Dear Applicant,

Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement

South Staffordshire College is a college like no other, we think differently, work smarter, love what we do and have fun doing it. We believe that a creative flair is a must no matter what the role, as is the ability to inspire others to new ways of thinking through a passionate commitment to the purpose of the organisation, specifically to unlock potential.

TheDirector of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at South Staffordshire College is a pivotal and exciting role that provides an opportunity for you to shape and deliverthe future growth strategy within one of the most successful colleges in the country.The focus of the role has been revised following the promotion of the previous post holder to anexternal role.

We’re looking for someone whose experience and insight is matched bynetworking and ambassadorial skills. Communication, influencing and partnerships will be second nature to you, and you’ll have a firm grasp of how to achieve strategic objectives by workingcollaboratively across the organisation. Entrepreneurial, creative, and motivated by challenge, you’ll relish the scope and complexity of the role – and will enable us to make the most of our considerable potential.

The College is seeking an outstanding candidate with a strong demonstrable understanding of business development and progressive approaches to delivery models that support growth and continues to enhance the College’s reputation across our business communities.

Whilst having experience and an understanding of strategic business development, the ideal candidate will possess proven experience of managing significant direct apprenticeship delivery, full cost work and employer led provision, alongside a detailed understandingof contract management and quality monitoring and improvement.

If you can relate to a College as forward looking as this, and have what it takes to sign up to an ambitious growth agenda we would like to hear from you.

Informal discussions are welcome and you can contact me by email on by telephone on 07880 902407or James Whybrow, the current Director of Enterprise & MISby email on by telephone on 07870 685743.

Rob Boucherat

Deputy Principal

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The application process

Applications should be submitted using the application form provided no later than 12 noon, Monday 1September 2014.

Applications should be submitted to

Applications will be short listed by Wednesday 3 September 2014.

The selection process will be held on Friday 12 September 2014.

Selection Assessment Activities:

  • Panel Interview
  • Presentation
  • Discussions with the Employer Engagement Team
  • Personality/Emotional Intelligence Profiling

An interview with a panel comprising:

  • Rob Boucherat, Deputy Principal
  • Vanessa Howard, Vice Principal
  • James Whybrow, Director of Enterprise and MIS
  • Deborah Smith, Assistant Director of HR

Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement

Job Description

As a custodian of the organisation, our Directors will be externally recognised for their quality, commitment and advocacy. They will be acknowledged for their technical expertise and professional attitude.

As a leader, our Directors will focus on the wellbeing and happiness of our staff, supporting personal development, encouraging aspiration and developing the skills and talent of our people, creating a sense of advocacy across the College.

Our courage, belief, ambition, purpose, principles and values will help to secure the happiness and wellbeing of our communities for future generations.

The Director of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement will have strategic responsibility for the delivery of the College’s agreed Purpose, underpinning Core Principles and Critical Success Factors these being;

Purpose;

To transform the life chances of our communities.

“To work together to raise aspirations and success through excellence in all that we do whilst striving to achieve the best sustainable practices.”

Core Principles;

Togetherness - Respect and value all those we come into contact with

Standards - Consistently deliver the highest quality in all that we do

Sustainability - Promote the best sustainable practices

Customer Care - Put learners and customers at the heart of everything we do

Critical Success Factors;

Growth – Learner Numbers, Largest College in Staffordshire, Employer Volume, Commercial Income, Stakeholder Engagement

Learner performance – Outstanding Customer Results, Ofsted Outstanding, Learner satisfaction, Customer Care

Finances – Framework for Excellence, Surplus for Investment, Health Indicators, Achieve Internal Targets

Staff – 2020 Behaviours, IiP, Employer of Choice, Leadership Development

Facilities – Estates Strategy, e-Learning Strategy, Eco-Campus

Job Profile

To provide leadership and overall management of the delivery of the Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement provision for the College.

