Curriculum Manager

At AE Talent Solutions our mission is simple yet profound: to connect exceptional talent with exceptional opportunities. We are dedicated to empowering organizations with top-tier candidates and helping individuals achieve their career aspirations.

We are currently supporting our client to recruit an experienced and inspiring Vocational Curriculum Manager to lead, develop, and continuously improve our vocational training offer at HMP Millsike.

HMP Millsike Prison is a groundbreaking Category C male prison that has opened its doors in 2025, marking a significant step in the UK government’s plan to modernize the prison estate and address overcrowding. Located in the village of Full Sutton, near York, this facility is designed to set a new standard for correctional institutions, emphasizing rehabilitation, sustainability, and security. Named after the nearby Millsike Beck, a local river, HMP Millsike Prison is the first UK prison to operate entirely on electricity, utilizing solar panels and heat pump technology to reduce energy consumption by 75% compared to traditional prisons.

This is a pivotal role where you’ll combine leadership, quality assurance, and curriculum innovation to deliver outstanding outcomes for our learners.

As a key member of the management team, you’ll be accountable to the Education Delivery & Standards Manager for the effective management of the vocational curriculum and for driving quality improvement across your area. You’ll also take the establishment lead for quality assurance in vocational training, ensuring our delivery meets the highest standards and supports rehabilitation through education and skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• You will be accountable to the Education Delivery & Standards Manager for the effective management of the vocational curriculum and to take the establishment lead for quality assurance and improvement within your curriculum area.
• Assisting the Manager in the preparation of annual self-assessment report, Quality Improvement Plan, and budget management.
• The management team has responsibility for day-to-day operation of the Education Department. This includes and relates specifically to management of learners, particularly their induction and starting points, allocation to classes and conduct within the department.
• Curriculum Development: Design and develop comprehensive vocational training programs that cover a range of trades and skills, ensuring they are relevant, engaging, and tailored to the needs of the prison population. Programs may include trades such as carpentry, plumbing, bricks, electrical work, culinary arts, and more. Ensure that all vocational programs and activities support curriculum intent, implementation and are accessible and tailored to the needs of all learners.
• Quality Assurance: Implement and maintain rigorous quality assurance processes to ensure high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment. Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational programs and make necessary adjustments. Analyse data related to learner progress, retention, and achievement. Monitor and evaluate program delivery, using data, deep dives, learning walks and observations of teaching and learning, and feedback to drive continuous improvement. To lead on any necessary interventions in vocational training to swiftly stop poor performance and secure rapid improvement. To ensure that the department’s overall effectiveness, and particularly the quality of education, are of a consistently high quality that secures extraordinary and excellent outcomes for all learners.
• Team Leadership: Lead, support, and mentor a team of vocational tutors and instructors, providing guidance, training, and professional development opportunities. Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment.
• Compliance and Standards: Ensure all vocational programs comply with relevant regulatory and awarding body requirements. To be responsible for the high standard and timely completion of all internal verification and moderation processes within vocational training, working with, trainer’s assessors, IQAs, EQAs and Awarding Organisations. Keep up to date with developments in the field and integrate new knowledge into practice. Stay up to date with changes in vocational education standards and industry trends.
• Learner Support: Develop and implement strategies to support learners with varying abilities and backgrounds, including those with additional learning needs, ensuring starting points are used. Promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment within the prison setting.
• Resource Management: Oversee the development and procurement of teaching materials and resources. Ensure that all resources are utilised effectively and efficiently and are appropriate for use within the prison context.

Person Specification:

• A relevant first degree and/or professional qualification and a teaching qualification
• Significant teaching experience
• Successful experience of managing curriculum development and change, quality systems, processes, and the performance of teaching staff in ways which have improved learner outcomes
• Strong knowledge of vocational education standards and assessment requirements

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Evidence of continuous professional development together with the ability to develop and manage an achievement-focussed team.
• A creative and flexible approach towards achieving objectives and deadlines.
• Persuasive and supportive leadership and staff management skills.
• The ability to identify and implement continuous improvements to the curriculum in line with the needs and demands of learners and employers.
• An innovative approach and initiative-taking style together with advanced communication skills and the natural ability to influence others.
• A commitment to the Reduction of Re-Offending through Education and Skills.
• Clear understanding of the OFSTED framework (EIF) with the ability to meet all standards.

Company Benefits:

Holiday purchase scheme.

Pension scheme.

Life Assurance.

A paid Life Event Day each year.

30 days annual leave.

Cycle to Work scheme.

Access to hundreds of discounts via the Additions portal.

Employee Assistance Programme.

Access to online wellbeing centre.

Enhanced Wedding leave.

A paid volunteering day each year.

Enhanced Maternity scheme.

Sharesave scheme.

Refer a Friend reward scheme.