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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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