Scope of Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic vision, leadership and decision-making on all aspects of curriculum, development, delivery, performance management and quality improvement.
  • Develop processes and procedures that ensure Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement activities are effectively and efficiently managed and that appropriate data and other information that facilitates effective monitoring is developed and implemented.
  • Monitor the quality and delivery of partnership contracts and payment schedules.
  • Work with partner organisations and external bodies to develop effective relationships that successfully deliver external contracts, including co-financing projects.
  • Manage a range of projects as required including directly managing under -performing areas.
  • Support managers in the successful collaboration of joint curriculum and Apprenticeship delivery.
  • Manage a team of staff including the provision of support and staff development to ensure departmental success.
  • Ensure that the management and development of the provision including delivery of programmes is of the highest standard and that the curriculum meets the needs of the business, employers and learners.
  • Work effectively to develop a highly skilled and effective management and staff team to meet quality, performance and contractual targets.
  • To ensure the structure of the Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement team supports the implementation and sharing of best practice.
  • Effectively and efficiently utilise departmental staff, resources and budgets to meet departmental and business needs.
  • Effective planning of all employer responsive funding allocations and to ensure that delivery maximises funding opportunities.
  • Ensure that delivery provides values for money and contributes to College financial targets.
  • Review, with others, the provision offered by the department to ensure an outstanding experience for all learners based on quality, demand and funding criteria.
  • Provide a service to support the delivery of training solutions, such that the Colleges reputation is for responsiveness and excellence. This will include the organisation and delivery of short courses where the College does not already have a track record, and the establishment of a consultant/trainer register.
  • Manage and monitor business planning, delivery, self-assessment and quality improvement activities of the team.
  • Lead on the development and implementation of a whole College employer engagement strategy encompassing Apprenticeships, Traineeships and 16-18 Study Programmes.
  • Leading role in building and maintaining relationships with employer organisations with a view of securing profitable business and promoting the College values and ethos.
  • Work with employers to identify their needs and to respond with innovative, flexible provision that is cost effective for the College.
  • Identify bidding opportunities and support the production of submissions.
  • Represent the college and the department at corporate, regional and national meetings as necessary.
  • Provide quantitative and qualitative data and reports as required.
  • To lead, develop and implement new areas of delivery and growth such as Traineeships.
  • Provide leadership and management, promote discipline and good conduct and encourage commitment of staff by leading by example.
  • Oversee the workloads of staff, set and review performance targets and conduct staff annual performance review and performance management and monitoring.

Corporate Key Accountabilities in relation to:

Governance and Management

  • To be influential in the strategic planning processes within the framework set by the Board.
  • To provide and present strategically focussed reports and updates as requested by the Board.
  • Develop, maintain and implement the policies set by the Board.

Provision

  • To drive the continuous development of our provision to be market focused and inspiring. Our destination driven curriculum will provide for the future skills needs of employers enabling them to prosper.
  • To ensure we harness the best technologies to support innovation and in our business operations and curriculum delivery.
  • To recognise that our technology enabled estate enables immersive learning and inspiring teaching whilst also facilitating connectivity and collaboration.
  • To support out investment in personal development, encouraging aspiration, supporting the skills and talent of our people and creating a sense of advocacy.

Quality Management

  • Your commitment to achieving world class standards will create a high performance culture underpinned by an ethos of ownership and continuous improvement. You will embed quality principles in every process and will enable our people to be custodians of everything we do.
  • To provide leadership that ensures the College as a responsive provider of high quality provision.

Leadership

  • To lead by example with innovative leadership and to act as an ambassador of South Staffordshire College.
  • To recognise the power of networks and strive to support the college in being an exemplary, open and social organisation.
  • As a values driven leader in our organisation, your commitment to world-class standards and doing the ‘right thing’ will support our future success.

Physical and Financial Resource Management

  • Growth and prosperity will come from unlocking potential, diversification and collaboration with organisations that share our commitment, purpose and passion.
  • To ensure optimum and efficient utilisation of physical and financial resources.
  • To ensure that the Financial Memorandum, Regulations and Procedures are adhered to.

Line-Management of Designated Staff

  • The College believes that future success is reliant upon the creativity, commitment and passion of its staff.
  • In a rapidly changing world we will secure and retain creative, courageous people with the skills to create inspiring learning spaces where everyone can fulfill their real potential.
  • We will recognise the success of our people and will celebrate their achievements. Our staff and learners will belong to a community of advocates who are passionate about what they do.
  • To effectively line manage respective team members and provide support to these employees including their annual performance review and personal/professional development.

Other Duties

  • To undertake such other duties as the Chief Executive Principal may, from time to time, determine in consultation with the post holder to ensure the continued existence, viability and progress of the College.

This specification is current at August 2014 and is representative of the range of duties/responsibilities expected of the post. The duties and responsibilities are neither static nor exhaustive and are liable to variation to reflect any future changes required of this post, as determined by the Chief Executive Principal.

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