General Manager

General Manager (Training Provider)Bedford | Full-Time | Permanent£35,000 - £40,000 per year

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic General Manager to lead the operational management of our office support teams within a thriving Further Education and Independent Training Provider environment.

This pivotal leadership role will oversee:

• Programme Support Officers
• Coordination Supervisor and coordination team
• Data Coordinators
• Administrative staff

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining exceptional standards across:

• Operational performance
• Compliance
• Professionalism
• Safeguarding
• Data management
• Reporting
• Office culture

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in ensuring an efficient, compliant, and supportive organisation dedicated to education and learner success.

Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership

• Lead and manage all office-based operational support staff
• Ensure teams work efficiently, professionally, and collaboratively
• Monitor workloads and allocate resources effectively
• Support continuous improvement of operational systems and processes
• Ensure business priorities and learner needs are consistently met

Management Information & Reporting

• Ensure compliant and effective use of Management Information Systems (MIS)
• Maintain outstanding standards of data accuracy, integrity, and audit readiness
• Produce and oversee Power BI reports and operational dashboards
• Monitor KPIs, learner data, attendance, funding evidence, and performance metrics
• Support quality assurance and compliance activities relating to:
• ESFA
• Ofsted
• Awarding bodies
• Internal audits

Team Management & Culture

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture
• Maintain high standards of office conduct and professionalism
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, and staff performance
• Conduct:
• Team meetings
• Supervision sessions
• Performance reviews
• Support staff wellbeing, engagement, and development
• Address conduct or performance issues in line with company policies

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Ensure completion of mandatory safeguarding and compliance training
• Promote a strong safeguarding culture throughout the organisation
• Support adherence to:
• GDPR
• Health & Safety
• Equality & Diversity
• Prevent Duty
• Organisational policies
• Work closely with senior leadership to maintain full regulatory compliance

Essential Criteria Experience

• Significant experience within a Further Education college or Independent Training Provider (ITP)
• Proven experience managing operational or administrative teams
• Experience overseeing learner data, MIS systems, and funding compliance
• Strong Power BI and operational reporting experience
• Experience managing office operations and staff performance

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of FE funding and compliance requirements
• Excellent leadership and organisational skills
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
• High attention to detail and data accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• Confidence using:
• Microsoft Office
• MIS systems
• Reporting tools
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and compliance responsibilities

Desirable Criteria

• Experience preparing for Ofsted inspections or funding audits
• Knowledge of ESFA funding rules and learner evidence requirements
• ILM or management qualification
• Experience implementing operational improvement initiatives

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is:

• Professional and approachable
• Highly organised and proactive
• Supportive and people-focused
• Calm under pressure
• Solutions-oriented
• Committed to continuous improvement
• Passionate about education and learner success

What We Offer

• Opportunity to join a growing and innovative education organisation
• Supportive leadership team and collaborative culture
• Career development opportunities
• A meaningful role supporting learners and education delivery
• Office-based position with direct organisational impact

Important Information

The successful candidate will be subject to enhanced clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service and employment will be subject to references.

This post is not exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

To apply for this opportunity, please send your detailed CV to Clarus Education now to be considered. We will contact shortlisted candidates within 2 working days.

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