Job Title: Interim Strategic Leader – Curriculum, Quality & Improvement
Duration: 3-Month Interim / Consultancy Assignment
Location: UK (Multi-site FE environment)
Day Rate: Competitive (DOE)
Overview
We are seeking an experienced interim strategic leader to provide short-term senior leadership support within a large, multi-site education provider at a critical point in its annual improvement cycle.
This is a high-impact, time-limited assignment focused on accelerating the delivery of key curriculum and quality priorities. The role is designed to bring clarity, pace and strategic assurance, rather than long-term operational management.
Key Objectives
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring that:
- Curriculum policy and strategy are implemented consistently and effectively
- Refreshed approaches to self-assessment and quality improvement are embedded and ready for the upcoming academic cycle
- Senior leaders are aligned, confident and rigorous in evaluating quality, impact and improvement priorities
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum & Quality Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight of curriculum policy and delivery across the organisation
- Ensure consistent understanding of curriculum expectations across departments
- Work closely with senior leadership to translate strategy into clear, actionable plans
- Identify risks, inconsistencies and gaps in implementation
- Align curriculum intent with teaching, learning, assessment and learner outcomes
Focus will be on embedding and refining existing frameworks, not wholesale redesign.
Quality Improvement & Self-Assessment
- Lead and quality assure the implementation of refreshed approaches to:
- Self-Assessment Reports (SARs)
- Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs)
- Ensure evaluation processes are:
- Evidence-based
- Impact-driven
- Proportionate and manageable
- Aligned with regulatory/inspection frameworks and organisational priorities
- Support leaders in producing robust, accurate and meaningful evaluations
- Act as a “critical friend”, providing both challenge and support
Strategic Assurance & Executive Support
- Provide clear and concise updates to the Executive Team on progress, risks and readiness
- Maintain delivery momentum across a complex, multi-site structure
- Support preparation for external scrutiny (e.g. Inspection, audit, peer review)
- Ensure improvement activity aligns with organisational strategy
Stakeholder Engagement
- Work collaboratively with senior leaders, curriculum teams and support functions
- Build shared ownership of new approaches without creating reliance
- Model strong evaluative practice and professional dialogue
- Communicate clearly and effectively during a period of change
Deliverables (End of Assignment)
By the end of the 3-month engagement, you will have delivered:
- A clear implementation plan for curriculum strategy across the organisation
- Fully operational and quality-assured SAR and QIP processes for the next academic year
- Improved consistency and robustness in quality evaluation across teams
- Practical tools, documentation and guidance to ensure sustainability
- A concise end-of-assignment report outlining:
- Impact achieved
- Key risks or gaps
- Recommended next steps
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven senior leadership experience within Further Education or a similar multi-site education setting
- Strong track record in curriculum strategy, quality improvement and inspection readiness
- Deep understanding of self-assessment and quality assurance frameworks (e.g. Ofsted EIF or equivalent)
- Experience driving consistency and alignment across complex organisations
- Ability to operate at pace, providing both strategic insight and practical delivery
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills