Head of Apprenticeship Quality and Compliance ENG, GB, MKAA

Head of Apprenticeship Quality and Compliance (Milton Keynes, ENG, GB, MK7 6AA
)
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The Head of Apprenticeship Quality & Compliance has accountability for ensuring that OU’s apprenticeship provision consistently meets the highest standards of quality, is fully compliant with regulatory and funding requirements and is auditable, robust and future proof. This senior leadership role will deliver the governance, institutional assurance and external accountability frameworks that underpin the apprenticeship portfolio, working closely with key stakeholders (Academic Faculties, Academic Services, funding bodies, regulatory agencies, end‑point assessment organisations, employers).

The role is responsible for the overarching assurance frameworks, policy, risk management and regulatory alignment that ensure the OU’s apprenticeship provision is credible, fully compliant and sustainable.

The role reports directly to the Director of Strategy, Insight & Operations in the Business Development Unit and works closely with the Director of Academic Quality and Standards who has institution wide leadership for academic quality, standards and enhancement across all provision.

• Provide senior leadership for apprenticeship quality, compliance and regulatory assurance, aligned to internal standards and external requirements
• Own and maintain the University’s apprenticeship compliance framework, including funding and quality compliance, audit readiness, regulatory horizon-scanning and institutional response planning
• Act as institutional lead for all external inspections, audits and assurance activity (including Ofsted, DfE, OfS, Skills England, awarding bodies)
• Oversee and maintain all apprenticeship registrations and accreditations, including APAR and awarding body/EPAO approvals
• Lead the development and implementation of apprenticeship policy, governance and assurance processes to ensure regulatory integrity on an ongoing basis to react to external policy, regulatory and funding changes
• Advise senior leadership on policy, regulatory and funding changes, with clear analysis of impact, risk and required actions
• Monitor apprenticeship performance (including retention and achievement) to implement quality improvement priorities strategically
• Lead continuous improvement across apprenticeship provision, including self‑assessment, internal audit and enhancement activity
• Identify, elevate and mitigate risks relating to apprenticeship quality, funding, regulation and compliance
• Ensure employer and apprentice feedback informs quality assurance and continuous improvement

Essential criteria:

Knowledge and Experience

• Up-to-date knowledge of the apprenticeship regulatory landscape, including funding rules, inspection, quality and audit requirements
• Senior experience leading apprenticeship quality, compliance or regulatory functions within FE, HE or the wider skills sector
• Direct experience as institutional lead or nominee for external inspections or audits (e.g. Ofsted, DfE)
• Proven ability to design, embed and operate quality assurance, compliance and governance frameworks in complex organisational environments
• Experience managing regulatory and funding risk in complex organisational environments
• Experience working collaboratively with regulators and external bodies to maintain strong institutional relationships
• Experience producing high-quality policies, audit reports, self‑assessment evidence and regulatory submissions
• Knowledge of APAR (formerly RoATP) requirements and processes
• Desired experience operating within multiple regulatory frameworks alongside apprenticeships (e.g. relevant professional, statutory and regulatory bodies such as the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC))

Skills

• Ability to interpret complex regulations and funding rules and translate them into clear institutional requirements
• Str…