Thatcham Research
Automotive Development Coach (FTC)
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Automotive Development Coach | Circa £41,690 + excellent benefits | 3-month FTC | Remote
At Thatcham Research, we’re passionate about developing the future of the automotive industry - and this role sits right at the heart of that mission. As an Automotive Development Coach, you’ll be the crucial link between apprentices, their employers, and Thatcham Research. You’ll inspire, support and guide learners throughout their apprenticeship journey - helping them grow their skills, stay on track, and achieve success in their End Point Assessment.
If you enjoy coaching others, building relationships, and making a real difference to people’s careers, this could be the perfect opportunity. This is a fixed-term contract for 3 months, ideally starting from early September on a full-time basis (although part-time applicants will be considered). This is a home-based role, but there will be a requirement to visit the Academy in Berkshire (maximum every other month).
Once settled in role, you'll be responsible for:
Coaching & Development
- Deliver structured, engaging coaching sessions aligned to apprenticeship standards
- Support apprentices to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
- Tailor learning plans to meet individual learner needs
Progress & Performance
- Lead regular progress reviews with apprentices and employers
- Identify risks early and implement effective interventions
- Set clear targets and milestones to drive success
Employer Engagement
- Act as the main point of contact between employers and Thatcham Research
- Build strong relationships with line managers and mentors
- Support employers to embed learning in the workplace
Assessment & EPA Preparation
- Guide apprentices in building strong portfolios of evidence
- Prepare learners for gateway and End Point Assessment (EPA)
- Deliver mock assessments and targeted coaching
Pastoral Support
- Provide ongoing encouragement, coaching and professional guidance
- Support wellbeing and confidence, escalating concerns when needed
- Champion equality, diversity and inclusion
Quality & Compliance
- Maintain accurate and compliant learner records
- Ensure all activity meets apprenticeship funding and audit requirements
You’ll collaborate closely with:
- Apprentices and their workplace mentors
- Employers and hiring managers
- Thatcham Academy training and admin teams
Skills & experience that will set you up for success in this role:
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about developing others and thrives in a coaching environment.
Essential experience & skills:
- Experience mentoring, coaching or assessing apprentices, within the Automotive industry
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Excellent organisation and planning capability
- Ability to problem-solve and manage learner progress effectively
- A recognised technical qualification (e.g. NVQ/C&G’s or similar)
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Knowledge & mindset:
- Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion
- Confidence using digital systems (e.g. MS Office, LMS platforms)
- A professional, ethical and learner-focused approach
Qualifications:
- Teaching qualification (essential)
- Assessor qualification (desirable)
- (This role requires an Enhanced DBS check to be carried out on appointment)
Why join Thatcham Research?
You’ll be joining a purpose-driven organisation at the forefront of automotive innovation and safety - where developing people is just as important as developing technology.
In this role, you’ll:
- Make a real, visible impact on learners’ careers
- Work in a supportive, collaborative Academy team
- Be empowered to coach, influence and shape future talent
Did you know... 💡
Research tells us that men are more likely to apply to jobs if they meet only 60% of the criteria, whereas women often hesitate or don't apply unless they meet all of the criteria. This difference in application behaviour can contribute to the gender gap in career advancement and opportunities. We know the perfect candidate doesn't exist! If you think you have what it takes but don't tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply - it could be a perfect fit!
Perks & Benefits 👀
- Salary - Circa £41,690 negotiable dependent on skills & experience.
- 10% non-contributory pension
- 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays
- Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)
- Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)
- Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)
- Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure
- Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform
- Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)
- Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)
- Reward & Recognition Programme
- Discounted gym membership
- Sports & Social club
- Payroll charitable giving
- Subsidised on-site restaurant
- Free on-site parking
When we work 🕒
Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn’t quite suit you – we take work-life balance seriously!)
How we work 🏠 / 🏢
As an Automotive Development Coach, you will be fully remote / homebased and required to visit the training Academy in Berkshire once every other month.
What we do ⚙️
At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry. Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.
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Our Values 🧡
As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging 🫶
We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change. Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.
Recruitment process 💻
We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.
What can you expect from our recruitment process? 🫱🏻 🫲🏽
- Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application
- An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner
- First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams
- Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)
- Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!
- An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above
Check out our post on using AI during your application and interview!
We’re committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.
All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.
If you experience any technical issues when completing your application, please get in touch at people.team@thatcham.org and we’ll be happy to help.
To ensure fairness and protect your data, we’re unable to accept applications or CVs via email. The best way to apply and to stay updated on your progress, is through our online application form.
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