Job Introduction
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, who are well embedded in the community and business networks. We have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience and are keen to welcome new members in our aspiration to deliver positive outcomes to residents and support economic growth. Together our vision is to help people to 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 with the ability to design, commission and oversee adult skills development programmes.
Expect to engage with and influence public, private, voluntary, and community sector training providers, that can positively impact on 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 organisations as well as being an advocate for change. You will also have 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 one or two days a week, with the additional expectation that at least once a month will be spent in our Lincoln Office, liaising with the Council’s wider Economic Development team.
An element of travelling will be required across the whole of Greater Lincolnshire to attend a range of 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 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 (as 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, then please read through the full Job Description, before clicking apply! If you would like to know more about Lincolnshire County Council and our current vacancies then click on over to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Applications will close on 29/05/25 and interviews will take place WC 14/07/25
For a confidential and informal discussion about the role please contact:
Samantha Harrison via emailsamanthal.harrison@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Best of luck with your application
Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.
All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.
On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
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.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Attached documents
