Why This Role Exists
CSS is establishing a dedicated central quality and compliance function for the first time, as it scales its Applied AI provision and manages existing ASF delivery contracts. This is not a business-as-usual role. The person appointed will build the function, own regulatory risk across the organisation, and act as the primary point of accountability for both quality of provision and funding compliance. You will report directly to the CEO and have genuine authority to shape standards across the business.
Role Overview
You will lead quality and compliance across CSS. That means two distinct areas of responsibility that must work together.
On quality: you own the standards, systems, and culture that determine how well we teach and assess. You drive improvement, manage inspection readiness, produce the SAR and QIP, and build a quality team capable of sustaining high standards as the organisation grows.
On compliance: you own our regulatory obligations under DfE funding rules, Ofsted, apprenticeship standards, and adult skills contracts. You ensure we are always operating within the terms of our APAR registration, that data submitted to the ILR is accurate and evidenced before submission, and that any funding or contractual risk is identified, escalated, and resolved.
These two areas are treated as a single function. Quality without compliance is unfinished. Compliance without quality is unsustainable.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Improvement
- Own the quality strategy across all three divisions. Develop, implement, and monitor the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
- Produce and maintain the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) and all supporting improvement documentation.
- Standardise quality frameworks, policies, and operating procedures across divisions to ensure consistent delivery.
- Monitor, analyse, and report on key quality metrics: achievement, retention, progression, attendance, and learner satisfaction.
- Design and deliver CPD for coaches, assessors, and trainers to raise the standard of teaching, learning, and assessment.
- Oversee internal and external quality assurance: sampling, moderation, assessment verification, and occupational competence checks.
- Drive employer-facing quality assurance where apprenticeships are delivered in workplace settings.
- Work with divisional leads to ensure curriculum intent, implementation, and impact align to organisational objectives.
Regulatory Compliance and Funding Integrity
- Own compliance with DfE funding rules across all funded programmes, including apprenticeships (levy and non-levy), adult skills, and justice contracts.
- Ensure ILR submissions are accurate, evidenced, and verified before submission. No data is submitted retrospectively. A two-person sign-off and independent verification step is in place for all ILR activity.
- Manage compliance with APAR obligations and maintain awareness of DfE policy updates and changes to funding methodologies.
- Lead preparation for and management of Ofsted inspections, including monitoring provider health dashboard data and maintaining inspection-ready evidence at all times.
- Own all compliance documentation: funding agreements, due diligence records, DfE audit trails, and contract delivery records.
- Manage relationships with awarding organisations, end-point assessment organisations, and external verifiers.
- Identify and escalate funding risk promptly. Implement and maintain compliance risk register reviewed at SLT level.
- Ensure safeguarding, Prevent, equality and diversity, and learner welfare policies are embedded in delivery practice across all divisions.
Data and MIS Oversight
- Ensure evidence exists in the LMS before submission, not retrospectively. Own the two-person sign-off rule for ILR data.
- Produce regular compliance and quality data reports for the CEO and board.
- Maintain a clear audit trail for all funded learner activity.
Leadership and Team Building
- Recruit, line-manage, and develop the central quality team as the organisation scales.
- Establish the quality and compliance function as a trusted internal resource for divisional leads, not a policing function.
- Contribute to recruitment and onboarding standards for teaching and coaching staff.
- Represent quality and compliance at SLT level. Contribute to board reporting on compliance and quality performance.
Key Performance Indicators
- Achievement and retention rates for apprenticeships and adult skills meet or exceed internal targets and national benchmarks.
- Zero material ILR errors or funding clawbacks arising from inadequate evidence or late submission.
- SAR and QIP demonstrate continuous improvement and readiness for inspection at all times.
- Compliance risk register maintained and reviewed at SLT level each month.
- Timely recruitment and development of quality team members in line with growth plan.
- Positive learner and employer satisfaction scores; complaints and escalations handled within agreed timescales.
- Ofsted inspection outcome reflects quality culture built during tenure.
Experience and Qualifications
Required
- Proven experience in a senior quality and/or compliance role within UK further education, apprenticeships, or adult skills.
- Direct knowledge of DfE funding rules, ILR requirements, and the consequences of non-compliance.
- Experience preparing for and managing Ofsted inspections, including producing SAR and QIP.
- Strong track record of improving achievement and retention in apprenticeship or adult skills provision.
- Experience of apprenticeship compliance, assessment verification, and occupational competence frameworks.
Desirable
- Experience working within a small or scaling provider, building central functions from scratch.
- Familiarity with Magn8 or equivalent LMS and/or apprenticeship management systems used for compliance evidence management.
- Relevant professional qualifications: teaching qualification, TAQA, or equivalent assessor award.
- Experience working with DfE funding assurance reviews or following up on audit findings.
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