RTF2526 242
Senior lead - Business, Innovation and Skills
Permanent
37 hours per week
Management Spine points 17
£61,280
Closing Date: Monday 27th July
Senior Lead – Business, Innovation and Skills
Shape skills. Build partnerships. Drive regional impact.
Are you a strategic leader with a track record of growing apprenticeships, building high-value employer relationships and turning skills priorities into real opportunities?
Tyne Coast College is looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Senior Lead – Business, Innovation and Skills to lead our employer engagement and skills agenda at a pivotal time for technical education, apprenticeships and workforce development. Based on the North East coast, you'll play a key role in ensuring our curriculum responds to employer needs, supports economic growth and creates outstanding opportunities for learners.
The opportunity
This is more than an employer engagement role. It is a senior leadership position with influence across the College and beyond.
Working closely with senior leaders, curriculum teams, employers and regional partners, you will drive growth in apprenticeships, T Level industry placements, work experience and employer-led provision. You'll help shape how the College responds to changing skills needs, qualification reform and regional economic priorities.
You will:
Lead the College's employer engagement and skills strategy.
Grow apprenticeship provision and employer partnerships across priority sectors.
Build and maintain influential relationships with employers, stakeholders and strategic networks.
Champion innovation, workforce development and skills solutions that meet employer demand.
Lead high-performing teams focused on business engagement, placements and skills delivery.
Influence curriculum development through employer insight and labour market intelligence.
Drive income generation, partnership projects and sustainable business growth.
Represent the College regionally and nationally, strengthening our reputation and impact.
About you
We're looking for a confident and credible leader who combines strategic thinking with a strong understanding of the apprenticeship and skills landscape.
You'll bring:
Significant experience leading apprenticeship operations and employer engagement activity.
A proven record of delivering results at a senior level.
Strong commercial awareness, including funding, performance and income generation.
Experience managing budgets and using data to drive decision-making.
Outstanding stakeholder management and partnership-building skills.
The ability to operate effectively across education, business and regional skills networks.
Excellent communication, influencing and leadership capability.
Degree-level qualifications or equivalent senior leadership experience.
Why join us?
This is a chance to make a lasting difference to learners, employers and the wider regional economy.
You'll join a forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation, collaboration and creating opportunities that change lives. You'll have the platform to shape strategic direction, influence regional skills priorities and lead work that delivers measurable impact for communities and businesses across the North East.
Ready to lead the future of skills?
If you're an experienced senior leader who can build partnerships, drive growth and turn strategy into results, we'd love to hear from you.
Join us and help shape the workforce of tomorrow.
For an informal discussion about the role contact Deborah Marshall, Recruitment Administrator, Tyne Coast College at [email protected] or 0191 338 8157
How to Apply
For further details and to apply, please visit our website TyneCoastCollege
Closing Date: 27 July 2026
Tyne Coast College was created from the merger of South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School, with TyneMet College and Queen Alexandra Sixth Form.
We offer a vast range of educational opportunities for those aged 14 to adults - including A’levels, vocational programmes, apprenticeships, Higher Education and specialist maritime training. Our portfolio is multi award winning with national accolades and a global outstanding reputation for maritime provision. The College has a high performing SEND provision which has been recognised nationally and is a regional specialist in teaching and learning for learners with SEN.
Tyne Coast College is the North East’s world leading maritime training provider and was awarded the Queens Anniversary Prize for its expertise in creating high-tech under and above water digital scenarios and was rated Ofsted ‘Good’ in October 2019.
As a strong proactive voice in the north east we are passionate about providing a dynamic and diverse curriculum brimming with the essential academic and vocational skills’ training that enables students to progress on to their chosen careers.
Our motto for a bigger, better, stronger future for the region encapsulates our commitment to the region, the business sector and those living and working in the north east.
Recruiting high-calibre, professional staff with vocational credibility is at the core of our success. We are looking for dynamic and innovative individuals with a passion for achieving excellence through delivering a first class quality service at all times.
