Head of Quality / Director of Quality

On the market now **** Candidate Spotlight **** is on my amazing Director of Quality and Compliance – available from June 2026 to start a new Full Time role within Quality Improvement  – open to working with training providers, Awarding Bodies and potentially looking outside of the sector into Housing and Social Care – Circa £65k+ Hybrid / Office South Wales / Remote –  What opportunities do you have on your team for my Head of Quality / Director of Quality ? My candidate is also open to any freelance, interim or NED roles.

Board-level Quality & Compliance Director with a proven track record of transforming learner outcomes, driving regulatory excellence and shaping strategy across multi‑million‑pound Welsh Government Work-Based Learning (WBL) contracts.  Specialist in Estyn readiness, digital curriculum innovation and subcontractor performance improvement, with influence across Welsh Government/Medr, Estyn, Qualifications Wales and National Training Federation for Wales policy networks.  Recognised for data‑driven decision‑making, sound governance, and embedding cultures of accountability and continuous improvement.  My candidate was 7 years with one provider and 15 years with another in Senior Quality manager roles.

Key Achievements

• Led quality strategy underpinning successful contract awards, commissioning activity, and strong Estyn inspection outcomes.
• Improved learner outcome rates (LOR) by 20% across provision through targeted, data‑led interventions and curriculum redesign.
• Strengthened performance across £2m+ subcontractor provision via robust performance management and support.
• Led implementation of digital curriculum strategy,

improving learner engagement and attainment.

• Established and embedded ISO9001 and matrix Standard, strengthening quality assurance and governance compliance frameworks
• Maintained high audit assurance with Welsh Government/Medr, consistently securing compliance with minimal actions and reduced organisational risk.

Core Expertise

• Quality Strategy & Improvement (Estyn readiness, SAR/QDP cycles, continuous improvement)
• Regulatory Compliance & Audit (Welsh Government/Medr, ISO 9001 frameworks)
• Leadership & Organisational Development (high‑performing teams, accountability culture, rapid-change management)
• Subcontractor & Partner Performance (complex provider networks, consistency, best practice)
• Data‑Driven Performance Management (OKR & KPI frameworks, performance intelligence, outcomes)
• Policy Development & Governance (translating national policy into operational delivery)

Director of Quality and Compliance

Board-level leader accountable for the quality, compliance and continuous improvement of a £10m+ Welsh Government Work-Based Learning contract, driving strategic alignment between quality performance, regulatory requirements and organisational growth.

Key Contributions & Impact

• Shaping Board-level strategy through data, policy insight and sector intelligence to drive organisational performance and OKRs.
• Leading organisation-wide quality strategy, improving learner outcomes, stakeholder satisfaction and inspection readiness
• Aligning quality performance with contract delivery, funding requirements and organisational growth
• Driving quality OKRs and KPIs aligned to financial, operational and contractual priorities
• Overseeing end-to-end quality and compliance frameworks, including Estyn, SAR, QDP and external quality assurance systems
• Strengthening subcontractor performance across £2m+ provision, improving consistency and accountability
• Directing digital curriculum innovation, embedding e-learning and next-generation delivery models
• Directing Welsh Government/Medr audit and compliance activity, maintaining high assurance and minimising risk

Sector Influence, Policy & Stakeholder Engagement

• Representing the organisation across the Welsh WBL sector, engaging with Welsh Government / Medr, Estyn, Qualifications Wales and National Training Federation for Wales. Current Chair of Cardiff Capital Region RSP HFE – Education, Health, Social Care, Childcare and Emergency Services cluster and sit on Employment and Skills Board
• Influencing policy development and interpretation through sector networks, consultations and working groups
• Translating national policy and regulatory change into operational strategy and delivery
• Contributing to sector priorities including quality, digital innovation and future skills
• Building strategic networks to share best practice and benchmark performance

Leadership, Financial Oversight & Capability Building

• Contributing at Finance Board level, aligning quality investment with organisational priorities
• Led strategic bid and tender activity, securing over £1m in commercial revenue and strengthening contract portfolio
• Driving workforce capability through targeted CPD and quality improvement strategies
• Leading and developing high-performing teams, embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Leadership & Management

• IMPD Director Development Programme (2020)
• ILM Level 5 Leadership & Management (2015)

Quality & Compliance

• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor
• Estyn PI Training (current)

Teaching & Learning

• TAQA L3&4 / Lead IQA Level 4 (2006-2009)
• ITT ET01 Introduction to Teacher Training (2008)
• Higher Apprenticeship in Advice and Guidance (2017)

Additional

• Lean Management (2024)
• Change and Project Management principles (2023-2025)
• Bids & Tender Training (2024)