Description
* Suffolk County Council
* Address: Endeavour House Ipswich IP1 2BX -Hybrid working
* Salary: £60,135 per annum (pro rata for part time)
* Hours: 37 hours -flexible working options available
* Contract: Permanent
This advert is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Suffolk County Council. We're looking for a creative and driven Head of Centre for Learning - Corporate to help us reimagine public services for the 21st century. If you're passionate about finding new solutions and making a real difference, we want to hear from you.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Suffolk County Council's Centre for Learning is a new service, grown from the Children and Young People and Adult Social Care Workforce Development service and the Corporate Learning and Development team, that brings together all aspects of training, learning and professional development across many different areas. The Centre for Learning is grounded in strong relational values that champion trust, respect, and empowerment. It nurtures a culture of continuous learning where professionals are encouraged to form meaningful relationships and adopt a solution-focused mindset that highlights strengths and explores possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
As Head of the Centre for Learning - Corporate, you will lead the strategic planning and delivery of a high‑quality, responsive and value‑for‑money learning and development offer across Suffolk County Council. Working collaboratively with leaders, workforce specialists and partners locally, regionally and nationally, you will shape the future capability of our organisation ensuring our people have the skills, confidence and professional support they need. You will oversee a team of learning and development specialists, commission and manage programmes, drive cultural and behavioural change, and use data‑led insights to support workforce planning and transformation. With responsibility for budgets, resources and key statutory and professional requirements, you will play a critical role in strengthening a multi‑professional workforce that delivers the best outcomes for the people of Suffolk.
We are looking for someone who:
* is a highly experienced and skilful facilitator – able to lead workforce discussions across multiple professional disciplines and management levels
* has extensive knowledge of the training, learning and development landscape (locally, regionally and nationally)
* has in-depth knowledge and experience in developing and embedding solutions to drive forward cultural and behavioural change
* has proven experience of managing a range of successful learning and development programmes to time, cost and quality.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person profile (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
The team
The Centre for Learning will work collaboratively with internal and external partners to develop learning solutions which support the development of practice to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people and adults in Suffolk.
Our purpose is to ensure that individuals, families, carers and communities in Suffolk benefit from a multi-professional workforce that is highly skilled and appropriately trained.
Empowering Everyone
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
For an informal discussion about the role please contact Loretta Greenacre by calling or emailing
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).
Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
1. Describe a situation where you worked with strategic leaders to shape policy, succession planning or workforce development. What was your advice, and what impact did it have? Describe how you have worked with external bodies (e.g., regulators, regional/national partners) to respond to professional, regulatory or statutory drivers. What challenge did you face and how did you overcome it? 3. Tell us about a time you challenged poor practice or addressed barriers to participation in professional development—ensuring inclusive and anti‑discriminatory delivery. What was the situation and what was the result 4. Walk us through a time you established systems to gather and analyse workforce data to inform Learning and Development and recruitment activity. What insights did you generate and what decisions followed?
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at or
You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you'll have another chance to request adjustments.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 24 February 2026.
Interview date: Week commencing 2 March 2026.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid