Overview
Apprentice and Stakeholder Experience Operations Manager (0166-26) – Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
The Institute of Education and Skills (IoES) at the University of Derby is a vibrant, values-driven community with a strong national reputation for excellence in education and skills development. We are proud of our 'Outstanding' Initial Teacher Training and Education (ITTE) and 'Good' FE & Skills provision, which underpins our commitment to transforming lives through high-quality, inclusive education.
Ambitious and forward-looking, the IoES is entering an exciting phase of growth. We are expanding and strengthening our FE and Skills provision across Buxton, Chesterfield and the Nuclear Skills Academy, responding to regional and national priorities and working closely with industry to deliver future-focused curricula.
This is an opportunity to join a university that is bold in its vision, collaborative in its culture and committed to innovation, impact and learner/apprentice success. If you want to help shape the future of FE and Skills within a supportive, high-performing institute, the IoES at Derby is the place to do it.
About the Role
The Apprentice and Stakeholder Experience Operations Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for apprenticeship and skills delivery. The role is responsible for ensuring a high-quality, consistent and compliant experience across the full apprentice and employer journey, translating regulatory requirements and policy into effective institutional practice.
Core responsibilities include overseeing quality assurance, performance monitoring and continuous improvement across FE and HE apprenticeship provision; embedding robust and auditable processes in line with ESFA, OfS, QAA and Ofsted requirements; and ensuring effective coordination of end-point assessment activity in partnership with Registry teams. The post holder leads on the development and use of systems to capture and respond to apprentice, employer and stakeholder feedback, using data to inform decision-making and enhance outcomes.
The role also includes responsibility for stakeholder and employer engagement, working collaboratively with internal teams to strengthen partnerships, support business development and contribute to income generation. Acting as a key point of coordination across FE and HE academic units and professional services, the post holder ensures consistent standards and effective governance. The role has line management responsibility for Apprenticeship and Stakeholder Experience Coordinators and administrative staff, providing leadership, direction and performance management to support high-quality service delivery.
The primary location for this role can be flexible with the post holder based at either our Kedleston Road or Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA) sites in Derby, or our Buxton site. The role will require regular travel to Buxton and the NSA.
About You
You will be an experienced leader in apprenticeships and skills, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality, compliant provision within Further and/or Higher Education. You will hold an honours degree (or equivalent experience) and bring substantial experience of working with apprenticeship frameworks or standards across a range of subject areas.
You will have a sound understanding of the regulatory landscape, including ESFA funding rules, OfS, QAA and Ofsted requirements, with proven experience of quality assurance, self-assessment, inspection or audit activity. You will be confident in using data and reporting systems to monitor performance, identify issues and drive continuous improvement, with a clear focus on achieving strong outcomes for apprentices and employers.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are essential. You will have experience of managing and developing teams, working collaboratively across complex organisations, and influencing a wide range of stakeholders, including employers and external partners. You will be highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and projects, and demonstrate a methodical, detail-oriented approach. A commitment to safeguarding, compliance and high professional standards is essential, alongside the ability to build effective relationships and operate with credibility at all levels.
Benefits
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
- Teacher’s Pension Scheme
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
- Discounted onsite gym
- Access to employer-funded Private Health Insurance
- Holiday purchase
- Cycle to Work scheme
- A flexible working environment
- A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Liam Tobin-Ward,
Subject Lead: FE and Skills via l.tobinward@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk
Important Information
This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).
If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:
- Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
- You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
- You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
- You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.
For more information, visit our website.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.
Closing Date: 18 Aug 2026
Area: Senior Management
Salary: £50,832 to £63,540 per annum
(for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £73,071 per annum)
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
