Blackpool and The Fylde College
Director Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC) North West
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Director Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC) North West
Director – Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC)
At Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC), we’re making a real difference—empowering individuals through high-quality technical and professional education, driving regional prosperity, and fostering opportunity through technical excellence and innovation. As a leading further education college and exempt charity, we serve over 12,500 students and employ 1,000+ colleagues, ensuring social mobility, inclusion, and success for years to come.
The Role
We seek an inspirational and strategically visionary Director to lead the Defence Technical Excellence College (DTEC), a nationally designated college specialising in delivering critical defence skills. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of defence workforce development at an operational and sector leadership level.
You will:
- Establish high-performing, employer-led technical college models in alignment with national defence, industrial, and skills priorities.
- Ensure the DTEC is recognised for its credibility among defence employers and trustworthiness with government.
- Drive transformative impact for learners, fostering workforce capability across the defence ecosystem.
Positioned at the intersection of education, industry, and national policy, this role demands excellence in delivering social, economic, and national impact at scale.
How You’ll Make an Impact
Leadership & Strategy
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to build and expand a nationally recognised Defence Technical Excellence College.
- Delegate model with clear accountability for effectiveness, day-to-day management, and longevity of the DTEC programme.
Stakeholder Relations & Collaboration
- Cultivate strong, influential partnerships with:
- Defence employers
- Government stakeholders
- Regional and national policymakers
- Ensure curriculum aligns with current and future skills needs.
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Outcomes & Delivery
- Lead successful programme implementation, ensuring adherence to milestones, KPIs, and operational priorities.
- Oversee performance monitoring, strategic interventions, and financial stewardship.
Curriculum & Innovation
- Champion technical education excellence, driving innovation in:
- Curriculum design
- Teaching methodologies
- Employer-embedded training
- Promote centre of excellence standards in defence technical fields.
Advocacy & Policy
- Represent the DTEC at regional and national levels, shaping:
- Policy
- Practice
- Collaborations in the defence workforce landscape.
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure rigorous governance, compliance, and management across:
- Funding obligations
- Safeguarding
- Security protocols
- Judicial review processes
What We Offer
You’ll join a values-driven institution committed to empowering colleagues and students alike. Here’s what B&FC has to offer:
Core Benefits
- 43 days’ enhanced annual leave (full-time equivalent), inclusive of bank holidays
- 5 additional "gifts days" during Christmas closure (pro-rated for part-time staff)
- Everyday payments (non-standard contracted hours in line with Higher Education)
Pension & Financial Support
- Competitive pension scheme:
- Standard Employer Contribution: 30.3% (based on current structure)
- For staff in Higher Education over 30s, a 28.68% contribution via the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS)
- For Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) positions, an 8.1% employer contribution
Development & Career Growth
- £1.8M investment annually in colleague development and professional qualifications
- Most generous L&D programme in a public sector body
- On-the-job coaching and leadership training
- Dedicated opportunities to advance learning and personal goals
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Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing
- Agile working policies
- Discounted or complimentary access to gyms, sports facilities, healthy breakfast, onsite salon
- **«**RESPECT and Support » culture:
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Occupational Health
- Free flu vouchers, chief physician mental health support
- Free eye tests
- Optometry Clinic
- Family-friendly policies, including a campus childcare facility during school holidays
Professional Subsidies
- Accommodation support for renumerative staff in HHonoraryQuarters/furnished flats
- Ongoing fee-free professional association memberships
Inclusivity & Safety
- A commitment to safeguarding for learners and staff
- Requirement to undergo enhanced DBS checks as part of employment onboarding
About Working with Us
At Blackpool and Fylde College (B&FC), we’re guided by our CAREER values:
- Community
- Authenticity
- Relentless Optimism
- Everyone Included
- Excellent
- Respect
A Supportive Recruitment Process
We actively support accessible recruitment to ensure all candidates are given a fair chance. If you require any adjustments, please contact the hiring manager or People Team prior to your interview.
❓ Note: A full application is required for this role—CV submissions alone will not be considered.
Programme Highlights
- Partial apprenticeship funding programme: Negotiating discounts with key providers leads to increased opportunities
- Interactive group-based platforms focussed on shaping next-gen skills strategies
- Culturally diverse environment fostering ambitious approach and guerrilla optimism
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