Interim Strategic Development Lead, Skills & Employment – Greater Essex Combined County Authority in Colchester

Join to apply for the Interim Strategic Development Lead, Skills & Employment role at Essex County Council.

Closing date: 14th December 2025.

Salary Information: Temporary up to £650 per day (umbrella, Inside IR35) or Fixed Term/Secondment from £75,050 to £88,295 per annum.

Overview: Greater Essex is entering a transformative period through devolution, aimed at simplifying governance, improving service delivery, and empowering communities. Under the proposed changes, powers and funding will be transferred from central government to a new Mayoral Combined County Authority, enabling more local control over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development.

This role will play a critical part in ensuring the new Greater Essex Combined County Authority, one of the largest County Combined Authorities, is set up effectively, with the robust governance, strategies, policies and frameworks required to meet statutory and legal obligations. They will establish strong foundations that enable the organisation to accelerate its strategic priorities at pace. To achieve this, postholders will need to build effective relationships and networks across central and local government, partners, businesses and residents, and bring the business, commercial and political acumen needed to translate strategy into meaningful action.

Purpose of the Role

• Lead development of GECCA's Employability & Skills strategy and associated programmes.
• Shape and deliver policies, initiatives and partnerships that increase training, employment opportunities and progression pathways across Greater Essex.
• Strengthen collaboration across councils, education providers, employers and central government.
• Support the development of organisational systems, governance and assurance mechanisms for employability and skills programmes.
• Contribute to building an agile, high-performing organisation capable of delivering devolved skills functions effectively.
• Build partnerships and raise the profile of Greater Essex at a regional and national level, working across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to drive inward investment, secure funding from government, and ensure value for money in all financial commitments.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement and drive strategies that improve skills, employment outcomes and access to opportunity.
• Secure investment and funding to support regional skills ambitions ensuring that the Combined County Authority is able to demonstrate readiness in order to access government funding at the required time.
• Lead the design of innovative programmes that respond to labour market needs and future skills demands.
• Represent GECCA regionally and nationally, influencing policy and strengthening the region's voice.

• Lead commissioning and delivery of skills programmes in line with governance, procurement and financial standards.
• Oversee performance management and reporting to ensure transparency, impact and continuous improvement.
• Support cross-cutting priorities such as net zero, digital transformation and inclusion.
• Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team, fostering collaboration and continuous learning.
• Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in programme design and organisational culture.
• Build capability, talent pipelines and strong internal and external relationships.

Deep understanding of adult learning, post-16 skills, employability policy and commissioning. Knowledge of devolution, AEB, funding mechanisms and workforce planning. Strong strategic leadership and policy development capability. Excellent partnership skills with employers, FE/HE, councils and government. Proven ability to secure funding and manage high-value programmes. Politically aware, resilient and experienced in complex public sector environments.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: General Business

Industries: Government Administration

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a CV and supporting statement.

Contact Samantha Myddelton (samantha.myddelton@essex.gov.uk, 0333 013 0098) or Sadie Orwell (sadie.orwell@essex.gov.uk, 0333 032 2356) for a confidential discussion.

For accessibility needs, please contact Essex Shared Services at essexsharedservices@essex.gov.uk.

Closing date for applications: 14th December 2025 at 23:59pm.