Head of Workforce Development

Tees Valley is where five unique boroughs come together to make one remarkable region – one that harnesses its inventive spirit to get things done.

Tees Valley Combined Authority was established in 2016 with devolved powers and funding from central Government transport; infrastructure; education, employment and skills; inward investment and business growth; culture and tourism; and research, innovation and Net Zero.

TVCA is led by the Tees Valley Mayor and Cabinet, made up of the Leaders of our five constituent local authorities – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.

Its work is supported by the Tees Valley Business Board, giving local businesses a voice in TVCA’s policy and decision-making.

The Combined Authority’s powers are backed by more than £1.7billion of funding for projects, schemes and programmes to make the region an incredible place to live, work, invest, visit and study.

• Some major projects led or backed by TVCA over the past decade include:
• The transformation and upgrades to Darlington, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe and Billingham stations
• The establishment of the South Tees Development Corporation and subsequent creation of Teesworks, the UK’s largest industrial zone, home to major clean energy projects
• Bringing Teesside International Airport back into public control
• Establishing a £160million Investment Zone – the UK’s only to focus on digital and creative sectors
• Setting up the Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Development Corporations to transform the town centres
• The development of Northern School of Art’s new Middlesbrough campus and regeneration of its Hartlepool campus
• Driving education and skills at all levels, including our devolved funding over adult education
• Using our powers as the region’s Destination Marketing Organisation to bring big-ticket concerts, events and competitions to Tees Valley
• Numerous infrastructure and place-building projects including Stockton’s Waterfront Urban Park, Middlesbrough’s Boho Zone, Redcar’s Regent Cinema, Hartlepool’s Highlight centre and Darlington’s Central Park developments.

We’re proud of our historical impact across the globe – from being the place that built the world thanks to our rich steel heritage to making it connected through the creation of the first passenger railway.

We’re now the area which will change the future, thanks to pioneering clean energy and digital innovations.

That’s reflected in our ten-year Local Growth Plan, which sets out how we are going to capitalise on our key sectors, local strengths, workers’ expertise, world-class assets and knowledge-sharing to make sure every investment is joined up and works to turbocharge our economy.

We love our diverse region, the five boroughs and their strengths that make Tees Valley greater than the sum of its parts, where the industrial skyline impressively frames rolling green landscapes and beautiful coastlines.

A place of cultural and economic growth, where anything is possible.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced Head of Workforce Development to lead skills, careers and employment programmes that help people progress and help businesses find the talent they need.

You’ll lead major funding programmes, including the Adult Skills Fund, Connect to Work, Youth Trailblazer and future devolved skills and employment programmes.

Your focus will be on matching skills investment with employer demand and the region’s growth plans.

Working with employers, education providers, government, councils and partners, you’ll help build a workforce system that supports people into work, helps them progress and gives businesses the skills they need to grow.

This is a senior role with real influence.

You’ll also be part of a new leadership team working together to shape Tees Valley’s future workforce, support employers and help the region grow.

Role Requirements

You’ll be a collaborative leader with senior experience in skills, employment, workforce development or economic growth.

You will have

• A strong track record of creating and delivering workforce, skills, careers or employment plans that benefit residents and employers.
• The ability to work with employers, try new approaches and design practical skills programmes that respond to real workforce demand and support business growth.
• Experience leading large programmes with public funding, strong financial control, governance, performance tracking and compliance.
• Experience commissioning or managing services that support skills, employability, career progression and workforce growth.
• Good understanding of labour market trends, workforce planning and how skills support growth.
• Experience managing major budgets and funding programmes with a focus on measurable results and value for money.
• Strong relationship-building skills across government, councils, employers, education providers and voluntary sector partners.
• The ability to align workforce activity with employer demand, investment opportunities and regional priorities.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Clear communication and influencing skills, with confidence representing an organisation at senior level.
• Experience securing extra funding and developing partnerships that deliver lasting impact.

Above all, you’ll be a forward-thinking leader who wants to create opportunities for people, support employers and help Tees Valley build the skilled workforce it needs to grow.

• 27 Days annual leave, increasing to 32 days after 5 years service
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Local Government Pension Scheme (16.6% employer contribution)
• Access to Private Counselling Sessions
• Access to Physio Therapy Sessions
• Specsavers Eye-Care Vouchers
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car Lease Scheme
• Free Parking

• On Site Café with staff Discount & more!

Other Information

TVCA is proud to hold Disability Confident Leader status and is committed to continuously developing best-practice approaches to inclusion.

Applicants who consider themselves to have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role will be offered an interview.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Should you need the application in an alternative format, please contact the HR Team at TVCAHR@teesvalley-ca. gov. uk or call 07469 918937 so we can discuss how best to support you.

As proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to supporting veterans find and secure employment opportunities.

This includes a guaranteed interview to those who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

Please note, you should hear from us within four weeks of the closing date if you are shortlisted for interview, otherwise you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate.

Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

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