Job Description

Creative Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media Industries.  We support the UK’s creative industries, helping to build a world beating creative economy through skills.  We are currently recruiting for the following position:

Project Lead, Apprenticeships

Fixed term – until September 2017 with opportunity for contract extension and career progression

Full-time

£50,000 - £55,000 per annum (incl. London weighting) + company benefits

Application deadline: 2 September 2016

Are you passionate about building bridges between education and the creative industries?  Do you want to shape and implement an effective Apprenticeship solution that would benefit young talent across UK?

In this role you will closely work with the CEO, senior colleagues and key external contacts to build strong, dynamic relationships with our industry partners and leading on the roll out of an industry solution.

This is a fast paced role for an experienced Project Lead, with ambitious targets.  It requires the ability to deliver consistent standards, ensuring the effective quality assurance of all Apprenticeship programmes, and keeping costs in line with financial forecasts, agreed budgets and funding.

We offer good benefits and a flexible approach to working.

If you are interested in applying, please find the job description below and forward your CV and cover letter (addressing your suitability for the role and how your experience matches the job description) including the position name in the subject line.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your application is received by us on time.

Interviews are expected to take place during week starting on 5 September 2016 (subject to change).

Successful applicants will be contacted for interview as soon as possible after the application closing date. 

Skillset is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role context

The UK’s creative industries contribute significantly to the UK’s economic growth and global influence.  Creative Skillset works with industry and Government to develop industry skills and talent – primarily across film, television, post-production, visual effects and animation.

The introduction of the new Apprenticeship Levy provides an opportunity to build the foundation for a strong skills and talent pipeline for our fast changing industries, enable diversity and effective talent progression, and implement consistent development and training standards.  

This exciting role will suit someone who is entrepreneurial and strategic and who wants to play a pivotal role in shaping an important emerging industry-driven solution to meet the needs of a flexible and substantially freelance workforce across the creative industries.

Role purpose

The Project Lead, Apprenticeships will work with the CEO, senior colleagues and key external contacts to shape and implement an effective Apprenticeships solution for our industries

They will lead all activity and provision of the Creative Skillset Apprenticeship programme:   identifying what is needed; building strong, dynamic relationships with our industry partners by understanding the skills and capability challenges; moving effectively into piloting modules and solutions while assessing feasibility; mapping an industry solution; and leading the roll-out of an industry solution.  The role holder will have to think through provision for consistent standards, quality, assessment and certification – ensuring the effective quality assurance of all Apprenticeship programmes, and keeping costs in line with financial forecasts, agreed budgets and funding.

Role priorities

• Review, develop and recommend an Apprenticeship skills strategy for the screen industry of today and tomorrow.
• Review current industry Apprenticeships research/planning and recommend, scope and plan for future development.
• Develop processes and a framework for core Apprenticeships, piloting across the industry to ensure it is end-user focused and administratively light-touch. 
• Develop and pilot Apprenticeship programmes where something specific or different is required.
• Build on existing good practice and innovation to explore all appropriate routes to industry learning and development through Apprenticeships.  
• Introduce best practice and innovation around Apprenticeships to support the industry in its future growth and strategy.
• Contribute to other projects which will support the development of the strategy for Apprenticeships in the future and contribute to the wider strategic agenda.
• Manage the forecasting and tracking for all Apprenticeship-based delivery.
• Drive the commercial business planning for Apprenticeships, liaising with Government bodies and organisations to secure appropriate use of the Levy credits.  
• Operate collaboratively in partnership with industry talent and with learning and HR leaders.
• Contribute to the industry communications plan, working with colleagues to ensure that Apprenticeship-based initiatives are reflected across Creative Skillset communications.  
• Represent Creative Skillset and the industry externally on Apprenticeships in relationships with key stakeholders such as the NAS, Dfes, the SFA and other Sector Employer Bodies.
• Lead on development across qualifications – reflecting the outcomes of industry consultation – and identify potential development areas, influencing Creative Skillset decisions using experience and knowledge of successful project implementation.  

Candidate profile

The role requires an experienced and rounded apprenticeship, education and qualifications professional who has operated in a best practice environment and 'knows what good looks like’.  The successful candidate’s skills will include contemporary education and learning techniques, plus broad expertise across the apprenticeships, qualifications and assessment agenda.

This is, in essence, a change management role which can only be successfully delivered by working collaboratively with industry leaders.

The Apprenticeships Project Lead will have comprehensive experience in relevant areas, as follows:

• Experience of operational and strategic planning and delivery.

• Proven success in developing, turning around or establishing a professional education and qualification function.
• Vocational delivery of teaching, learning and assessment OR

Education and qualification expertise from apprenticeships to degree level

• Knowledge of course construction and assessment processes.
• A track record of providing guidance and consultation on issues that require specialised knowledge and judgement – such as changes to the nature and structure of qualifications, the application of policy and involvement in the advancement of specific programmes.
• Experience and understanding of the wider skills agenda.
• An awareness of the Apprenticeship Levy and its implications.
• Business/commercial experience in running vocational programme.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and managing cost-effective and efficient partnerships with third party qualification providers.
• Proven experience of and/or interest in the creative industries.
• Experience of delivering results in a fast-paced, evolving industry-central organisation would be a significant advantage.

Skills required for role  

The Apprenticeships Project Lead will:

• Have self-starter confidence, advanced organisational ability, excellent planning and prioritising capabilities, effective time management skills and excellent project management abilities. 
• Have the ability to work with minimum supervision, taking personal responsibility and owning tasks.
• Be able to build effective and collaborative cross-functional working relationships and to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Be a convincing and influential communicator with experience of using judgement in difficult negotiations and the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Demonstrate creative and innovative approaches to owning and resolving complex problems and issues.
• Have excellent networking skills and the ability to develop and grow sustainable relationships.
• Have the ability to lead, motivate and inspire colleagues in working towards business objectives.
• Show commitment to team working and the ability to work harmoniously and co-operatively with colleagues.
• Show commitment to deliver the highest quality output.
• Have the ability to drive change in a complex, dynamic matrix organisation.
• Show commitment to innovation and best practice, and a ‘can‐do’ mind set.
• Demonstrate commercial understanding and business awareness.
• Demonstrate professional integrity and confidentiality.
• Have a positive and energetic approach to delivering projects.