National College for High Speed Rail

National College for High Speed Rail Chief Executive Recruitment information pack

Contents Page A Message from the Chair of the College Governing Body Background and History Job Description, Main Duties and Responsibilities Person Specification Terms and Conditions Equal Opportunities Recruitment Process Queries How to Apply 3 4 5 6 8 8 8 8 9

A message from the Chair Terry Morgan National College for High Speed Rail Page 3 Dear Applicant Thank you for expressing an interest in the role of Chief Executive of the new National College for High Speed Rail. This is an unprecedented opportunity to be at the forefront of the work to create a new leading edge and internationally recognised college for the rail industry. Engineering skills are vital to the rail industry and the new college will provide the outstanding teaching facilities needed to support the highly skilled workforce of the future, trained in state of the art technology and techniques needed for high speed rail and other future infrastructure projects across the country. The Chief Executive will play a central role in shaping the design and development of the college, so that it delivers the top class training and qualifications that will be needed; inspiring a new generation of motivated young people to follow this pathway. The college will operate from new buildings in Birmingham and Doncaster and through a number of specially selected spokes located across the country. The Chief Executive will play a central role in overseeing the design and construction of the college, building excellent partnerships with the rail industry and other providers across the country, so that as many learners as possible have access to the opportunities that HS2 and other rail engineering projects will create and providing strategic leadership and management for the college when it opens its doors to students in September 2017. If you think that you have the drive, enthusiasm and expertise needed to make a reality of this vision, then we look forward to hearing from you. Terry Morgan Chair of the college governing body

Background The vision for High Speed 2 High Speed 2 (HS2) is one of the largest infrastructure projects that this country has ever seen 6 times the budget of the 2012 Olympics. It will provide a new high-speed railway link between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, speeding up journeys, releasing space on crowded lines and bringing Britain closer together. It will also generate a significant number of new jobs, including up to 2000 apprenticeships to work directly on the project itself and will help rebalance the economy between north and south by connecting people and businesses, enhancing productivity and commercial activity and acting as a catalyst for city centre regeneration and major development schemes. It is proposed that HS2 will be built in two phases. The first phase will link London Euston with a new station at Birmingham Curzon Street and will include a station at Old Oak Common in west London and another near Birmingham Airport. The second phase will see the route divided into two lines, one continuing to Manchester Piccadilly via Crewe and Manchester Airport and the other to Leeds via the East Midlands and Sheffield Meadowhall. Construction of HS2 is due to begin in 2017 with an opening date of 2026 for Phase One and 2032 for Phase Two. The vision for the high speed rail college The high speed rail college will be an elite institution, defined by its focus on progression to a higher level of study (Level 3 and above, with a focus on Level 4 and 5), by its employer leadership, its role in setting industry standards in its area and the quality of its provision - delivering truly innovative training and offering the very best in teaching and specialist equipment. As an elite institution, the college will be a flagship facility for advanced and higher level apprentices, as well as providing opportunities for the existing workforce to learn new skills in the latest technology. Employers will have a central leadership role in the college, through strong representation on its governing body and by supporting the design, development and delivery of its provision, for example, by offering placements and providing real life work challenges for courses. The initial focus of the college will be on developing and delivering training for high speed rail. As well as rail engineering, the core offer will include skills in new technologies associated with engineering design, construction and management, including Building Information Modelling. The college will also meet the wider economic need for an increased supply in engineers and will therefore have a purpose beyond the timeframes of HS2. The college will be located at 2 main sites - in Birmingham s city centre Science Park and Doncaster s Lakeside Campus. Each site will provide modern, fit for purpose buildings, demonstrating a high standard of design that provides an effective learning environment, as well as meeting high efficiency and environmental standards. The higher level of study and the national status of the college will mean that in some cases learners will be willing to relocate to study there and the high speed rail college will therefore also have some residential facilities. The college will also work on a hub and spoke model, with links to a range of providers who

will form a network for railway and engineering skills across the country. The college will act as a centre for excellence that other providers can learn from. Job Description Title: Chief Executive National College for High Speed Rail Reports to: Chair of Governors Location: Birmingham Salary: Competitive Purpose of the Job The Chief Executive will oversee the design and development of the 2 college sites, including overseeing the planning and construction stage and will lead the administration and operational running of the college once open. The Chief Executive will be accountable for ensuring the vision, mission and purpose of the college is realised, through the delivery of good value for money, high quality training and apprenticeship services to the high speed rail sector. The Chief Executive is accountable to the college's Board of Governors. The Chief Executive will lead, is a member of the college senior executive team and is required to contribute to the overall success of the organisation, ensuring its aims and objectives are met. Duties and Responsibilities Reporting to the Board of Governors, the Chief Executive duties and accountabilities include: Working with the Governors and other stakeholders to develop the college s mission, values and strategic, business and operational plans Providing co-ordination and oversight of the college development project, ensuring that all key milestones and performance/specification targets are met Providing effective and efficient management of the college finances, assets and resources Taking statutory responsibility as Chief Accounting Office Providing inspiring and motivational leadership to staff and partners Development of plans for the college senior management structure and recruiting and retaining a highly effective senior management team and teaching staff Championing the High Speed Rail agenda, both in education and more widely Development and implementation of the college curriculum, ensuring that it fully reflects industry needs and latest advances in technology, including securing strong employer engagement in both the development and delivery of provision Setting the objectives and performance targets, including health and safety, against which the achievements and quality of the college can be measured/assessed and benchmarked

