Head of Centre for Learning (Internal) in Ipswich

Suffolk County Council is looking for a creative and driven Head of our Centre for Learning to help reimagine public services for the 21st century. If you are passionate about finding new solutions and making a real difference, we would love to hear from you.

Your role and responsibilities

• Lead a multi-professional team of Learning and Development Managers, Learning Consultants and Co-ordinators, delivering a high-quality workforce development offer that provides value for money.
• Keep up to date with legislative changes and national and local reforms across adult social care and children and young people’s services.
• Work in partnership with workforce leads across SCC and with partner organisations locally, regionally and nationally to understand workforce needs and shape development strategies.
• Develop the strategy for, and oversee the delivery of, workforce development and training programmes.

You will need

• To be a highly skilled facilitator, able to lead workforce discussions across multiple professional groups and levels of management.
• To be an experienced manager with strong skills in resource, budget and performance management.
• Extensive knowledge of the learning and development landscape at local, regional and national levels.
• A sound understanding of professional development requirements within adult social care and children and young people’s services.
• To be a strategic thinker, able to develop and implement workforce plans that ensure the right skills are in place to deliver positive outcomes for children, young people, families and adults.
• Experience in procurement processes, in line with national legislation and local policy.

The Centre for Learning brings together expertise from Children and Young People’s Workforce Development, Adult Social Care Workforce Development, and Corporate Learning and Development into one collaborative service. It leads on training, learning and professional development across Corporate Services, Adult Social Care, and Children and Young People’s Services.

The team delivers a blend of face-to-face, virtual and e-learning and plays a key role in developing our workforce at every stage - from supporting students and apprentices to building our future leaders. Made up of colleagues from a wide range of professional backgrounds, the team offers a creative, collaborative and highly supportive working environment.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Loretta Greenacre (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 01473 264850 or emailing loretta.greenacre@suffolk.gov.uk.

How to apply

• Read the Job and Person Profile.
• Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.
• Upload a supporting statement answering specific questions.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 July 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.