Local Digital Skills Partnership Manager - West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Kirklees Council are advertising this role on behalf of West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to play a pivotal role in establishing, developing and embedding the West Yorkshire Digital Skills Partnership.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is seeking a Local Digital Skills Manager to lead and shape the new Local Digital Skills Partnership (LDSP) for West Yorkshire.

Leaders of the five West Yorkshire councils have secured an ambitious devolution deal with Government, which will see an historic transfer of powers and investment from Whitehall to our region. It will give local control of at least £1.8 billion of funding to be spent on the things that matter to the people of West Yorkshire. The LDSP is one of the workstreams under the devolution agreement.

The objective of the LDSP is to bring together key stakeholders involved in digital skills (both supply and demand) to work to identify digital skills needs, barriers and identify opportunities (and deliver) interventions.

This is a high profile and varied position, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to improving digital skills provision in Leeds City Region. It is also a chance to build strong, lasting and productive relationships between businesses, the education and training sector and national Government.

The person

We are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated individual with exceptional stakeholder management and relationship building skills. An understanding of and experience working with companies around digital skills issues is desirable.

There will be scope for the successful candidate to help shape the direction and focus of the partnership, working closely with employers, training providers and other key regional stakeholders. The postholder will liaise with the other regional DSPs to share learning and best practice across the pilots.

The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing strong effective relationship with relevant Government departments, directly influencing national policy.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Co-ordinating the digital skills development and provision across West Yorkshire and the wider City Region
• Developing an Action Plan with stakeholders to drive activity
• Exploring opportunities to pilot innovative skills provision
• Promoting flexibility and creativity in digital skills delivery
• Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
• Identifying best practice and sharing findings with other LEPs/Combined Authorities
• Learning from the national Digital Skills Partnership and other Local Digital Skills Partnerships across the country

The post will build upon the strong foundations of the employer-led agenda established by the Employment and Skills Panel and Digital Board.  All activities will be aligned with the Employment and Skills Plan and the Digital Framework which underpin the LEP's Strategic Economic Framework and the emerging Local Industrial Strategy.

What next?

To submit your application please visit: http://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/jobs/ by 23:55 Monday 6th July 2020.

Please read the Local Digital Skills Partnership Manager role profile before applying for this job.

If you have any questions about the role, after reading the full role profile, please contact Sarah Bowes on 0113 348 1101 or sarah.bowes@westyorks-ca.gov.uk

Further information

West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership work with local councils and businesses to ensure that everyone in our region benefits from a strong, successful economy and a modern, accessible transport network.

Overall, the Combined Authority covers a population of around 2.5 million people, 1.5 million jobs, over 120,000 businesses and represents the largest, and perhaps the most diverse, economy outside London.

For more information about the work of the Combined Authority please visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk

We offer an excellent benefits package including 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, access to the local government pension scheme (with generous employer contributions) and fully funded travel throughout West Yorkshire by bus and rail with the MCard.  We also offer an encouraging environment that will allow you to achieve your best work/life balance and career goals.  

The Combined Authority’s aim is to attract people from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture and represent the communities we serve.  We welcome applications from everyone regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Applicants with a disability are guaranteed an interview, subject to the minimum criteria being met.

We are committed to inclusivity and will consider requests for flexible working including part time and job share arrangements.

Please note that whilst it is our policy to recruit at SP1 for all appointments, each role includes career salary progression, with incremental increases applicable in most cases, on an annual basis.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to respond to all applicants. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Candidate information will be retained by the Combined Authority for six months unless you make a request for this to be deleted.