A high-profile leadership role delivering inclusive growth, improved life chances and healthier communities across Hull and East Yorkshire.

‍

‍

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is seeking an experienced Programme Director – Employment, Skills & Healthy Communities to provide strategic leadership for one of its most significant devolved portfolios. This role will be central to translating devolution into real outcomes for residents, employers and communities.

‍

‍

The role

Reporting into the Executive Director of Strategy, Devolution & Operations, you will lead HEYCA’s Employment, Skills & Healthy Communities portfolio and oversee the successful implementation of devolved responsibilities and programmes, including:

• Connect to Work and Work Well programmes
• Adult Skills Fund and devolved Adult Education Budget
• Free Courses for Jobs and Skills Bootcamps
• Local Skills Improvement Plan and Skills Board
• Careers Pathway Redesign and Careers Hub
• Post-16 reforms and skills system transformation
• Health integration, including the NHS 10-Year Plan and the Mayor’s Health Duty
• Young people’s programmes, including the Youth Guarantee
• Community safety, sport and physical activity investment

‍

‍

You will work closely with the Mayor, Executive Team, government departments and delivery partners to ensure programmes are effectively commissioned, financially robust and aligned to local economic and social priorities.

‍

‍

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all employment, skills and healthy communities programmes on behalf of HEYCA
• Lead commissioning and financial management of devolved funding streams, ensuring value for money and impact
• Translate policy and strategy into deliverable plans in partnership with the Executive Director and Strategic Leadership Team
• Ensure operational readiness and statutory compliance for devolved Adult Education and skills functions
• Lead development and delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plan in partnership with the Employer Representative Body
• Work closely with DfE, DWP and Jobcentre Plus to align local and national employment provision
• Develop targeted programmes addressing labour market challenges using UKSPF and other devolved funding
• Lead use of labour market intelligence to inform strategic priorities and programme design
• Strengthen careers advice, guidance and pathways to support social mobility and future workforce needs
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, providers, employers and national partners
• Provide professional advice to the Executive Team and Mayor on policy, risk and delivery matters
• Inspire and lead high-performing teams and delivery partners, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement

‍

‍

About you

You will be a senior leader with deep experience in employment, skills, education, health integration or related public-service systems. You will bring:

• Proven experience delivering complex, multi-partner programmes at scale
• Strong understanding of devolution, commissioning and public funding
• Experience working with central government departments and local stakeholders
• The ability to translate policy into practical, impactful delivery
• A collaborative, people-focused leadership style with a strong commitment to inclusion

‍

‍

Why join HEYCA?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of employment, skills and health across Hull and East Yorkshire, delivering tangible improvements in opportunity, wellbeing and economic resilience.

‍

Please note the closing date for this vacancy is 2nd of February 2026.