong leadership, communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Good understanding of the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF).
• Commitment to supporting rehabilitation through education and skills development.

Desirable

• Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification.
• Experience within prison education, adult learning, further education, or skills training environments.
• Experience managing vocational education programmes.
• Experience contributing to SARs, QIPs, inspections, and quality improvement activities.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to combine educational leadership with a genuine social purpose.

Every day, you will help create opportunities for learners to gain valuable skills, raise aspirations, and move towards sustainable employment and successful reintegration into society.

You'll join a committed team dedicated to:

• Delivering outstanding education and training.
• Supporting rehabilitation through learning and employability.
• Creating pathways into work, apprenticeships, and further education.
• Developing learners' confidence, skills, and future prospects.
• Continuously improving quality and learner outcomes.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary from £35,000 per annum.
• £5,000 London Weighting Allowance.
• Ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities.
• A supportive and collaborative management team.
• Opportunities for career progression within education and training.
• The chance to make a lasting difference through education.
• A rewarding role that combines leadership, quality improvement, and social impact.

Our Values

We're looking for leaders who share our commitment to:

• Putting Learners First - delivering education that transforms lives.
• Acting with Integrity - building trust through professionalism and accountability.
• Taking Ownership - delivering high standards and driving improvement.
• Striving for Excellence - continuously improving quality and outcomes.
• Thinking Innovatively - embracing new ideas and approaches.
• Delivering Results - achieving positive outcomes for learners and stakeholders.

Apply Today

If you're ready to step into a rewarding leadership role and help shape vocational education that changes lives, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now to become Assistant Manager - Vocational Education at HMP Brixton.