Information pack for the role of Education and Development Project Manager Find a Future

Transcription

1 Information pack for the role of Education and Development Project Manager Find a Future August 2015

2 Context Find a Future is the educational organisation that brings together WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions, The Skills Show and the Skills Show Experience, providing young people across the UK with the chance to unlock their potential and get excited about the world of work. Through hands-on skills competitions and experiential careers events, we aim to develop their understanding of, and engagement with, further education, apprenticeships and skills. Building on the success of these core activities, the organisation s aim is to develop a reputation for programmes of activity that are proven to inspire, educate and influence. We want all young people to learn what they are great at and to understand the opportunities available to them, so that the UK becomes a leader in skills. This will give employers direct access to the diversity of talent they need to enable their businesses to flourish and the wider economy to prosper and grow. Find a Future includes: - The Skills Show is the nation s largest skills and careers event and helps to shape the future of a new generation. Attracting around 75,000 visitors annually, the show provides hands-on experiences that inspire young people to explore careers options and motivates them to find out more about the world of work. The Skills Show also hosts over fifty WorldSkills UK National Competition Finals where young people from across the country undertake skill specific tasks under timed conditions to be named the best of the best in their skill areas. - WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions inspire young people to be ambitious in their pursuit of skills to the highest level. Through local, national and international competition activity, WorldSkills UK plays a vital role in raising standards, esteem and levels of expertise in further education, skills and apprenticeships as well as recognising and rewarding exceptional talent. - The Skills Show Experience is a nationwide programme which has delivered more than 300 local events since launching in 2013 and has reached over 155,000 young visitors in that time. Delivered by collaborative partnerships, the programme inspires and informs visitors to find out more about the world of work in response to specific local labour market needs. The events are supported by the European Social Fund and the National Careers Service. Our Purpose Find a Future provides hands on experiences to inspire young people and help shape their futures. Our aims: - For young people to know what they are great at and the opportunities available to them, so that the UK becomes a leader in skills - For employers to have access to the young talent they need to ensure the future success of their business and sector - For those that influence and educate young people about careers to have access to a range of tools and knowledge to improve their advice and guidance to young people - For Find a Future to continue to build a reputation for outstanding experiential careers events and skills competitions that are proven to inspire, enable and influence Page 2

3 Organisational structure Find a Future has a staff team of around 45 and is structured into four directorates and two units, each directorate is led by a Director and each unit is led by a Head who as individuals form the Leadership and Strategy Group which is led by the Chief Executive. An operational management grouping known as the Operational Management Team is made up of all of the Directors and Heads in the organisation. - Operations Responsible for the planning and delivery of the infrastructure for Find a Future s core products (The Skills Show, The Skills Show Experience and WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions) which includes the design and build of built environments, management of all venues, the provisioning of security services, design and deployment of information technology needs, delivery of audio visual requirements, Health and Safety planning and compliance, logistics management, the management of all logistical delegate requirements (specifically registration, accreditation, customer services, transportation, catering and accommodation). - Finance and Corporate Services Responsible for all financial and administrative elements of Find a Future s operation. This includes finance, human resources, insurance, legal services, office services and procurement and contracting. The Finance team provide a range of support functions which enable the operation to deliver its objectives ensuring a good balance between enablement and control. Marketing and Business Development Responsible for two inter-related areas of Find a Future s operation: - Business Development Responsible for commercial activities which include cash and value-in-kind sponsorship. Find a Future needs just over 5m annually in sponsorship revenue to enable the delivery of its activities. A significant proportion of this sponsorship is generated from industry where value-in-kind is offered to support the delivery of the finals of the WorldSkills UK skills competitions. Major cash sponsors are also sought to provide sponsorship income to the show. - Marketing and Communications Responsible for all marketing and communications activity across Find a Future s operation. The range of activities in this team includes: PR (proactive/reactive PR, establishing a press office function, filming and photography, social media, media partnerships, media centres), visitor marketing and recruitment, branding and collateral, communications support for sponsors partners/stakeholders (inbound/outbound, plus commitments as per commercial/partnership agreements). - Education and Development Responsible for two inter-related areas of Find a Future s operation: - WorldSkills UK Skills Competitions This extends to stimulating the growth and embedding of skills competitions in mainstream education and training and widening the base of competition entrants making them accessible to a diverse range of people. The national competitions are delivered in partnership with a number of Competition Organising Partners, with the quality assurance and application of appropriate industry standards being key activities of the team. In addition to the national skills competitions, the team manage the development of a squad and then team of young people who compete internationally to be the very best in the world Page 3

