Chief Executive - Black Country Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills (ECMS)

Offices of the Vice Chancellor

The Black Country Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills(ECMS) is a new employer-led training facility for the Black Country designed to improve productivity and growth in the high value manufacturing sector (HVM), one of the five transformational sectors for the Black Country, with particular emphasis on the aerospace and motor vehicle sectors. The ECMS will be key in increasing employment investment in skills, increasing the supply of master craftsmen trainers and assessors, improving management and leadership within the sector, meeting replacement demands arising from the ageing workforce and improving the pipeline from education to HVM employment. The University of Wolverhampton has been awarded a grant by the Black Country LEP to develop the ECMS in partnership with the Confederation of British Metal forming, the Cast Metals Federation, the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and Dudley College.

As Chief Executive you will be expected to provide leadership and overall management of the delivery of the ECMS in line with the framework set by the Board. Your key role will be to provide strategic vision, leadership and decision making on all aspects of curriculum development, delivery performance management and quality improvements. In doing this you will work with partner organisations and external bodies to develop successful collaboration of joint curriculum and apprenticeship delivery. You will work with employers to identify their needs and provide a service to support the delivery of training solutions, such that ECMS develops a reputation for responsiveness and excellence. You will lead, develop and implement new areas of delivery and growth, represent the ECMS at corporate, regional and national meetings and identify bidding opportunities. You will also manage the day-to-day operations of the ECMS, ensuring that the delivery provides value for money.

A relevant degree or equivalent level professional qualification is essential, as well as experience of working at a senior level and providing effective leadership in a large complex organisation, preferably engaged in delivering education and training. You should possess a detailed understanding of relevant sector policy and a sound awareness of future policy direction at a local, regional and national level. You should have a high level of financial and commercial acumen, budget management and negotiating ability. You should be able to demonstrate significant recent experience of developing and enhancing commercial partnerships with key stakeholder and employer groups, with the ability to develop business plans and deliver challenging income targets. You should be able to demonstrate highly developed leadership and management skills and be people focused with the ability to lead and motivate.

You will be based at the University of Wolverhampton Springfield Campus and various locations in the Black Country.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Ian Oakes, Deputy VC, via Bernadette Leo on 01902 322587.

It is expected that interviews will take place on Friday 20 May at the University of Wolverhampton City Campus South.

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Closing date: 6 May 2016.

For more information about this post and to apply on line, go to our website www.wlv.ac.uk/jobs

The University of Wolverhampton values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.