Adult and Community Education Manager
Itchen College is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Adult and Community Education Manager to join our team. This leadership role is essential in shaping and delivering high-impact learning opportunities for adults, helping them achieve their career aspirations and significantly improving their life chances.
About the Role
This is a flexible, outward-facing role ideal for someone who enjoys variety and is motivated by seeing the impact of their work in local communities. You will work across college sites, community venues, and with partner organisations to design, deliver, and manage adult education that changes lives.
You will work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders — including Job Centres, community organisations, and local authorities — to deliver high-quality, responsive learning opportunities.
As the Adult and Community Education Manager, you will coordinate and manage community learning courses to ensure effective delivery and alignment with community needs. You will represent the college at stakeholder events, fostering relationships and promoting Adult & Community Education programmes. Compliance is key, and you will ensure subcontract paperwork meets contract and audit requirements while providing leadership and professional development for teaching and community learning staff. Regular team meetings will be held to address operational issues, and you will assist in marketing activities to enhance programme visibility.
Communication with adult students regarding courses will be crucial, as will overseeing student registration and assessing course viability in collaboration with the Director. Developing and maintaining partnerships with external stakeholders is a vital part of the role, along with ensuring compliance with funding eligibility and audit requirements.
We are looking for someone with a real passion for supporting adult learners and improving their life chances. Proven experience in project and people management within an educational or community setting is essential. Experience managing subcontracts, developing external partnerships, or delivering publicly funded programmes would be highly advantageous. Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills are a must, as is a flexible approach to delivering training and managing courses. A clear commitment to delivering high-quality teaching and learning for students is required.
The successful applicant must be prepared to travel across Hampshire, with travel expenses paid. The role involves working with Job Centres and community organizations to provide targeted learning opportunities.
About Itchen College's Adult & Community Education
Our curriculum is designed to support adults in achieving qualifications and vocational skills, addressing local and national priorities. We proactively support local people back into work through sector-specific courses and employability skills, developing partnerships to meet local and national needs. We actively seek funding to expand our provision and create new learning pathways. Employability skills are embedded in our curriculum to boost learners’ confidence and aspirations, and our robust ESOL programs have supported many learners, including refugees. Our courses focus on developing confidence, resilience, and soft skills along with qualifications.
Key Strengths:
- Ambitious Curriculum: Our curriculum is designed to support adults in achieving the qualifications and vocational skills needed for their career aspirations, addressing local and national priorities.
- Proactive Approach: We support local people back into work through sector-specific courses and embedded employability skills, with partnerships with local employers and initiatives like work academies.
- Partnership Development: We excel in developing partnerships to consult on demand, skills gaps, and meeting local and national needs.
- Funding and Growth: Actively seeking funding opportunities to expand our provision, creating additional pathways and entry points through community learning.
- Employability Focus: Embedding employability skills in our curriculum to boost learners’ self-confidence and future aspirations.
- Strong ESOL Provision: Our robust ESOL programs have supported many learners, including refugees, enhancing their language skills and employability.
- Holistic Support: Our courses not only focus on qualifications but also on developing confidence, resilience, and soft skills crucial for personal and professional success.
Our Mission
We aim to provide excellence for all learners through a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the needs of local people, supporting them back into work and improving their life chances through skill development and knowledge enhancement. We are committed to social mobility and strive to support our community’s most disadvantaged members, enabling them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives.
Strategic Priorities
- Excellence in Learning: Deliver outstanding education and a dynamic curriculum.
- Outstanding Outcomes: Ensure excellent progress and strong achievement for all students.
- Growth and Partnerships: Foster growth through student and staff development, beneficial partnerships, and responsive community engagement.
- Sustainability: Maintain financial strength and outstanding resources.
Apply now to make a difference in the lives of adult learners across Hampshire!
Contract: Permanent, 37 hours p/w, 52 weeks p/a
Salary: Support Staff SCP 23-25 (Currently £41,019 - £43,143)
Closing date: Friday 20th November 2026
Interview date: Thursday 26th November 2026
Start date: December 2026
Applications may close early depending on response to advert.
Itchen College is a thriving Sixth Form College with a broad curriculum offer to meet the needs of the local community. The college is situated in pleasant surroundings to the east of Southampton with excellent local transport links. Ofsted inspected the college in September 2024, grading overall provision as Outstanding with Outstanding Quality of Education, Outstanding Behaviour and Attitudes, Outstanding Leadership and Management, Outstanding Education Programmes for Young People and Outstanding Provision for Learners with High Needs.
Responsibilities
To lead and manage the design, development, and delivery of adult and community education provision, ensuring high-quality learning opportunities, excellent student outcomes, strong partnerships, and positive impact across local communities.
