Group Head of Employability

Please note that this post is funded for the 2026/27 academic year onwards so the successful candidate would not be expected to commence in post prior to August 2026.

South Thames Colleges Group are seeking a Group Head of Employability to provide strategic leadership for employability across the College Group, ensuring a consistent, high-quality approach to employer engagement and work placement opportunities across all colleges. A key aspect of this role is the line management of Heads of Employability within each college, ensuring cohesive planning, delivery, and evaluation of employability-related activities.

The role involves the overall development and implementation of a range of key initiatives to ensure all students benefit from meaningful employer interactions and are supported in developing essential employability skills. You will be responsible for preparing the College Group for the effective delivery of T Levels, including the planning and quality assurance of industry placements.

You will monitor the progress made by the colleges toward achieving set targets and ensure that health and safety regulations are adhered to, and that robust systems are in place for recording, reviewing, and quality assuring placements. Coordinating employer-led activities for all learners (16–19, T-Levels, apprentices, and HE students) such as Employability Weeks, Careers Fairs, industry-specific events, and guest speaker programmes, you will develop and maintain strategic relationships with employers, employer networks, and industry representatives to enhance opportunities for student progression into work or further training.

As our Group Head of Employability, you will hold a degree or relevant professional qualification in employability, education, business or a related field, together with a proven track record of successfully leading, managing and developing staff at both senior and cross-organisational levels.

You will bring a strong understanding of curriculum development, accreditation, validation and progression pathways, alongside comprehensive knowledge of quality assurance and improvement processes, with the ability to implement these effectively across multiple sites to enhance learner outcomes. You will also have significant experience in leading employer engagement strategies with a demonstrable ability to build and sustain successful partnerships. Experience of work-based learning provision, including T Levels, apprenticeships and vocational placements, is essential.

The successful candidate will be eligible for any increase in salary as a consequence of the annual cost of living review that will be implemented in the new academic year.

Closing date for the return of completed applications is 7th June 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 15th June 2026.

The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 37 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

South Thames Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to progress and achieve.