We are seeking an experienced senior leader to lead the regional and national Workforce and Skills strategy at the National Composites Centre (NCC).

Part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the NCC is an independent, open-access technology centre focused on addressing some of the world’s most complex engineering challenges. You will join this dynamic organisation as it embarks on implementing its new 5-year strategy, one that is growth and impact focused.

Reporting to the Chief Portfolio Officer, you’ll be accountable for building and leading the delivery of a Workforce and Skills strategy that delivers transformational change to support the UK’s Industrial Strategy. You’ll demonstrate strong leadership to develop and implement workforce transformation solutions in partnership with the wider skills ecosystem including Skills England.  These solutions will deliver against the NCCs strategic priorities in key sector and service environments.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop an integrated workforce and skills strategy for the NCC that provides targeted interventions in skills that underpin the delivery of the UKs industrial strategy.
• Build strategic relationships with key stakeholder groups within the national skills ecosystem including Skills England and the Department for Education to promote the use of Skills Value Chain and the role that the HVMC and the NCC can play in the delivery of skills interventions.
• Work collaboratively with broader High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Catapult Network teams to collectively work to inform workforce and skills policy-making.
• Working with key stakeholder groups continue to shape the UK Workforce and Skills Strategy for key sectors within Clean Energy Transition including Hydrogen and Wind and identify areas where the NCC can play a role in convening, curating and diffusing skills.  
• Identify opportunities for the NCC to use its capabilities and assets to deliver upskilling and reskilling opportunities for existing & future workforce.
• Using a systems driven approach to workforce transformation ensure the NCC is actively engaged in defining skills solutions to increase the productivity of the regional industrial clusters of Defence, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and AI and green energy.
• Play an active role in convening the regional skills ecosystem to collaboratively provide workforce interventions that build a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline for current and future needs.
• Demonstrate thought leadership through stakeholder engagement, think pieces and speaking opportunities to inform decision-making nationally and regionally. This could include representing the NCC on the Boards of regional initiatives.
• Be committed to developing the talents of your team and the wider organisation.

Alongside leading day-to-day activities, this role will be central to driving forward high-priority projects and securing the public and private sector funding needed to deliver them.

So, what are we looking for?

• An outstanding ability to forge excellent relationships, be adept at successfully influencing and be able to quickly gain the confidence of leaders across the business, customers, and senior stakeholders. 
• Extensive experience of building collaborative skills solutions across all elements of the skills value chain – convening, curation and diffusion.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills, with the ability to brief on complex issues, present in a clear and concise manner and identify key messages. A proven track record in skilful navigation through senior stakeholders across the skills ecosystem and industry.
• An understanding of how to deliver business outcomes through the design and delivery of campaigns, strategic communications and capability building.
• An ability to create and contribute to a culture of innovation. An understanding of the UK innovation funding and organisation landscape and or working with commercial organisations is desirable.
• A track record of strong leadership, of delivering through others and of developing high performing teams.

The post involves regular travel within the UK.

Not sure you meet all the requirements? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs if they think they may not meet every qualification, when in fact they often do. At the NCC we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We ensure that all hiring decisions are made without regard to age, race, national origin, sex, disability, gender, gender identity, religion, or any other protected characteristics, and will treat all applications with the strictest confidence. We’re always open to hearing how we can support flexible working in different ways, including part-time work. Please don’t be afraid to ask about what we can do to support your needs. All requests will be carefully and fairly considered. We wish you every success in your job search.

Why the NCC?

We see our success in yours. The future of composites manufacturing relies on the NCC, and we rely on the right individuals to make it happen, whether they’re engineers or not!

Diverse challenges – the NCC isn’t just about aerospace. We’re working with over 16 sectors and a variety of customers, from private ventures to the global tier 1 companies, providing variety to your experience.

Innovation – a world-leading research and development centre, the work we do brings novel and innovative solutions to industry, with the future firmly in mind. So we need innovating thinking not just in Engineering, but across all support functions.

Development in composites, and you – if the scope of exciting work isn’t enough to sway you, our ethos of continued learning and development and flexible working patterns will.

We look forward to hearing from you. #fulltime