Job Description

The Role:

Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) is seeking an ambitious and values-driven leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Director of Higher Education. This is a pivotal opportunity to lead the strategic development of Higher Education programmes at Level 4 and above, ensuring academic standards are safeguarded while driving the growth of a vibrant and innovative curriculum that responds to local, regional, and national priorities. The post is full-time and based across our campuses on the Fylde Coast.



As a senior leader, you will champion excellence in teaching, learning, and student experience while building on B&FC's strong reputation as one of the UK's leading providers of college-based Higher Education. This is a role with significant scope to shape the future of HE at B&FC, influencing outcomes for students, apprentices, employers, and communities.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

As Director of Higher Education, your key responsibilities will include:


Providing outstanding HE leadership, developing and delivering a bold HE Strategy aligned to B&FC's vision, mission, and values. Safeguarding and enhancing academic standards across all HE provision, ensuring compliance with regulatory and awarding frameworks (OfS, Ofsted, Skills England, awarding bodies). Leading the continuous development of a future-focused, industry-aligned HE curriculum, including higher and degree apprenticeships, delivered through innovative and flexible models. Driving improvements in student outcomes, progression, and the overall HE experience in collaboration with colleagues across Student Services, Quality and Standards, and academic teams. Strengthening B&FC's HE academic community through scholarship, research, and professional development opportunities, enhancing staff expertise and academic reputation. Maintaining and growing successful external partnerships, including Lancaster University and B&FC's own Bachelor Degree Awarding Powers (BDAP). Promoting a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and high performance across all HE provision, ensuring quality assurance, student voice, and employer engagement are embedded at every level.

About Higher Education at B&FC:

B&FC is one of the largest providers of college-based Higher Education in England, with a distinctive reputation for technical education, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to widening participation. Our HE community is dynamic and diverse, offering pathways from Level 4 to full honours degrees, with outstanding progression opportunities for students and apprentices. We are proud of our successful partnership with Lancaster University and of our own powers to award degrees, which provide unique opportunities for innovation and growth.

Why Join Us?

You will be joining a progressive, sector-leading institution recognised for its technical excellence, student success, and role in driving social mobility and economic growth. As part of the College's leadership team, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of Higher Education at scale - developing programmes that transform lives and deliver meaningful impact for learners, employers, and communities.

Interested? Apply Early!

We may close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications, so if this exciting leadership role aligns with your values and expertise, please submit your application by 12:00pm on Thursday 23rd October 2025.

Rewards and Benefits

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Blackpool and The Fylde College is proud to be Great Place To Work Certified(TM)


Enhanced leave allowance of

43

days

(full-time equivalent), inclusive of bank holidays Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave Competitive pension scheme: + Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) -

28.68%

employer contribution
+ Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) -

15.4%

employer contribution

Extensive professional development opportunities for all, with B&FC choosing to invest circa. 1.8m annually in colleague development and professional qualifications Agile working opportunities Enhanced Family friendly policies Extensive wellbeing provision including, but not limited to: + Access to funded Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) available 24/7, 365 days a year
+ Occupational Health
+ FREE Flu Vouchers for those not entitled through the NHS
+ FREE eye tests
+ Dedicated Wellbeing Hub available to all colleagues containing rich and varied content with resources relating to emotional, physical, financial and social wellbeing
+ FREE healthy breakfast
+ Sports facilities including fully equipped gym and discounted memberships
+ Health and beauty salon
+ Trim Trails on Campus (guided routes for walks)

Onsite food outlets and Starbucks at subsidised rates FREE car parking Car lease scheme Cycle to work scheme Onsite kids 'Sports Camp' 8am - 5pm during selected half-term breaks



B&FC is committed to the promotion of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in all resourcing practices. Please email jobs@blackpool.ac.uk should a specific adjustment be required to support in the application and selection process


B&FC is dedicated to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of all learners, and expects all colleagues to share in this commitment. As such, employment at B&FC is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. For further information on DBS, please click here


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Job Type

Permanent

Curriculum / Service Area

Executive

Campus / Location

Various

Hours per week

37

Part-Year?

No

Post scale

Spot Salary

Post Scale Range (FTE)

70,000 - 80,000

Closing Date

23/10/2025