Development of a learner recruitment strategy, marketing and general promotion Ensuring that the necessary policies, processes and systems are in place, including: student journey, health and safety, facility management, ICT, HR, payroll, marketing and communications Establishing, overseeing and maintaining at both a strategic and operational level, the relationship with industry bodies and businesses and with funding bodies Building and managing relationships with other providers and key stakeholders, maintaining a full stakeholder plan and database Ensuring the college meets its statutory, legal and fiduciary responsibilities and that all funding returns are made correctly and in good time Demonstrating leadership in ensuring the college delivers equality of opportunity, promotes diversity and delivers sustainable outcomes of the sector that it serves Leading fundraising activities to establish bursaries and other financial aid for students and to maximise employer investment opportunities Person Specification Education and professional qualifications Experience General skills and abilities Essential Graduate level, or technical apprenticeship or equivalent, with relevant sector experience. Proven track record in a decisive leadership role in a customer focused organisation of a similar scale and complexity in either the public or private sector. Successful management of a range of key stakeholders from transport and funding bodies, employers, local authorities, academic bodies. Business management experience including leading and/or developing an organisation. Proven experience of taking strategic perspective and providing clear vision, linked to stretching goals and achievements. Desirable Science or engineering graduate or masters degree, or further engineering or science qualification. A background in a senior post in the rail industry or related engineering sector, or in a technically focused further/higher education or related sector. Experience of managing a range of geographically diverse partnerships, delivering a technical service.

Technical skills and knowledge A track record of driving quality and assurance standards across an organisation, with a clear focus on outcomes. Ability to secure excellent value for money, meet deadlines and to deliver to budget. Track record of leading and managing change/integration successfully with demonstrable improvements in service delivery and operational effectiveness. A strong understanding of the skills issues faced by the sector and of the current qualifications system and progression routes. Other First class interpersonal skills a highly effective communicator able to have impact with a wide range of organisations and individuals from a variety of backgrounds and to gain the on-going support and engagement of employers in the development of the college. Demonstrable media experience and skills. Track record of dealing with Government departments or national transport agencies. Maturity, presence and leadership must be politically astute and diplomatic. Evidence of motivating and communicating effectively with staff and stakeholders at all levels within a complex environment.

Terms and Conditions of Service This is a permanent appointment. The benefits package includes a contributory pension scheme. Annual leave entitlement is 35 days National College for High Speed Rail Page 8 Any offer of appointment is subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and is also subject to a 6 month probationary period. Equal Opportunities The National College for High Speed Rail is committed to embracing and valuing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity within its workforce. Our goal is to ensure that these commitments, reinforced by our values, are embedded in our day-today working practices with all our customers, colleagues and partners. The College, as part of its compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, advances equality of opportunity for all its employees, and does not tolerate discrimination on grounds of gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, disability, HIV positivity, working pattern, caring responsibilities, trade union activity, political beliefs or on any other grounds. Recruitment Process Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 13 April 2015 Longlist meeting: w/c 13th April 2015 1 st stage consultant interviews: w/c 20 April 2015 Shortlist meeting: w/c 04 May 2015 Final interview stage: w/c 11May 2015 Please do highlight in you application if you are unavailable for any aspects of this process. Queries If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal discussion, then please contact John Dodd at our retained consultants, Wickland Westcott on 01625 508100.

How to Apply To apply for this job please submit a comprehensive CV and supporting statement, quoting reference 6999 and forward this to 6999@wickland-westcott.co.uk before the closing date. Please ensure that your supporting statement fully states how your skills and experience match the person specification for this role; your CV should cover your full career history and provide details of associated responsibilities and key achievements. You should also provide the names, positions, organisations and telephone contact numbers of two referees. You are invited and encouraged to complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form which will be emailed to you following your application. The information on this form is important and will be treated as confidential and will not be treated as part of your application. Finally please ensure that you have included mobile, work and home telephone numbers on your CV, as well as any dates when you will not be available for interview. The closing date for applications is 9am Monday 6 th April 2015