Derbyshire County Council
Strategic Development Lead – Adult Skills Programmes
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Closing date: 31 July 2026
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Help Shape the Future of Adult Skills Across the East Midlands
We are looking for an experienced and strategic thinker to join our Adult Skills Programmes team. This is an exciting opportunity to influence how adult skills funding is commissioned and delivered across the region, ensuring residents have access to high-quality learning that supports progression into sustainable employment while meeting the needs of employers and the wider economy.
As the Strategic Development Lead, you will be the critical link between policy and delivery, supporting the commissioning, implementation and continuous improvement of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), Skills Bootcamps and other devolved adult skills programmes.
Working within a complex political, commercial and partnership environment, you will collaborate with internal teams, education providers, local authorities, employers and other key stakeholders to ensure programmes deliver maximum economic and social impact.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and support the strategic commissioning of adult skills programmes aligned to regional priorities and labour market need.
- Build strong collaborative relationships across internal teams and external partners to create seamless learner progression pathways into and within employment.
- Develop innovative learning and training programmes that support residents from education into work and progression whilst in work.
- Work closely with programme leads to design funding specifications, monitor delivery, analyse performance data and recommend funding decisions.
- Produce high-quality reports, board papers and business cases to support strategic decision-making and programme development.
- Support the implementation and continuous improvement of major devolved funding programmes, ensuring compliance with national and local funding requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve services, promote best practice and maximise social value through commissioning activity.
- Provide expert advice to senior leaders and partners on adult skills policy, programme delivery and emerging sector developments.
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What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who can demonstrate:
- Significant strategic commissioning experience, particularly within publicly funded skills or employment programmes.
- Extensive experience managing large-scale funding programmes, including implementation, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
- Proven success in developing learning and training programmes that support learner progression into employment and career advancement.
- Significant experience leading cross-functional collaboration across internal teams and managing complex relationships with external stakeholders, providers, employers and public sector partners.
- Excellent report writing, analytical and presentation skills, with experience producing board papers, business cases and strategic recommendations.
- Strong understanding of adult skills policy, funding and commissioning within a devolved or public sector environment.
- Outstanding stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
- Experience working within politically sensitive environments and balancing multiple strategic priorities.
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Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of adult skills across the East Midlands, helping residents access life-changing opportunities while supporting employers with the skills they need to grow.
You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, influence regional policy and commissioning decisions, and play a key role in delivering programmes that make a lasting difference to people, businesses and places.
If you're an experienced strategic leader with a passion for skills, collaboration and delivering meaningful impact, we'd love to hear from you.
To apply please follow the link below:
Apply Here
Provisional Interview Date: 04 August 2026
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