4 at their chosen skill and represent their country in doing so. This requires the support of a dedicated network of training managers who work with competitors to ensure their skill level is developed to meet the demanding requirements of international skills competitions. - Content and Experience Responsible for three distinct strands of Find a Future s work: the content of the national show and audience experience as a result of the national show; volunteer and employability; and local programmes (delivered through The Skills Show Experience). The content delivered at the national show (such as Have a Go, Showcase, Spotlight, careers advice, ceremonies, conferences, etc.) is key to achieving the overall objectives of the national show and need to be designed so as to provide visiting audiences with a meaningful and fulfilling experience. In addition, ensuring that volunteers engaged to deliver the national show are trained, supported and have a positive experience is critical. The coordination and management of the content of local programmes is key to ensuring that the reach of Find a Future is greater than what is delivered through the skills competitions and the national show. The Education and Development directorate also has responsibility for the development of strategic educational partnerships and relationships to grow and develop Find a Future s products and activities. In addition to the four directorates, there are two units (which sit within the Executive directorate): - a centralised Planning and Funding unit which has responsibility for: the management, monitoring and evaluation activities for external funding agreements; co-ordination of delivery activities in line with external funding agreements; support for the overall programme and project management across the organisation; and support for the process of planning and evaluating the organisation s activities in line with the agreed strategic vision and annual business plan. - a centralised Public Affairs unit which has responsibility for: the development, implementation and management of Find a Future s public affairs strategy across the UK Parliament and Devolved Administrations in order to influence government policy in the areas of vocational education and careers education; the planning and development of a national campaigning strategy on key policy areas; meeting with parliamentarians to influence them to act in the interests of activities; and leading on Find a Future s stakeholder and partnership strategies and activities. Page 4

5 Governance Find a Future is a registered charity with a Board of Trustees strategically overseeing its effective operation in conjunction with the Chief Executive so as to ensure it meets its charitable objectives. The Board is made up of representatives of further education, skills and industry ensuring that the organisation s activities are firmly representative of the audiences and target groups it serves in its work. The Board meets at least four times per year depending on the business it needs to consider. The Chief Executive and the Directors of Find a Future attend the Board. The Board has two sub-committees: Audit Committee which deals with the scrutiny of the organisation s activities especially in relation to finance and ensuring that the organisation s approach to risk management is robust (usually meets four times per year ahead of the Board); and the Remuneration Committee which deals with the pay and conditions of organisation s staff (usually meets once a year). Page 5

6 Role Description Role: Grade: Manager: Directorate/Unit: Reports: Role Purpose Grade C Senior Education and Development Manager Education and Development None The purpose of this role is to support the implementation of plans that deliver successful national and international skills competitions whilst supporting educational partnerships that deliver the experiential careers education model nationally and locally. Through the project management of the programme, the role will co-ordinate the organisation s educational activities and support the development and mainstreaming of skills competitions and educational experiences. The role will take a lead on the departments reporting requirements and will focus on the project management of the UK competitions programme UK and international; working alongside the Education and Development Managers Key Responsibilities 1. Project manage the annual programme of skills competitions activities. 2. Working in partnership with organisations across England and the three devolved nations sharing best practice and information data management. 3. Manage an external network of educational practioners and partners across the UK, to include the preparation of agreements, quarterly events and communications. 4. Collation and management of the development programmes training plans and budgets. 5. Contribute to successful delivery of Find a Future s strategic priorities and annual business objectives. 6. Manage the implementation of the plans to refine the biennial cycle of activity. 7. Lead on the management of the team s business reporting i.e. operational plans, KPIs, risk management, budgets. 8. To ensure that systems and processes are in place to enable the department to run smoothly. 9. To support the maintenance, management and evaluation of best practice in skills competitions and to help promote strong performance against targets, quality and value for money within skills competitions 10. Lead on the management of the teams business reporting i.e. operational plans, KPIs, risk management and budgets. 11. Take ownership of appropriate projects within the Education and Development Directorate ensuring all deviations from targets (time, money, people, etc.) are identified and reported at the earliest possible stage. 12. Produce requirement specifications in line with Find a Future s procurement strategies for all outsourced activity. Page 6

