Director of Education, Works and Skills

Local Government Chronicle; Manchester; On-site; GBP 93,000 - 106,000

Job description

Director of Education, Works and Skills

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Salary: £93,000 to £106,000

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is made up of the ten Greater Manchester councils and the Mayor, working together with local services, business, communities, and other partners. Recognised as the undisputed pioneers of English devolution, we are working together to make Greater Manchester a better place for all, through collaborating, empowering, and delivering for almost 2.9 million residents.

We are at an exciting point of the city region's journey. As one of two national devolution trailblazers, we are receiving more freedom, flexibility, and influence over crucial policy areas. The forthcoming refresh of our Greater Manchester Strategy and an accompanying long-term delivery plan will set out how we plan to turbocharge growth and create tens of thousands of new homes and jobs over the next decade.

As Director of Education, Works and Skills, you will set strategic direction and lead partnership working to empower residents of all ages to access skills and learning opportunities to succeed, while ensuring our city region has a workforce that meets the needs of employers and can deliver on our growth and productivity ambitions.

This is a key role within our organisation, overseeing the implementation of key policy, spending, and Mayoral manifesto commitments. Working in close partnership with education providers, government departments and agencies, health, the community and voluntary sector, our constituent local authorities, and of course the business community, you will design and deliver programmes of work that deliver maximum impact for our investment.

This includes introducing the game-changing Greater Manchester Baccalaureate (the MBacc), our technical education pathway giving young people a genuine and equal alternative to the university route and connecting them with high-quality opportunities across our fast-changing economy.

We are seeking someone with a deep understanding of the evolving education, skills, and employment policy landscape, who can influence at a local, regional, and national level. You will have a track record of successfully improving outcomes, and ensure we align our commitments to improve community well-being and reduce inequalities, particularly for those who struggle to access work and for the young people of our region. Through your leadership, you will ensure that we are at the forefront of recognising developing trends and labour market intelligence to drive strategic planning and decision-making.

If you are committed to making Greater Manchester fairer, greener, and more prosperous then we are keen to speak to you. Contact our advising consultants at GatenbySanderson: Philip Emms or Louise Bickley, or visit join-gmca.co.uk

Closing Date: Friday 11 April

Location: Manchester, UK

Employment Type: Permanent

Published on: 1 Apr 2025

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Education and Training

Industries

• Technology, Information and Media