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SalaryWe recognise the increasing demand for a highly skilled workforce in the West Midlands. Our Employment and Skills Strategy is committed to equipping residents with the qualifications and training necessary to succeed in the evolving job market.
As the Senior Delivery Manager, you will be key in leading the development and implementation of our Higher-Level Skills Strategy. This strategy will focus on qualifications at level 4 and 5, aiming to address the specific needs of both residents and business within the region.
We are offering this role as a twelve-month fixed term contract.
We would welcome applications from candidates that wish to undertake this opportunity as an external secondment.
What will you be doing?
- Lead the WMCA Employment and Skills strategy's upskilling and reskilling pillar. Oversee programme development, implementation, and impact assessment to empower residents and businesses.
- Partner with key stakeholders from businesses and educational institutions to gather insights and feedback. Develop high-quality, sector-specific level 4 & 5 skills programmes that address the current and future needs of the workforce.
- Partner with government agencies (IfATE, DFE) to develop higher-level qualifications and enhance programme quality through occupational mapping.
- Foster collaboration with colleges, universities, and training providers to ensure the delivery of high-impact, relevant training programmes.
- Build upon existing level 3 programmes and expand level 4+ offerings to equip residents for workforce advancement.
- Develop commissioning plans and secure training providers based on established outcomes frameworks. Utilise data to measure programme effectiveness.
- Manage and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders (colleges, universities, training providers, local authorities) for a robust skills ecosystem.
- Design skills programmes aligned with Investment Zones and the Plan for Growth, maximising positive outcomes for residents and businesses.
- Use foresight techniques and scenario planning to anticipate future skills demands and inform strategic decision-making in areas like commissioning and career guidance.
- Identify capability gaps within the skills system (FE/HE) and implement collaborative initiatives to connect these elements.
- Develop mechanisms to monitor, evaluate, and report on the strategy's effectiveness and its impact on residents and employers.
- Increase employer participation in WMCA's targeted funding initiatives, supporting upskilling and reskilling efforts for a more highly skilled workforce.
- Proven experience managing and developing higher-level qualifications and training programmes within the skills and education sector.
- A strong track record of building strong relationships and collaborating effectively with senior leaders across diverse public and private sector environments.
- Demonstrated ability to implement clear objectives, drive performance improvements, and ensure successful project delivery.
- Extensive experience in establishing and managing collaborative partnerships to achieve organisational goals.
- Possesses a comprehensive understanding of the post-16 technical and vocational education and skills landscape.
- Strong strategic thinking, entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for achieving objectives.
- Proven ability to manage budgets and utilise data analysis tools for informed decision-making.
Please note, we do not see your CV once you have applied. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to format your profile so that it really stands out. Make sure to include your employment history and include any essential education and qualifications. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form.
Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK. If we make an offer of employment, we will need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work.
Salary and benefits.We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of paid annual leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers. For more details, please visit the benefits page on our careers site.
Hybrid working, location and working pattern.We believe hybrid working is the best way for our organisation to fulfil our commitment to a modern, agile workplace while continuing to provide a great service to our customers. Hybrid working means having flexibility between working in the office and at home on agreed days, where a role allows. This is agreed between an employee and their line manager, considering the business, team, and employee needs.
The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. Creating an inclusive workplace.Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.
We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.
We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future that we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments.If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk). We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.
Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.
Attached documents
SDM - Higher Level Skills.pdf
