Suffolk County Council
Head of Centre for Learning (Internal)
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Head of Centre for Learning (Internal)
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX - Hybrid
- Salary: £60,135 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
- Contract: Permanent
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Suffolk County Council. We are looking for a creative and driven Head of our Centre for Learning to help reimagine public services for the 21st century. If you are passionate about finding new solutions and making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.
Reimagine the possibilities.
Your role and responsibilities
You will lead a multi-professional team of Learning and Development Managers, Learning Consultants and Co-ordinators, delivering a high-quality workforce development offer that provides value for money. This will include:
- keeping up to date with legislative changes and national and local reforms across adult social care and children and young people’s services.
- working in partnership with workforce leads across SCC and with partner organisations locally, regionally and nationally to understand workforce needs and shape development strategies.
- developing the strategy for, and overseeing the delivery of, workforce development and training programmes.
You will need
We are looking for someone who:
- is a highly skilled facilitator, able to lead workforce discussions across multiple professional groups and levels of management.
- is an experienced manager with strong skills in resource, budget and performance management.
- has extensive knowledge of the learning and development landscape at local, regional and national levels.
- has a sound understanding of professional development requirements within adult social care and children and young people’s services.
- is a strategic thinker, able to develop and implement workforce plans that ensure the right skills are in place to deliver positive outcomes for children, young people, families and adults.
- has experience in procurement processes, in line with national legislation and local policy.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.
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 brings together expertise from Children and Young People’s Workforce Development, Adult Social Care Workforce Development, and Corporate Learning and Development into one collaborative service. It leads on training, learning and professional development across Corporate Services, Adult Social Care, and Children and Young People’s Services.
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The team delivers a blend of face-to-face, virtual and e-learning and plays a key role in developing our workforce at every stage - from supporting students and apprentices to building our future leaders.
Made up of colleagues from a wide range of professional backgrounds, the team offers a creative, collaborative and highly supportive working environment.
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. [https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/our-aims-and-transformation-programmes/the-councils-equality-and-inclusion-commitment-to-you]
For more information
Please contact Loretta Greenacre (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264850 or emailing loretta.greenacre@suffolk.gov.uk.
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 (Word):
- Can you describe a time you led the development or implementation of a workforce or learning strategy and how you ensured it met organisational needs?
- Can you provide an example of how you have ensured quality and value for money when managing budgets or resources?
- Tell me about a time you influenced senior leaders or contributed to policy or strategy in relation to workforce development or workforce planning. What approach did you take?
Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.
Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI [https://www.suffolkjobsdirect.org/#en/sites/CX_3001/pages/764097] to understand what’s acceptable.
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 recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 July 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
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk) [https://careers.suffolk.gov.uk/].
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