Head of Learner Engagement

Serco, the FTSE 250 provider of services to government, is investing to create a best in class vocational skills business. With new funding streams and an increased government commitment to adult learning, this is a key investment priority for Serco in the UK. Head of Learner Engagement is an opportunity to help scale this business and be part of the team that builds a market leader in our target sectors. You will help define our journey and become a key leader in this rapidly expanding business.

Already a major player in delivering apprenticeships to the education sector, we are looking to grow our apprenticeship and provision and leverage our expertise in the funded training sector to become a partner to public sector employers. Alongside this, we have a full pipeline of deals to work on and want to build a robust skills and training delivery capability that will allow us to support major deals across the whole of Serco UK&E, from working for the MoD to the MoJ.

An Amazing opportunity has arisen for a Head of Learner Engagement to join Serco's ever expanding Skills network and take it to another level and make Serco a Major player in this area. The Head of Learner Engagement will work closely with colleagues across the Skills business (e.g. delivery, curriculum development and EdTech) to build the Serco Skills proposition continues to be competitive in the marketplace through the provision of high quality, learner centric and relevant training programmes.

 The role holder will be an integral part of the Skills leadership team and will contribute to the broader business agenda, ensuring that they play a role in the delivery of the business strategy & targets. It is expected that the role holder will form cross Serco relationships for the benefit of their business, in Citizen Services, UK&E and Serco Group in particular, where other training services are provided, e.g. prisons, internal training etc.

Key accountabilities

• Leadership of the Learner and Employer Engagement teams, systems and processes within the Skills unit to achieve the high levels of learner and customer satisfaction r  within the contracted funding envelope
• To achieve the sales and growth targets agreed at regular intervals
• To work with Head of Curriculum to continually develop training materials to meet and anticipate changes in customers' demands, technology and awarding bodies requirements
• Working closely with the Head of Learner and Employer Experience the Head of Curriculum to tailor training delivery and recruitment to the needs to larger customers while maintaining profitability and quality standards
• To work with colleagues on the Skills SMT in developing the culture, systems, processes and skills necessary to embed a learner and customer centric approach to training delivery and curriculum development
• Ensure compliance to funding bodies funding rules and other standards as set out by awarding and regulatory bodies and compliance to the internal Serco SMS
• Lead in the specification and on-going development of the information and reporting systems
• necessary to support the learner recruitment and experience workstreams
• Be a subject matter expert on training delivery and teaching quality within an adult education context, focusing on future innovation and challenges and ensuring Serco is well placed to continue to grow, compliantly, within this market
• Ensure Governance is applied across all of our operations in line with our SMS and corporate policy
• Build a culture of trust and information sharing within the team and within Serco more broadly so that excellent relationships are built and experience leveraged across Serco globally
• Ensure strong succession and development of talent within the Skills Contracts team

Essential technical and professional skills, knowledge and qualifications

• Existing experience in selling to and managing relationships in public and private customers in adult education, in particular apprenticeships.
• Specific experience in the focused subject areas would be advantageous
• Significant experience and a strong track record at a senior management level in adult education
• Demonstrable track record in building, leading and retaining teams of excellent talent
• A recognised & respected leader with a strong network of stakeholders, regulators and partners in adult training
• Excellent people leadership skills. Must be skilled in communicating, cross cultural management, organisational culture development and motivating staff
• Politically incisive in communicating effectively with customers, sector stakeholders, partners and external bodies as relevant
• Demonstrates an impeccable track record of health, safety and compliance leadership
• A demonstrable understanding of the adult skills sector and developments in the related technology, funding, compliance and quality issues

Why Serco

Meaningful and vital work: the nature of our business means you will do interesting work that matters - delivering essential services that touch people's lives.

A world of opportunity: Our diverse UK-wide operations offer unrivalled opportunities to learn and develop. You'll be able to broaden your experience and apply your skills in new ways.

Great people: We are a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed. You'll have the resources you need to do your job in a diverse and supportive environment.

What we offer:

• Salary: £65,856 to £85,112
• 6% Pension Contributions 
• Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, cycle to work scheme and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships;
• We offer flexible/agile working environments and the chance to buy annual leave as part of the Annual Leave Purchase Scheme;
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Flexible work from home options available

We have a mandate to deliver brilliantly. If you think this role would suit you, working in an exciting and challenging environment with like-minded individuals, please apply now and upload a copy of your CV and covering letter.

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.  We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks - SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Silver Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
 

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the 'Ban the Box' pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.