At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead initiatives connecting employers with education to boost youth employability.
- Company: Join the Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce and make a real impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, sick pay, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for collaboration across sectors and strategic partnerships.
- Why this job: Shape the future of young people in Dumfries & Galloway and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in business or education; strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42400 - 42400 £ per year.
Developing the Young Workforce – Dumfries & Galloway is a Scottish Government funded, industry led initiative, tasked with strengthening employer engagement with education to prepare young people for the world of work. DYW is hosted by and based at Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce and consists of a small Regional Team, supported by DYW School Coordinators, who are teachers, based in each Secondary school.
The role of the DYW Programme Director is to connect employers with education to prepare young people for the world of work. You will head up and lead the project team which delivers against the Scottish Government's initiative to Develop the Young workforce in Dumfries and Galloway (DYW). The role offers a real opportunity to make a difference for the employability prospects of young people in Dumfries and Galloway. Applicants should have a broad understanding of the aims and objectives of DYW and be able to demonstrate experience of leading emerging people to successful outcomes. Given the recognised challenges, the Board is looking for a high performing individual who will be able to create and maintain strategic partnerships and operate effectively in both Business and Education sectors.
Main Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and management of the DYW Regional Team.
- Provide direction to the DYW School Co-ordinators, maintain dialogue with the Education management team over performance and resourcing issues related to the role.
- Deliver the Scottish Governments employer engagement approach to Developing the Young Workforce with Dumfries and Galloway.
- Deliver on national KPIs and other performance indicators ensuring that all management information is accurate and submitted timeously to Scottish Government and the DYW Board.
- Be responsible for developing a range of strategic approaches that will deliver the regional boards aspirations to enhance education and industry links in a way that contributes to the achievement of national KPI’s and related targets.
- Directly engage with senior business representatives, political leaders and key public sector partner agency management, minimising potential duplication or overlap of resources to provide the best outcomes for young people in Dumfries & Galloway.
- Provide full programme updates and seek approval and direction for local Programmes and Initiatives from the Regional DYW Board.
- Work collaboratively and provide governance updates to the host, DG Chamber of Commerce.
- Maintain financial management of all aspects of delivery within agreed budget allocations and report on same when required.
- Adhere to the policies on health and safety, equal opportunities and ensure compliance with all other relevant policies.
- Represent the Chamber of Commerce / DYW at events or functions as required and work to ensure the Chamber / DYW profile is maintained at an elevated level.
- Carry out such other tasks as may be required by the DYW Board / Chamber of Commerce.
Person Specification
- Educated to degree level or have equivalent work experience aligned to private business or education/employability sectors.
- Knowledge and understanding of economic and educational issues affecting Dumfries & Galloway.
- Excellent leadership skills with a proven track record of programme management.
- Competent knowledge and use of IT and client relationship database management.
- Substantial experience of working with a broad range of stakeholders, particularly at senior management level.
- Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting and reporting of financial and team performance.
- Own transport and full driver’s licence.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans.
- Ability to identify opportunities, creating solutions and acting upon these in a proactive manner.
- A passion for making a difference to the region by working directly with businesses, education and other key stakeholders.
- Knowledge and understanding of vocational training including the apprenticeship framework.
Benefits
- Company pension.
- On-site parking.
- Sick pay.
Schedule Monday to Thursday (subject to agreement).
DYW D&G Programme Director in Dumfries employer: DYW D&G
At Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in our community. Our flexible work culture promotes collaboration between education and industry, providing employees with unique opportunities for professional growth while contributing to the employability of young people in the region. With a supportive team environment, competitive salary, and benefits such as a company pension and sick pay, we empower our staff to lead initiatives that truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DYW D&G Programme Director in Dumfries
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by DYW D&G.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like DYW D&G.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at DYW D&G.
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We think you need these skills to ace DYW D&G Programme Director in Dumfries
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of DYW D&G. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like DYW D&G Programme Director, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at DYW D&G
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of DYW D&G. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