Curriculum Vision and Development
• Developing and enacting the strategic vision for Adult and Community Learning in conjunction with the Director and Senior Leadership Team.
• Leading on curriculum planning and innovation to ensure responsive, inclusive and locally relevant provision.
• Designing a curriculum that supports adult learners’ career aspirations, personal development, and social mobility, including community learning and targeted employability programmes.
Strategic and Operational Planning
• Contributing to the strategic direction of adult education and ensuring alignment with local and national skills priorities.
• Planning and overseeing the delivery of adult and community programmes across college sites and partner venues.
• Ensuring course viability and contributing to decisions on course continuation or closure.
Student Support and Communication
• Leading on student communication and engagement throughout the learner journey — from enquiry and enrolment to induction, course guidance and progression.
• Ensuring robust systems are in place to monitor and improve student attendance, behaviour and achievement in conjunction with tutors and administrative teams.
• Supporting inclusive practice, responding to individual learner needs, and providing high-quality information, advice and guidance.
Safeguarding
• Promoting and supporting the safeguarding and welfare of vulnerable adults and children across all areas of delivery.
• Ensuring staff and partners adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures.
Budget and Resource Management
• Leading on the planning, monitoring, and effective use of adult learning budgets and resources.
• Overseeing tutor pay claims to ensure timely and accurate processing.
Staff Leadership and Development
• Line managing a team of tutors and support staff, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Supporting recruitment, induction, CPD, and performance management processes including managing absence and performance concerns as required.
• Chairing team meetings and ensuring strong internal communication and collaboration.
Compliance and Quality Assurance
• Ensuring compliance with external funding requirements, including eligibility, audit paperwork, and contractual obligations.
• Managing and quality assuring subcontracted provision in collaboration with administration and finance teams.
• Contributing to the production of the Self-Assessment Report (SAR), Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and internal quality cycles.
• Monitoring student achievement rates, analysing outcomes, and driving quality improvements.
Partnership and Employer Engagement
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with external stakeholders including Job Centres, community organisations, local authorities and employers.
• Working collaboratively with partners to co-design provision that meets local needs and closes skills gaps.
• Representing the College at partnership events, contract meetings and stakeholder forums.
Marketing and Promotion
• Leading on the promotion of adult learning opportunities through targeted marketing, outreach and community engagement.
• Supporting student recruitment through open events, community presence and referral partnerships.
• Producing promotional materials in collaboration with marketing staff to enhance visibility and participation.
Progression and Destinations
• Monitoring and supporting adult learner progression internally and externally, including employment, volunteering, and further learning.
• Collecting and analysing destinations data to inform curriculum design and partnership development.
Cross-College Contribution
• Collaborating with Directors of Curriculum, faculty leads and central services to ensure joined-up provision and effective referrals.
• Participating in cross-college projects and working groups to drive inclusive growth and community impact.
• Supporting College priorities around widening participation, employability and community transformation.
Systems and Data Management
• Using Pro-Solution / Pro-Monitor to maintain accurate learner and course records.
• Developing and refining operational systems to ensure efficiency and responsiveness.
College Policies and Culture
• Working within the framework of College policies including Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, and Quality Assurance.
• Promoting the values and mission of the College and acting as an ambassador for Adult and Community Learning.
Skills
Relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification or experience
Recent experience in managing or coordinating adult education programmes or similar projects
Experience of working with community organisations and stakeholders
Experience of managing staff and providing professional development
Experience in monitoring and ensuring compliance with funding and audit requirements
Effective leadership and management skills
Excellent communication skills with staff, students, and external stakeholders
Strong organisational, planning, and administrative skills
Benefits
Values-driven culture - we’re really proud of our culture. We’re looking for someone who is as driven by our college values as we are!
Learning and Development - access to support and resources to drive your own development.
Free parking - free on-site parking, as well as good public transport links.
Eyecare Scheme
Cycle2Work Scheme
Free On-site Gym & Sports Facilities
Free Flu Jabs
Free Hot Drinks for Staff
Canteen - freshly prepared food with plenty of choice.
1 Life Event Day - to recognise life’s big moments like a wedding, graduation, moving house.
Staff Discount Schemes - discounts and deals on national attractions, entertainment, days out, theme parks, holiday insurance and many national retailers.
Employee Loyalty Celebration Reward Scheme - cash and rewards to acknowledge and celebrate staff commitment and loyalty to the College.
On-Site College Nursery with priority given to college staff
Access to College Library
Free College WiFi
Compassionate Leave - up to 5 days paid time off to attend to matters relating to the death or serious illness of a loved one.
Counselling Service - Access to qualified therapy-based support.
Pension Scheme - Enrolment to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) (eligibility criteria applies).