7 13. Advise, support and help deliver embedded and mainstreamed skills competitions at the core of strategies for raising standards of teaching and learning and, in partnership with the Education and Training Foundation, as a key vehicle for practitioner development across the vocational education and training sector and the workplace development strategies 14. Effectively co-ordinate resources (including agencies, suppliers, contractors) so that all project elements are delivered to acceptable standards on time, to budget and meet the required specification(s)/objective(s). 15. Manage activities/tasks in accordance with the agreed project plan to ensure delivery on time and to budget. 16. Recruit, manage, support and motivate allocated staff to successfully deliver activities/tasks. 17. Other duties and/or projects as may reasonably be requested by the LINE MANAGER acknowledging experience, education and ability. Person Specification Key: [E] Essential / [D] Desirable Qualifications and experience Project Management or educational qualification [D] Experience of supporting large scale complex programmes in the publicly funded sector [E] Experience working in Further Education or in an adult community learning setting [E] Experience managing successful teams and evidence of having led on change/curriculum innovation in Further Education [E] Experience raising standards of achievement for students at all levels [D] An understanding of the post 16 education sector and the skills agenda, particularly relating to VET and Apprenticeships [E] Understanding of the design, implementation and evaluation of educational activities in formal and non-formal environments [D] Knowledge and skills Considers the long-term impact and wider implications of decisions and understands and implements strategic change initiatives, focusing effort and commitment on making the change work [E] Knowledge of teaching, learning and assessment [E] Managerial skills to drive continuous improvements in the quality of the work of the curriculum area [D] Skilled in managing multiple projects with a wide range of stakeholders, overseeing the activities through effective prioritising, organising, planning and scheduling of activities and resources [E] Robust project management and budget management responsibility [D] Knowledge and understanding of current policies on careers education, further education, apprenticeships and skills. [D] Ability to motivate and inspire through a range of activities such as skills competitions, experiential careers, or skills show experiences that develops and grows a resilient network of stakeholders including individuals, teams, providers and employers [E] Page 7

8 Personal qualities Very reliable and with a high level of probity. [E] Able to work to own initiative with broad direction. [E] Able to think creatively and solve problems. [E] Flexible in working methods and ideas. [E] Excellent team player and collaborative approach to work. [E] Enthusiastic and able to motivate others. [E] Page 8

9 Special circumstances Prepared to occasionally work outside of normal hours. [E] Prepared to travel within the United Kingdom and occasionally internationally. [E] Able to spend an occasional night away from home. [E] Summary of Terms and Conditions The salary for this role is 35,000-38,000 (Grade C) Normal place of work is Floor Four, Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SP. Minimum of 35 hours per week, normal working hours are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Occasional weekend work may be required by mutual agreement for which reasonable time off in lieu will be given. 25 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays. The post is subject to six months probationary period with one months notice. The offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references. Salaries are paid monthly by direct transfer on or about 21st of the month. Page 9

10 How to apply Applications should be submitted no later than noon on Tuesday 15 September 2015 and should include: - a curriculum vitae detailing your full career history; and - a supporting statement with evidence of your suitability for the role, taking into account the points listed in the role description and person specification (throughout the recruitment process we will be looking for examples and evidence of your experience, knowledge and skills). Applications should be submitted by or post (marked Private and Confidential ) to: - Meryem Ozbiloglu Corporate Services Officer jobs@findafuture.org.uk For an informal conversation about the role please contact Parisa Shirazi, Acting Head of Education and Development by telephone on or by at pshirazi@findafuture.org.uk. It is intended that interviews will be held in London, short-listed candidates will be advised of the process. Find a Future is committed to making appointments on merit by fair and open processes, taking account of equality and diversity. Page 10