Deputy Head – Engineering & Automotive

Deputy Head – Engineering & Automotive

Salisbury

£42,511 rising to £44,419 per year

Are you an experienced Lecturer, Curriculum Manager, FE leader or engineering and automotive industry professional with a recognised teaching qualification and expertise in Engineering or Automotive? Ready to step into a leadership role where you can shape the future of technical education and inspire the next generation of skilled professionals?

We are seeking an ambitious Deputy Head for Engineering & Automotive to work alongside the Head of Faculty, driving excellence in teaching, learning and assessment while leading curriculum innovation that prepares learners for careers in the engineering and automotive industries.

Based at our Salisbury Campus, you'll join a thriving technical learning environment with specialist workshops, industry-standard equipment and strong employer partnerships, delivering vocational, technical and apprenticeship programmes that support regional skills priorities.

In this role, you will play a key part in providing curriculum leadership, supporting and developing colleagues, and ensuring our programmes remain innovative, relevant and aligned with the rapidly evolving engineering and automotive sectors. You will champion outstanding teaching, strengthen employer engagement, and contribute to continuous improvement across the faculty.

With up to 50% teaching remission, you'll have dedicated time to focus on leadership, curriculum innovation, quality improvement, employer partnerships and staff development, enabling you to make a lasting impact while maintaining your connection to teaching and learners.

What We Offer

Salary: £42,511 rising to £44,419 per year **This role qualifies for a £3,000 pro rata Specialist Skills Shortage Bonus for applicants who hold a Level 3 qualification or higher in Engineering or a related subject** 

Contract: Permanent, Full-time 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Benefits include:

• Teachers' Pension Scheme
• 37 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays
• 2-week Christmas closure + wellbeing days
• Free on-site gym facilities
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 support)
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Retail, travel & leisure discounts
• Ongoing professional development and leadership progression opportunities

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting leadership across Engineering and Automotive curriculum areas
• Driving improvements in teaching, learning, learner achievement and retention
• Leading curriculum development aligned with employer needs, technological innovation and industry standards
• Supporting and developing teaching staff through coaching, mentoring and performance management
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with employers, manufacturers and industry stakeholders
• Monitoring learner progress and implementing effective interventions to maximise student success
• Contributing to quality assurance, self-assessment and inspection preparation
• Supporting apprenticeship, study programme and adult learning provision where appropriate

What You'll Bring

• A Level 4 (or above) teaching qualification
• A relevant Level 3 qualification and/or substantial industry experience in Engineering, Automotive or a related technical discipline
• Experience of curriculum coordination or leadership within Further Education or a similar educational setting
• Strong understanding of quality assurance, curriculum planning and performance improvement
• Excellent communication, organisational and team leadership skills
• A commitment to delivering an outstanding learner experience and preparing students for employment, apprenticeships and higher-level study

Why Join Us?

This role offers an exciting opportunity for an ambitious curriculum leader to influence the future direction of Engineering and Automotive education within a supportive, forward-thinking college.

At Salisbury Campus, you will:

• Help shape an innovative curriculum aligned with regional and national engineering and manufacturing skills priorities
• Work alongside experienced and supportive colleagues committed to learner success
• Develop strong partnerships with employers, manufacturers and industry professionals
• Influence teaching excellence, curriculum innovation and quality improvement
• Play a key role in developing the skilled workforce needed to support the future of engineering, automotive and advanced manufacturing industries

Take the Next Step

If you are ready to take on a leadership role that will help shape high-quality Engineering and Automotive education while supporting learners to achieve their ambitions, we would love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 19/08/26 

Vacancies may close early if sufficient applications have been received; therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Safer Recruitment

Wiltshire College & University Centre follows Safer Recruitment Guidance outlined by the Department for Education in ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’. This involves conducting enhanced DBS checks, including checks against the children’s barred list, and other employment verifications, including an online presence review for shortlisted candidates.

We embrace diversity, recognising the valuable perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and cultures individuals from different backgrounds bring. Committed to safeguarding, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we pledge to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy and assess them based on their abilities.