At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide strategic oversight and support growth in the Employability & Skills sector.
- Company: Ambitious organisation focused on education and workforce development.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, part-time flexibility, and influence at board level.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving learner outcomes and organisational growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of skills training and make a real impact on learners and communities.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in ITP or related sectors with strong strategic insight.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham
Salary: £350 – £400 per day
Contract: Part-time | Freelance / Board Position
Are you a senior leader within the Employability, Skills, Apprenticeships, or Independent Training Provider (ITP) sector looking to use your experience to influence strategy and support organisational growth? This is an opportunity for an experienced sector professional to join an ambitious organisation as a Non-Executive Director, providing strategic insight, governance support, and challenge to help shape the future direction of a growing education and skills provider.
About the Company
Our client is a growing organisation operating within the Employability and Skills sector, delivering education, training, and workforce development solutions that support individuals, employers, and communities. As an established provider within the skills landscape, they are focused on improving learner outcomes, delivering high-quality programmes, and creating sustainable progression opportunities through effective training solutions. They are seeking a Non-Executive Director who understands the challenges and opportunities facing Independent Training Providers (ITPs) and can provide valuable insight across strategy, operations, quality, funding, and growth.
Why join?
- Opportunity to influence strategic direction at board level
- Work with an ambitious leadership team within the Employability & Skills sector
- Use your ITP experience to shape growth and operational improvement
- Support meaningful outcomes for learners, employers, and communities
- Provide independent challenge and commercial insight
- Flexible part-time board role
About the Job
As a Non-Executive Director, you will provide strategic oversight, independent challenge, and sector expertise to support the executive leadership team. You will use your understanding of ITPs, government-funded training, employability programmes, apprenticeships, and skills delivery to support organisational development and long-term success.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic guidance to the board and executive leadership team
- Supporting organisational growth plans within the Employability & Skills sector
- Providing insight into ITP operations, funding models, and delivery challenges
- Advising on operational performance, quality improvement, and learner outcomes
- Supporting effective governance, compliance, and risk management
- Challenging and supporting senior leadership decisions constructively
- Advising on apprenticeship, Adult Education Budget (AEB), Adult Skills Fund (ASF), and employability provision
- Supporting stakeholder relationships with employers, partners, and sector organisations
- Contributing expertise around Ofsted expectations, quality frameworks, and inspection readiness
- Supporting innovation, sustainability, and future growth opportunities
Ideal Candidate
We are seeking an experienced senior leader, Managing Director, Operations Director, Quality Director, or Board-level professional with a strong background within the Independent Training Provider (ITP), Employability, Apprenticeships, or Skills sector. You will ideally have:
- Previous experience working at senior leadership, board, Director, or MD level within an ITP or training organisation
- Strong understanding of the Employability and Skills sector
- Experience with government-funded training programmes including Apprenticeships, AEB, ASF, or DWP provision
- Knowledge of Ofsted, ESFA/Skills Funding requirements, quality improvement, and compliance
- Experience supporting organisational growth, transformation, or scaling operations
- Strong commercial understanding and strategic decision-making ability
- Ability to provide constructive challenge and act as a trusted advisor
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
Experience within areas such as apprenticeships, adult education, employability programmes, workforce development, or skills delivery is essential.
Apply Now
If you are a senior Employability & Skills leader with ITP experience and want to use your expertise to influence strategy, improve outcomes, and support the growth of an ambitious organisation, this is an excellent opportunity. Apply now to become part of a leadership team shaping the future of skills, training, and employability delivery.
Non-Executive Director – Employability & Skills in Birmingham employer: S Knights Recruitment
Join a dynamic and ambitious organisation in Birmingham that is dedicated to enhancing employability and skills through high-quality training solutions. As a Non-Executive Director, you will have the unique opportunity to influence strategic direction at board level while working alongside a passionate leadership team committed to making a meaningful impact on learners, employers, and communities. With a flexible part-time role, this position not only offers competitive remuneration but also fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth within the thriving education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Non-Executive Director – Employability & Skills in Birmingham
✨Tap into Local Learning Communities
Get active in local continuing education groups and community centres where adult learners gather. Networking at workshops or meetups can lead to freelance opportunities like teaching classes or offering tutoring services. Don't underestimate the power of a chat over coffee!
✨Build an Engaging Portfolio
Create a public portfolio showcasing your skills and courses you can offer. Use platforms like WordPress or even Instagram to share testimonials and highlight your teaching style. This visibility can help attract clients who are looking for freelance educators.
✨Leverage Online Marketplaces
Sign up for freelance teaching platforms like Udemy or Skillshare, where you can create and sell courses. These platforms have a massive reach and can bring in learners who are eager for adult education, providing you with steady gig opportunities.
✨Collaborate with Educational Institutions
Reach out to local colleges and universities offering continuing education programs. They often look for freelance educators to teach specialised courses. Building relationships with faculty can lead to reliable freelance gig referrals, keeping your schedule full!
We think you need these skills to ace Non-Executive Director – Employability & Skills in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Teaching Experience:When applying for a freelance role in adult continuing education, make sure to highlight any relevant teaching or training experience you've got. Share specific examples of courses you've led or educational programmes you've developed; it's a great way to show how you can engage adult learners!
Prepare a Winning Portfolio:Your portfolio should reflect your best work in adult education. This could include lesson plans, course outlines, or samples of educational materials you've created. Ensure it’s well-organised to grab the attention of those at S Knights Recruitment — we like to see how your past work can add value!
Mention Any Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications in adult education or related fields, flaunt those! Credentials can really enhance your application and show that you're serious about the role. Make sure they’re included prominently on your CV to catch the eye of the hiring team.
Tailor Your Application for Flexibility:As a freelancer, potential clients are interested in your availability and flexibility. In your cover letter, mention your preferred working hours or how you can adjust your schedule to meet learners’ needs. It’s all about showing that you're open and adaptable — that’s what we love to see!
How to prepare for a job interview at S Knights Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Teaching Style
As a freelance educator in the adult continuing education field, one of our best bets is to demonstrate our teaching style during the interview. Be ready to discuss specific methodologies you’ve used or plan to use, and maybe even share a mini-lesson or training activity. This gives your potential client a taste of how engaging and effective you can be with adult learners.
✨Come Armed with a Portfolio
Since we're looking at freelance gigs, a solid portfolio can really set us apart. Include samples of lesson plans, instructional materials, and feedback from previous students. If you’ve worked with diverse groups, make sure to highlight this to showcase your versatility in teaching. It’s about proving you’ve got the chops!
✨Talk About Real-World Applications
In adult continuing education, we need to connect learning to real-world applications. Be prepared to discuss how your past experiences and expertise relate to current industry practices. This shows potential clients that you’re not just a teacher, but a mentor who understands the practicalities of adult learning in today's fast-paced environment.
✨Set Clear Expectations
Since freelancing is all about agreements, be ready to discuss your rates and what they include. Approach this topic with confidence, making sure to explain how your skills justify your pricing. Also, outline how you plan to measure success in your tutoring or training sessions — it reassures clients they'll be getting value for their investment.
