Job Title: Head of Quality and Compliance Department: Quality and Compliance Location: Sheffield ,with the flexibility to work from home 50% Pay Scale: £71,289 per year Contract: Permanent Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours per week) SFJ Awards SFJ Awards are a regulated Awarding Organisation, delivering high quality qualifications, and custom certification for learners through Approved Centres in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. We are also an Apprenticeship End-Point Assessment (EPA) Organisation approved by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to deliver EPA to apprentices for a growing number of apprenticeship standards in England. SFJ Awards is part of the Workforce Development Trust group. The Workforce Development Trust The Workforce Development Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that provides services that support employers to develop skilled, sustainable, and efficient workforces in the UK and abroad. We operate via our collective of four brands; Skills for Health, Skills for Justice, SFJ Awards and People 1st International, which deliver specialist, targeted skills interventions to support a variety of frontline public services. Job summary SFJ Awards provides a range of Awarding Organisation and assurance functions, including regulated qualifications and apprenticeship end-point assessment. The Head of Quality and Compliance is an important senior leadership position within SFJ Awards, accountable to the Managing Director. The post holder will act as Responsible Officer for SFJ Awards in all dealings with the education and qualification regulatory bodies for which SFJ Awards’ provision is in scope and be accountable for quality improvement and assurance services in respect of SFJ Awards’ product portfolio. They will ensure good governance over the functions under their control and play an active role in the delivery of corporate aims and objectives for SFJ Awards, as well as taking a lead role in the forward strategic development of the organisation. The post holder will ensure effective relationships with key stakeholders, including relevant regulatory and sector bodies, as well as contributing to the wider development and successful achievement of SFJ Awards’ strategic, operational and financial plans. What is the impact of the role on the business? The role of Head of Quality and Compliance has a significant impact on SFJ Awards by ensuring the highest standards in quality and regulatory compliance across its educational products and services. As a senior leadership position, this role is responsible for maintaining SFJ Awards' regulated status, overseeing all quality assurance functions, and acting as the Responsible Officer with regulatory bodies. Through strategic planning and governance, this position supports the organization's goals by aligning quality standards with SFJ Awards' mission and objectives, thereby strengthening its reputation and fostering trust among customers and stakeholders. The role also directly influences operational excellence by guiding compliance initiatives, managing teams, and implementing robust systems, which collectively drive SFJ Awards’ strategic and financial success Key business skills necessary for the role? The Head of Quality and Compliance role requires a range of critical business skills to ensure effective management and strategic alignment with SFJ Awards' goals. Strong leadership abilities are essential for directing quality assurance teams, setting objectives, and fostering a culture that upholds the organisation’s values. Strategic planning and analytical skills enable the role to design and implement long-term quality improvement and compliance strategies that align with regulatory standards and market needs. Advanced understanding of regulatory requirements, such as ISO 27001 and Ofqual conditions, allows for accurate compliance oversight and timely risk management. Additionally, strong financial acumen is vital to manage budgets effectively, achieve value for money (VFM), and contribute to the organisation’s financial objectives. Lastly, excellent communication and negotiation skills are crucial for building relationships with key stakeholders, influencing decisions at senior levels, and representing SFJ Awards in external engagements. These combined skills ensure that the role drives quality, compliance, and business success across the organization. What does the daily work look like? The daily work of the Head of Quality and Compliance at SFJ Awards involves a balance of strategic planning, regulatory management, and team leadership tasks. A typical day might begin with reviewing and analysing compliance reports, ensuring that quality assurance processes align with current regulations and standards. The role involves close monitoring of regulatory updates and implementing necessary adjustments to policies or procedures, which may include briefing teams or advising the Managing Director and other senior leaders on required actions. On an operational level, the Head of Quality and Compliance might spend time preparing compliance documentation, such as the Statement of Compliance or Thematic Reviews, for regulatory bodies. Managing meetings with cross-functional teams is another key part of the day, as the role oversees the quality assurance and exams functions, sets objectives, and monitors performance against key metrics. Coordinating with external stakeholders—including regulatory agencies, sector bodies, and customers—is also essential, requiring adept communication and relationship-building to maintain SFJ Awards’ reputation and