Come and lead Lincolnshire County Council’s Employment and Skills Team, a dynamic, proactive, results-focused team. You will be part of our mission to help people secure good jobs, remove barriers to adult learning and advancement, and build a prosperous region together.
Have you worked in the adult learning arena and are passionate about promoting learning, creating an environment in which residents can gain new skills to increase their employability? Are you driven to enhance strategic integration between training providers and partner services to create positive outcomes for residents? Do you thrive on developing programmes that transform lives?
If so, the Employment and Skills Manager role could be the perfect opportunity for you.
About the role
You’ll be stepping into the role as a valued colleague heads into retirement—taking with them a wealth of invaluable and immeasurable skills and knowledge. While their contribution will be greatly missed, this opportunity is for someone who knows the skills area and has a positive mindset, appetite to learn, and commitment to leading with purpose. We’re looking for someone who can inspire, adapt, and evolve with the service as we move into an exciting future.
The role will be an integral part of an engaged, proactive, forward-thinking, and supportive team that provides over 7,000 training places to adults each year. You will lead the strategic planning, commissioning, and delivery of a wide range of adult learning opportunities, including adult skills, family learning, Skills Bootcamps, and adult career pathways provision, as well as developing new programmes in response to identified labour market priorities and requirements in each geographical area.
Information on the adult learning programmes we offer can be found on the 2aspire website: https://www.2aspire.org.uk
About the team
The Employment and Skills Team sits within the Economic Development area within the Place Directorate. The Adult Skills Programmes are funded by the Department for Education through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).
You will be joining the Council’s well-established Economic Development Department, which is embedded in the community and business networks. We have a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience and are keen to welcome new members to help us deliver positive outcomes to residents and support economic growth. Our vision is to help people get good jobs, grow productive businesses, and create a thriving and successful region.
About You
The Employment and Skills Manager will bring senior leadership experience within a strategic skills environment, with a strong understanding of curriculum planning, commissioning, and contract management. We are looking for a proven track record in delivering post-16 learning programmes, alongside a clear grasp of both local and national adult learning priorities, employer needs, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, evolving landscape.
You’ll lead the team that drives the delivery of the council's employment and adult skills programmes, working closely with colleagues from the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA) and North and North East Lincolnshire Councils.
Taking a lead role in the development of the Employment and Skills Service Strategy through commissioning, you’ll directly deliver a programme of adult learning that meets the needs of learners, the wider economy, and the expectations and requirements associated with the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) grant.
Individually, you will actively contribute to the Council’s ambition to improve lives and raise the learning and employment aspirations of adults across Greater Lincolnshire. You will be a strategic thinker with proven leadership skills, capable of designing, commissioning, and overseeing adult skills development programmes.
Expect to engage with and influence public, private, voluntary, and community sector training providers that can positively impact employability skills within an adult learning environment.
Acting as a change agent, you'll enable delivery of relevant outcome indicators from the council’s Corporate Plan and contribute to governmental adult skills and employability outcomes. As Employment and Skills Manager, you will be expected to work internally across Lincolnshire County Council and externally across organizations, advocating for change. You will also hold substantial strategic responsibilities across the council and other agencies.
Hybrid working is a feature of this role. The successful applicant will be required to attend the Sleaford office alongside the Employment & Skills Development Service team at least once or twice a week, with the additional expectation that at least once a month, you will spend time in our Lincoln Office, liaising with the wider Economic Development team.
An element of travelling across Greater Lincolnshire will be required to attend meetings, so you will need a valid UK driving license and access to a vehicle.
About Our Offer
Along with a competitive salary, we are offering:
* “Green book” Local Government terms and conditions
* Access to the Local Government Pension scheme (contribution rate of approx. 24%)
* Comprehensive benefits package including salary sacrifice for cars, cycles, plus excellent discount schemes
* 37-hour working week (full-time), including flexible and hybrid working
* A generous leave entitlement with a minimum of 28 days plus bank holidays and the option to buy more
* Free financial wellbeing advice
Further details can be found here: Rewards and benefits – Lincolnshire County Council
If this sounds like the role for you, please read the full Job Description before applying. For more about Lincolnshire County Council and our current vacancies, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Applications close on 29/05/25, with interviews scheduled for WC 14/07/25.
For a confidential and informal discussion about the role, contact:
Samantha Harrison via email: samanthal.harrison@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Best of luck with your application.
Please note this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
All candidates should read the attached job information pack before applying.
We reserve the right to close applications early if we receive a high volume of applications. We recommend applying promptly.
We operate a talent pool scheme for candidates not successful this time, who may be considered for up to 3 months for similar roles.
Lincolnshire County Council 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.
We are a Smarter Working Employer, embracing new ways of working with hybrid arrangements. Your work base will be discussed during the hiring process.
Our technology enables remote connectivity. Good internet connectivity is required, and support can be discussed during recruitment.
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to communicate effectively in English is essential for this role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr