Skills Delivery Manager

Team:Skills Delivery Manager Skills for Life and Work Salary:Band 6 – £40,216 PA Job Location:Based in Belfast with travel throughout Northern Ireland Working Hours:F/T 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday Contract:Permanent, subject to funding Disability Action (DA) is a dynamic and thriving charity committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities across Northern Ireland. We provide a wide range of services and support to empower people with disabilities, in employment, skills provision, advocacy and more, ensuring they can live independently and participate fully in society. As part of our ongoing growth and organisational development, we are seeking a dedicated Skills Delivery Manager, to lead our newly awarded Skills for Life and Work (SfLW) provision. This pivotal role will oversee the implementation and delivery of high-quality, impactful skills learning within our new state-of-the-art DA Skills Hub, ensuring it operates as a vibrant centre for skills development both in person and online. You will play a key role in empowering young people to gain vocational, technical, work and life skills, to achieve their chosen employment, careers and future skills pathways. While also making a lasting difference to the lives of the people and communities we support. Our DA Skills Hub is located in our Headquarters in Belfast and future development of Skills for Life and Work (SfLW) is planned in other sites throughout Northern Ireland. The successful candidate will also spearhead our delivery approach in these new sites. Key Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Skills Delivery Manager (SfLW) will include: Lead ongoing implementation of our Skills for Life and Work (SfLW) provision, via an initial rolling two-year operational development model that provides young people with disabilities tailored skills provision, vocational qualifications, work experience and life skills via our supportive and dynamic in person and virtual DA Skills Hub. Develop, implement, and maintain a SfLW operational delivery model and development plan, that utilises DA roles and resources, alongside subcontractors and partners expertise and inputs effectively, to ensure diverse student learning and support needs are fully met, and we maintain effective and inclusive ongoing student health and wellbeing. Plan and direct resources, creating in person and online engagement activities and events, to source and secure a regular flow of suitable SfLW participants, with new participant cohorts starting at key agreed points throughout the year. Design and oversee detailed curriculum plans and skills learning that meets student aspirations and support needs, and uses resources effectively and inclusively to maximise their achievements across time, quality and progression milestones. Establish, monitor, and manage team-wide processes and systems, KPIs, and performance measures (including subcontractors and partners), to ensure consistently high quality and timely SfLW provision, qualifications and outcomes are in place to meet DA, funder and standards set by qualifications and oversight bodies such as OCN NI and ETI. Collaborate with DA finance and corporate teams to ensure that accurate and timely monthly claims are submitted to the funder, to manage spend within overall budgets, and to ensure consistent achievement of financial and income KPIs. Provide clear leadership and direction to staff, including recruitment, onboarding, supervision, appraisals, and professional development, ensuring a high-performing and motivated team is maintained. Foster strong relationships with external stakeholders, including schools, young people, parents, subcontractors, DfE colleagues, training providers, employers, careers service and qualifications awarding bodies, to build and maintain a high profile for our SfLW provision and achievements overall. Maintain accurate delivery, resources, and financial records and reporting to DA wider management and Senior Management Teams and input to regular reporting to the Funder as required. Foster a continuous improvement approach, utilising internal quality assurance expertise and wider learning to ensure that organisational and funder audit and improvement planning cycles and actions are in place and effective. Ensure professionalism and confidentiality at all times, ensuring compliance with GDPR and data protection standards, and in all HR processes and communications Any other duties required to fulfil the requirements of the position. Essential Criteria At least three-years recent (within the last five years) management experience in a relevant skills, employability or post primary education setting, with a high degree of self-directed curriculum planning to meet students and internal and external stakeholder requirements A professional third level qualification in a relevant discipline such as teaching, project management, and community or social inclusion programmes or projects delivery Knowledge and experience of: skills and employability delivery design, development, curriculum planning and management Resources planning, monitoring and management KPIs, quality, financial and measurement setting, monitoring and reporting Achievement focus and effective self-evaluation and continuous improvement planning and actions team-wide Adherence to data protection regulations, such as GDPR, and strict confidentiality protocols Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams and experience with HR software or databases and website and social media tools Experience of working with multiple stakeholders internally/externally and meeting diverse needs Professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential information Strong organisational skills with keen attention to detail for accurate record-keeping and data management Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks while meeting deadlines Collaborative team player with the ability to build positive working relationships Flexibility to adapt to changing focus, priorities, including HR management practices as required High level of accuracy in data and document management, and maintaining records Desirable Criteria Hold the Certificate in Teaching (CIT) or willingness to begin the CIT within two years of starting post, or PGCE Specific skills and experience in relevant programmes and provision focused on the diverse needs of young people with disabilities aged 16-22 Project management experience and/or qualified. Work with us What we can offer you: Hybrid Working (if applicable) Death in Service package Health Cash Plan In house Counselling services Training and Development opportunities Enhanced Maternity packages Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being 27 days paid holidays per year and 11 bank holidays (Based on a full time role) Opportunities for growth in business development, project implementation, training and development and personal development plans Additional Information Disability Action is an equal opportunities employer committed to providing opportunities for all. We offer salary packages that are reflective of experience and aligned with industry standards, alongside a supportive environment that encourages professional growth. As a progressive charity, we provide our employees with opportunities to develop their skills and gain experience across a wide range of areas in a secure and thriving workplace. We are a Responsible Body for Access NI. A disclosure check will be undertaken; however, a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining this role….