compliance status. The role also demands attention to ongoing projects, such as refining quality assurance systems or leading change initiatives to improve SFJ Awards' operations. Finally, as a senior leadership role, it involves strategic thinking and planning for future improvements, requiring regular alignment with SFJ Awards’ overall business objectives and preparing reports or presentations for the Quality Forum and Standards Committee. Key Responsibilities Reporting directly to the SFJ Awards Managing Director, the post holder’s key responsibilities will include accountability for: The successful maintenance of SFJ Awards’ status as a U.K. regulated AO and EPAO. The effective management and maintenance of regulatory compliance, including acting as ‘Responsible Officer’ for the purposes of ensuring regulatory compliance and engagement with U.K. qualifications regulatory bodies. The development and execution of strategic and operational plans for SFJ Awards’ quality improvement and assurance functions, ensuring they are consistent with wider SFJ Awards strategic aims. Responsible for the accurate and timely production of the Statement of Compliance including other Key Lines of Enquiry. Responsible for the accurate and timely production of Thematic Reviews as requested by the regulator. Keep abreast of regulatory changes and advising teams and stakeholders on actions required to mitigate and manage risks. Ensuring that robust quality assurance systems operate across all aspects of the development and delivery of SFJ Awards’ products and services, maintaining and enhancing the organisation’s reputation with its customers and stakeholders. Responsible for the preparation and production of all papers for Quality Forum and Quality and Standards Committee, in partnership with SFJ Awards Management Team. Directing and line managing the work of the quality assurance and exams functions within SFJ Awards, recruiting and selecting staff, setting objectives and influencing, motivating, supporting and holding individuals to account for the delivery of key performance indicators, targets and other success measures. Ensuring accurate, reliable, consistent, and timely management and transfer of data to Regulatory bodies to the ISO 27001 standard. As a senior member of the SFJ Awards Management Team, acting as a role model for a culture within SFJ Awards that cultivates and demonstrates the values shared across the WD Trust group. Providing expert advice and guidance to the Managing Director and wider WD Trust Group Leadership Team on matters relating to quality improvement and assurance within vocational education and training. Representing SFJ Awards at external events and with external contacts, acting at all times as an ambassador for SFJ Awards and the wider WD Trust. Supporting and deputising for the Managing Director in providing effective leadership of SFJ Awards staff when required to do so. For the full job description and a job pack to assist your application, please visit: https://www.wdtrust.org.uk/careers/ This job requires some days in the office. Please consider if you are willing to relocate before applying. Please only apply if you currently have a valid right to work in the UK. Benefits: Generous annual leave entitlement up to a maximum of 28 days, plus public holidays and a potential Christmas closure Flexible working - 50% working from home with a dress for your day approach Staggered start and finish time Employee referral recruitment scheme We provide enhanced leave, bereavement, carers, maternity, paternity and sickness leave. Health and wellbeing benefits, access to our mental health first aiders, a confidential employee assistance programme, free eye tests and payment for an annual flu jab Enhanced pension scheme, with a contribution matching up to a combined 12%, along with death in service coverage at three times annual salary Flexible employee benefits, portal including a cycle to work scheme Buy annual leave scheme Organisational development days and departmental training budgets Payroll giving, this is a tax-free way to donate to any charity, good cause or place of worship The Workforce Development Trust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone. If your experience differs a little from what is outlined in the job description, or you are missing a desired qualification, yet you think you can bring value to this role, please apply, we would like to hear more about you. We strongly encourage people of all gender, religion, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and individuals with disabilities to apply. If you need any reasonable adjustments at any point, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to advise on your preferred pronouns, for example she/her, he/him, they/them etc. The Workforce Development Trust appreciate any applications that include cover letters explaining why they would be suitable for this role. Closing date: Thursday 28th November 2024 Please note, we reserve the right to alter the closing date before the one stated. Please include your CV when applying. Cover letter optional, but beneficial. You can apply through our website. Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted Job Types: Permanent, Full-time Salary: £71,289 per year Work Location: Sheffield Office with hybrid working Application deadline: Thursday 28th November 2024 Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Pay: £71,289.00 per year Benefits: Casual dress Company pension Cycle to work scheme Free flu jabs Life insurance Schedule: Monday to Friday Work Location: Hybrid remote in Sheffield Application deadline: 27/11/2024
