Head of Skills and Opportunity
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- Employer:
- Bristol City Council
- Location:
- Bristol
- Salary:
- £80,737 - £89,465
- Closing date:
- 16th November 2026
- Job Ref:
- GSe136934
Description
Shape the future of skills. Create opportunity for every Bristol resident.
Bristol is a growing Core City, attracting investment, creating jobs and opening new opportunities. Yet access to learning, skills and employment is not equally shared. Our ambition is to build an inclusive city where every resident can progress and thrive.
Our new Head of Skills and Opportunity will be at the heart of a rapidly changing education, employment and skills landscape. As Government priorities focus increasingly on growth, opportunity, devolution and workforce participation, the council's role is evolving from delivery to system leadership. Reporting to the Director of Education and Skills, you will help ensure Bristol's needs and ambitions shape regional priorities, investment and opportunity.
Working alongside colleges, training providers, schools, employers, the voluntary and community sector, WECA and national partners, you will provide strategic leadership for skills and opportunity across Bristol.
You will strengthen pathways from education into employment, ensuring they respond to employer demand, support economic growth and help more residents access good work. Improving participation and progression for young people at risk of becoming NEET is a key corporate and political priority and central to the West of England's NEET Zero ambition. You will also provide strategic leadership for adult and community learning, employment support, apprenticeships and the council's statutory participation responsibilities.
We are looking for an experienced and collaborative system leader who can influence across organisational boundaries while maintaining a clear focus on outcomes. You will lead a highly regarded team through change, build trusted relationships with partners and champion those communities experiencing the greatest barriers to opportunity.
This is a unique opportunity to shape Bristol's future skills system and help create a city where opportunity is shared by all.
As a diverse Core City, we are keen to attract applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, reflecting the communities we serve.
To view the job description and person specification, please scroll to the bottom of the page, tick to agree to the privacy policy, then click 'Continue to full details'.
How to Apply
- Please submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement addressing the person specification criteria, evidencing how you meet the criteria.
- Detail any employment or education gaps.
- Be ready to provide the names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees; one should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will be contacted for those proceeding to final stages. We will always gain your permission before we contact referees.
- Let us know any difficulty you may have with the indicative timetable.
- Check that your contact details are correct before you submit.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email confirmation. If you do not receive, please email contactus@gatenbysanderson.com
Contact
The following consultants are managing this role and will be happy to answer any questions that are not covered in the person specification on the next webpage.
- Contact:
- Philip Emms
- Telephone:
- 07590 225 472
- Contact:
- Becky Barnes
- Telephone:
- 07831 116 336