Assistant Manager: Vocational HMP

Job Title: Assistant Manager - Vocational

Location: HMP The Mount (Bovingdon, Hertfordshire)

Salary: From £35,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

We have an exciting leadership opportunity for an Assistant Manager - Vocational to join the senior management team on-site at HMP The Mount. Working alongside the Education Manager, you will oversee and elevate the vocational curriculum-spanning Motor Mechanics, Painting & Decorating, Art, Music, Media, and Personal & Social Development (PSD)-fostering a high-performing teaching environment that delivers outstanding educational outcomes.

What You Will Be Doing

Operational Leadership & Deputising: Support the Education Manager with day-to-day operations across the education department, managing learner inductions, allocations, and conduct, while stepping in to lead the department when required.

Vocational Curriculum Management: Oversee delivery and continuous improvement across diverse trade and creative departments (e.g., Motor Mechanics, P&D, Art, Music, Media, PSD), ensuring qualifications align with employer expectations and awarding body standards.

Quality Assurance & Performance: Lead internal quality assurance (IQA/EQA) processes, developmental observations, learning walks, and deep dives. Use MoJ management information systems to analyse performance and drive targets for recruitment, retention, and achievement.

Staff Development & Coaching: Manage and mentor teaching and support staff through formal appraisals, probation reviews, and tailored CPD plans, fostering a supportive, high-performing culture.

Inspection Readiness & Delivery: Contribute directly to the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in line with Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF), while delivering cover teaching sessions when necessary.

What We Are Looking For

Teaching Credentials: Essential Level 5+ Teaching Qualification (PGCE, Cert Ed, DTLLS, or equivalent) alongside Level 3 qualifications in both Maths and English.

Quality Assurance: Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) qualification (or willingness to achieve upon appointment).

Leadership Experience: Significant teaching experience with proven success in staff management, vocational curriculum oversight, and quality improvement within FE, adult learning, or prison education settings.

Inspection Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and quality assurance mechanisms.

Desirable Criteria: Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager qualification and prior experience within secure custodial environments.

Our Benefits Include:

30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

Paid volunteering day each year

Generous pension scheme & Life Assurance Cycle to Work scheme & Holiday purchase scheme

Enhanced Wedding Leave & Enhanced Maternity Scheme

24/7 Employee Assistance Programme & online wellbeing portal

Access to hundreds of retail discounts via the Additions portal

Important Notice

Dovetail and Slate is a specialist education recruitment company. If this role isn't quite right, we welcome your CV and a call to explore other opportunities.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Dovetail and Slate Ltd ((phone number removed)) acts as an Employment Agency and an Employment Business under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003.

We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.

Because education matters.

© Dovetail and Slate Limited.

Because education matters. Dovetail and Slate Limited ((phone number removed)) acts as an Employment Agency