We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

The Employment & Skills Service is part of Coventry City Council.  We work with a range of delivery partners to provide a wide portfolio of top quality support to Coventry residents of all ages who are looking for work.  We work with partners across the city and our Employer Hub actively works with local employers to generate opportunities for local people. 

Our friendly and welcoming Job Shop is situated in Coventry City Centre. We are here to support all Coventry residents to search for employment, training, apprenticeships and work placements.  People can explore a wide range of local vacancies that are updated daily and access training opportunities.  

We also provide ground-breaking specialist support for local residents who face multiple and sometimes complex barriers that make it hard for them to find a job.  The Job Shop and our exciting range of specialist employment support programmes are among the very best support available in the UK 

In line with our One Coventry Values we strive to have a workforce that reflects our local communities and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic backgrounds, applicants who have a disability and applicants who are from the LGBTQ+ community to apply for our senior leadership roles. 

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Coventry City Council’s highly successful Employment & Skills Service is seeking an experienced Programme Delivery Manager who will make a significant contribution to the strategic leadership team.

As a member of the Service's Senior Leadership Team, the appointed individual will assume responsibility for spearheading excellence across Employment and Skills initiatives, ensuring alignment with and effective Employment team delivery and implementation of the Coventry Skills Strategy.

Your role will involve leading the ongoing enhancement of Employment and Skills programs by devising and executing pertinent strategies and change management protocols. This includes maintaining vigilant financial oversight, robust quality assurance, and compliance with legislative and funding mandates.

Under your guidance, the Service will proactively respond to employer requirements and adapt to the evolving funding environment while meeting the diverse needs of the community. Additionally, you will play a critical role in supporting the Head of Service in cross service initiatives and funding opportunities.

Aligned with the One Coventry approach, your responsibilities will extend to collaboration across the Council and with other skills providers and Employers to ensure the City's employment and learning opportunities are impactful and feature clear pathways to better outcomes for our residents. Effective communication of our local vision to staff, learners, and stakeholders will be core part of your role.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion agenda, actively fostering an inclusive culture within the service where all perspectives are valued, including those of learners, staff, stakeholders, and the City Council.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished leader with a track record of operational and strategic excellence, ideally drawn from across the employment and skills sector with a good understanding of innovation. You must demonstrate strategic vision, commercial acuity, and a strong commitment to promoting quality.

You will be politically astute, able to work with risk, to innovate and drive us to be modern, flexible, and ambitious. Proactive and able to thrive on challenges and opportunities, as well as experienced in managing large budgets, prioritising strategic goals whilst maintaining an effective grip on delivery. You will have a track record of driving improvement and creating positive change, with excellent people management skills, and a focus on staff empowerment and accountability. 

A good understanding of relevant local, regional, and national skills and economic policies is important, along with strong understanding of how the acquisition of employability and life skills can raise aspirations and make a difference to people's lives. 

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'

Interviews 11th March 2024

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies