Cheshire and Warrington Consortium of Colleges

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Executive Director: Cheshire and Warrington Consortium of Colleges

Salary:c. £50,000 – 0.5FTE (pro-rata)

Responsible to:Chair of the College Consortium

Job Purpose

  • Effectively support the strategic development and delivery of individual colleges’ business plans and strategic priorities with the engagement of members and commitment from key stakeholders.
  • Work with college Principals’ to lead the development of a coherent FE and HE skills offer that aligns with the needs of young people, employers, employees and supports the delivery of the LEP growth plan.
  • Explore the potential for the colleges to work more closely together, for mutual benefit and to strengthen their individual and collective position.
  • Represent and promote the Consortium of Colleges to local and regional stakeholders including the LEP, Funding Agencies, Government Departments, Local Authorities and Ministers.
  • Influence policy decisions locally, regionally and nationally through effective lobbying.

The principal duties and responsibilities of the post include:

Policy and Strategy

1To act as Executive Director for the ConsortiumColleges,supporting the Consortium strategic plans and strategic prioritieswith the engagement of members and commitment from key stakeholders.

2To co-ordinate projects and manage the successful delivery of all externally funded projects undertaken by the Consortium Colleges.

3To advise Consortium members of opportunities for collaborative activity, including funding opportunities and the broader issues of contestability and sharing risk.

4To co-ordinate responses on behalf of the Consortium to various consultation exercises and to represent the Consortium as required.

Strategic Partnerships

5To act as a communication focus for the Consortium Colleges between all members and other key stakeholders including statutory bodies,funding agencies and political influencers at local, regional and national levels.

6To provide support as required for the Colleges within theConsortium.

7To enhance successful strategic partnerships, develop relationships with appropriate LEP representatives e.g. Chair, Chief Executive, Chief Operations Officer and Skills and Employment Board.

8To co-ordinate and support any Consortium partnership activities.

Representation and Communications

9To develop and implement an agreed communications strategy for the Consortiumto include all key national and local stakeholders.

10To represent the Consortium at relevant events, meetings and conferences as required by the Chair.

11To manage the Consortium Colleges’ website as an effective medium for promotion and communication.

12To support marketing and PR activity for Consortium based activities.

Administration

13To produce an agreed business cycle for the activities of the Consortium.

14To co-ordinate administration arrangements for the Consortium including agendas, papers and accurate minutes of meetings.

15To undertake budgetary control, financial monitoring and reporting of Consortium income and expenditure within parameters agreed with the Chair

16To manage all employees and contracted associates of the Consortium Colleges including recruitment, appraisal and work scheduling. To promote the CPD of all staff.

17To carry out any duties commensurate with the responsibility level of this post as determined from time to time by the Chair of theConsortium Colleges.

Person Specification

Attributes / Essential / Desirable / Measured by
Experience /
  • Substantial experience and knowledge of the FE sector
  • Proven track record of delivery in the FE and skills sector
  • Evidence of successful partnership working
  • Evidence of ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders
  • Effective board and committee management experience
/
  • Knowledge and experience of FE sector agencies e.g. EFA, SFA, LEP
  • Knowledge and experience offunding streams
  • Experience of negotiating contracts and bids
  • Experience and knowledge of the Cheshire and Warrington FE landscape / market place
/ Application and interview
Qualifications /
  • Degree or equivalent professional qualification
/
  • A higher degree
  • Management qualification
/ Application
Skills / Abilities /
  • Excellent organisational, administrative and analytical skills
  • Accomplished interpersonal and communication skills
  • The ability to achieve targets and work to deadlines
  • Proven ability to network and sustain strategic links
  • Well developed management and leadership skills
  • Ability to manage and motivate team
  • Computer literate
/ Application, presentation and interview
Personal /
  • Diplomacy, political sensitivity and the ability to convey professional creditability
  • Flexible approach and commitment to the achievement of excellence
  • A positive approach to new developments
  • Self-motivated, able to identify and manage priorities
  • Professional attitude and appearance
/ Application, presentation and interview

Expressions of interest are invited from interested individuals and should be forwarded to the Human Resource Unit at Macclesfield College by Friday 24 October 2014.

It is expected that the date for interview will be Wednesday 26 November at Macclesfield College.