Learning & Development Commissioning Manager

This is a Full Time Fixed Term Position. This post is fixed term for 18 months due to funding. To lead and co-ordinate the provision of a wide range of high quality, cost-effective employee development interventions, as part of the corporate learning and change process, which are both proactive and responsive to services professional needs. This development will support the Council values / competency framework and meets the Council’s current and future objectives.

Learning and development experience in a complex large organisation is essential to support the Head of Service in developing and implementing the learning and development strategy across the Council. Working with Organisational Development/Human Resources Business Partners and assisting Directors/Heads of Service/managers in the delivery of workforce development plans for their teams. You must be able to successfully lead and have experience of managing a team of learning professionals and be proactive and responsive to customer needs to deliver a vast range of quality learning and development interventions. You must have substantial experience of commissioning goods/services and managing these commissioned services to a successful outcome.

The postholder will source VfM Learning propositions through best Procurement, using means such as spend consolidation, understanding and management of Total Acquisition Costs, competitive tendering etc. Pro-actively working with services and suppliers in order to build workforce capacity and professional competence. You must be conversant in Ofsted, CQC regulations and other regulatory bodies such as HSE and knowledge of Investors in People.

ROLE AND PURPOSE

• Support the Head of Learning & Development in developing and implementing the learning and development strategy across the Council.
• Working with Human Resources and assisting Directors/Heads of Service in the formulation of workforce development plans for their directorates.
• Leading and managing a team of professionals in the design, development and delivery of learning and development interventions.
• Managing training budget and relationships with training providers, ensuring value for money from commissioning.
• To work with service areas to maximise value for money provided in the authority’s non-pay spend centralised training budget.
• Accountable for procurement compliance with procurement law and Hull City Council’s contract procurement regulations (CPRs).
• Source value for money learning propositions through better procurement, using means such as spend consolidation, understanding and management of total acquisition costs, competitive tendering etc.
• Proactively work with services and suppliers (especially local) to build workforce capacity in line with the Council’s strategic objectives.
• To lead and co-ordinate the provision of a wide range of high quality, cost-effective employee development interventions as part of the corporate change process, which are both proactive and responsive to customer needs, support the competency framework and which meet the Council’s current and future objectives.
• To manage the physical structure of the Learning Centre, ensuring procedures are in place, safe practices are implemented effectively, and recording and audit systems are maintained.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Strategy – Support the Council in its achievement of the Corporate Vision, Strategy and Business Objectives.
• Assist the Head of Learning & Development in the development, review, implementation and monitoring of the Council’s people strategy and learning and workforce development strategies/approach.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of the learning and development strategies and learning and development plans, including robust forecasting of future service skills requirements, succession and talent planning and resource allocation.
• Develop learning and development systems, processes, policies and procedures that support organisational development and drive individual and team capability and are in line with national, regional and local initiatives and frameworks.
• Maximise benefits from resources by choosing relevant delivery models to drive improved organisational performance.
• In conjunction with senior stakeholders, lead the establishment of clear L&D procurement/commissioning strategies/frameworks which will deliver optimum solutions for the organisation, directorate or service area.

Customer Focus - Is visible in gaining customer insight and marketing resources with senior level managers and the Council. Ensure customer satisfaction with the Learning & Development service provision, particularly providers that we commission, by engagement with the stakeholders in the proactive planning of learning interventions. Regularly seeks feedback from the customer and ensures that any issues relating to service delivery are dealt with promptly and to the satisfaction of the customer. Develop customer service skills with the team to ensure a proactive, customer focused and professional approach is taken to managing service and corporate objectives. Manages and delivers a corporate source of professional learning and development procurement advice and expertise to stakeholders. Understands corporate and departmental standards and priorities to enable planning and development of learning and development procurement and commissioning, to ensure directorate/service needs are met.

Performance Management – Inspires people to perform at their best and demands continuous improvement, customer service and value for money. Develop, implement and monitor their team plan. Contribute to an effective performance improvement framework for Learning & Development, collecting and analysing key performance indicator data and using to inform decision and develop appropriate interventions. Secures high engagement of staff, ensuring any issues arising from poor performance are managed promptly and in accordance with the Council’s policy, procedures and current legislation. Represent the function at meetings, giving and receiving feedback and acting on performance outcomes. Set challenging objectives for self and others. Assist directorates in meeting the requirements of inspection bodies. Establish and manage learning and development contracts by monitoring performance with the provider and ensures contracts are delivering value for money and customer outcomes.

Leadership – Leads a team including coaching, motivating and providing professional challenge. Manages direct reports including the delegation of work, assessment of competence, management of attendance, management of performance, identification and implementation of learning and development interventions, health, safety and welfare. Ensures the team have access to support and guidance from appropriate sources and professionals as required, eg Occupational Health, HR, Procurement, Finance. Participates in the Departmental Leadership Team in HR and where required, provides input to the Business Support Senior Leadership Team. Supports the leadership teams of directorates in relation to learning and development activity. Deputises for the Head of Learning & Development as required.

Statutory Obligations - Responsible for the provision of statutory requirements relating to workforce development for the Council, eg the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge relating to safeguarding, health and safety, training of foster carers and care workers. Ensures compliance with statutory requirements and quality standards.

Service Delivery – Responsible for the design, development, delivery, often through commissioning of learning and development interventions, and evaluation of training in core skills to drive organisational performance. Ensures the team has the capability to carry out their duties and that systems, processes, procedures and contracts are used effectively to manage training activity and accuracy of record maintenance. Ensures equality of access to learning and development. Works with colleagues to ensure a cohesive workforce development strategy for each directorate in line with corporate/directorate priorities.

Resource Allocation & Budget – Contributes to the management of the learning and development budget on behalf of the Council, ensuring there is a fair process of resource allocation according to Council priorities and that commissioning of training provides value for money.

Partnership Working – Works in partnership with internal and external stakeholders, eg the NHS, Fire Service and police, voluntary and community sector organisations and private companies to develop value for money learning interventions. Represents the Council in matters of workforce development.

Team Development & Capability – Responsible for ensuring the team has the capability to perform their duties and have a development programme that ensures they can reach their full potential. Encourages team members to take responsibility for continuous professional development.

Self-Management & Development – Build a reputation of respect from customers, peers and managers. Responsible for producing work to the quality standards and deadlines required. Work to the competencies of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, ensuring that continuous professional development plans and records are maintained. Seeks regular feedback on personal performance from all stakeholders.

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Online searches, including social media, may be carried out as part of the recruitment process.