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Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 12 months from start date
Job Description:
About the Role
We believe that where you start in life, shouldn’t limit where you go.
The Open University is a unique institution created 50 years ago to open up education for all. We are open to anyone, anywhere, changing millions of lives across the world and always looking for new ways to help people succeed. Our pioneering use of innovative methods, such as our BBC partnership, means we reach more people than any other university.
We work across all four nations of the UK and we are the most popular choice for online, distance, flexible study.
As one of two Senior Managers in the Learning, Skills & Innovation team, you will lead the strategic development and implementation on designated aspects of the team’s portfolio of work, which could include:
* Developing our partnerships with employers, including innovative approaches to address skills and workforce development needs.
* Developing in-depth knowledge and understanding of the skills landscape in Wales, including economic and societal priorities and areas of focus for Medr and Welsh Government stakeholders.
* Working with academic staff to enhance research and innovation opportunities to secure knowledge exchange, innovation and commercialisation objectives.
* Working alongside community and third sector organisations, to widen access to higher education and to work collaboratively in designing learning solutions that address skills needs and priorities.
* Leading on Careers, Employability and Entrepreneurship provision in Wales to help our students achieve their goals.
You will be responsible for managing a small team of staff, working with Welsh Government, Regional Skills Partnerships, employers and a range of stakeholders to strengthen our local and regional engagement with employers and develop a coherent approach to employer engagement in Wales. You will scan the policy and political environment in relation to skills, employability, enterprise and innovation and identify emerging opportunities.
As a creative and innovative team player with a growth mindset, you will utilise the OU’s extensive research and teaching expertise, curriculum, and unique methods to respond to the needs of employers, learners and partners organisations in Wales.
You will also lead on our evaluation work in this area, ensuring the outcomes and impacts of our work are well understood and contribute to a strong evidence base both to inform future developments and support our reporting to Medr and the Welsh Government.
Key Responsibilities
* To lead on the strategic planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting of the OU in Wales skills and innovation work, taking a central role in deepening and developing our work with employers and skills-related partner organisations, in line with OU in Wales strategy.
* To develop a strong understanding of the national and regional skills agenda and sector priorities by engaging with the Welsh Government, Medr, Regional Skills Partnerships, employers, and other stakeholders as needed.
* To support colleagues across the University in understanding and realising the skills and innovation opportunities in Wales. This includes opportunities for student number growth and income diversification.
* Support funding applications through OU and external approval processes, including costing projects and ensuring compliance with university policies and funder terms and conditions.
* To establish strong working relationships with key stakeholders and networks across the OU, informing colleagues of opportunities for academic involvement in activities in Wales and supporting their engagement.
* To assume the lead role on evaluation activity, data collection and analysis, report writing and other dissemination activity in these areas, including the generation, collection and curation of evidence for OU in Wales’ skills activities relating to relevant external quality and monitoring activity with funders and regulators e.g. Targeted Employability Support for Students (TESS) programme and such other reporting as may be required.
* To represent the OU in Wales’ interests at internal and external meetings relating to skills, employability, enterprise and innovation, taking a leadership role in these groups as appropriate.
* To manage budgets in your work area, including forecasting, monitoring and ensuring best value.
* To identify opportunities to promote, publicise and share your successes, those of your team and of the OU in Wales.
* To work with the Careers and Employability Service to ensure Welsh students and employers are appropriately supported to achieve their goals
* You may be required to undertake any other duties reasonably required within the nature of the duties and responsibilities of the role, subject to the proviso that normally any changes of a permanent nature shall be incorporated into the job description in specific terms.
All staff are expected:
* To comply with the University’s Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies in the performance of your duties.
* To take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of yourself and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
* To co-operate with The Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Departmental Health and Safety arrangements are complied with.
* To demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.
Skills and Experience
Essential
* Commitment to University values: A strong commitment to and understanding of the Open University's Mission and Values.
* Educational qualifications:a degree or equivalent skills and experience.
* Considerable knowledge of the business engagement, skills and/or innovation landscape in Wales: including an understanding of higher education policy drivers and related delivery mechanisms (e.g. Regional Skills Partnerships, vocational education, innovation funding schemes).
* Project management:Strong experience in project management, including implementation, evaluation, budget management, and knowledge dissemination.
* Interpersonal and relationship management skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively develop and maintain relationships, establish credibility, influence, and negotiate with various stakeholders, with a specific focus on employers and industry.
* Communication proficiency:Clear and effective communication skills tailored for diverse audiences, including report writing and presentation delivery.
* Team management: Ability to effectively lead and manage teams that provide customer, employer or student services, fostering teamwork, collaboration, innovation, and motivation among colleagues.
* Independent initiative and decision-making:Ability to work autonomously, make considered decisions, and resolve problems with expediency, intelligence, and sensitivity.
* Digital literacy: Proficient in everyday office tasks, including basic computer operations, Microsoft Office 365, email communication tools, internet research, basic data management, cybersecurity principles, and adaptability to new software.
* Welsh language: Understanding of the requirements and opportunities that arise from working within a bilingual context.
Desirable:
* Partnership and bid management: Proven track record of leading successful partnership proposals and bids.
* Knowledge of part-time adult education: An understanding of the needs of part-time adult learners and the challenges facing students in a distance learning context.
* Knowledge of the Higher Education sector: Excellent knowledge and/or experience of the UK higher education sector with a comprehensive understanding of higher education in Wales.
* Welsh language: Ability to communicate in Welsh, or a willingness to learn.
Essential Requirements
This is a Cardiff based position where you will work from the Cardiff office a minimum of 2 days per week. Additionally, we would anticipate flexibility in response to business needs, however we are happy to have a discussion regarding alternate working arrangements depedning on individual circumstances. There will be some expectation of travel in Wales and to other OU locations when required. We will consider alternative arrangements and would encourage individuals living in North, Mid or West Wales to apply for this role.
How to apply: To apply for this role please submit the following as separate documents:
* CV
* A supporting statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job description.
Please Note: We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.
If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application,please contact:Careers@open.ac.uk .
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The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.
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