Strategic Development Lead

Strategic Development Lead – Adult Skills Programmes

Directorate

Strategy & Inclusive Growth

Grade

F17

Salary

£47,181-£52,413

Reports to

Head of Adult Skills Programmes

Location

East Midlands

Direct Reports

Up to 3

Help Shape the Future of Adult Skills Across the East Midlands

We are looking for an experienced and strategic thinker to join our Adult Skills Programmes team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence how adult skills funding is commissioned and delivered across the region, ensuring residents have access to high-quality learning that supports progression into sustainable employment while meeting the needs of employers and the wider economy.

As the Strategic Development Lead, you will be the critical link between policy and delivery, supporting the commissioning, implementation and continuous improvement of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), Skills Bootcamps and other devolved adult skills programmes.

Working within a complex political, commercial and partnership environment, you will collaborate with internal teams, education providers, local authorities, employers and other key stakeholders to ensure programmes deliver maximum economic and social impact.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead and support the strategic commissioning of adult skills programmes aligned to regional priorities and labour market need.

• Build strong collaborative relationships across internal teams and external partners to create seamless learner progression pathways into and within employment.

• Develop innovative learning and training programmes that support residents from education into work and progression whilst in work.

• Work closely with programme leads to design funding specifications, monitor delivery, analyse performance data and recommend funding decisions.

• Produce high-quality reports, board papers and business cases to support strategic decision-making and programme development.

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of major devolved funding programmes, ensuring compliance with national and local funding requirements.

• Identify opportunities to improve services, promote best practice and maximise social value through commissioning activity.

• Provide expert advice to senior leaders and partners on adult skills policy, programme delivery and emerging sector developments.