CWCA: Director of Inclusive Economy, Skills & Health

United Kingdom Cheshire West & Chester Council To provide strategic leadership for Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority's agenda around inclusive economy (including education, training and employment), skills (at all levels) and health (tackling health inequality).

The postholder will have a particular and immediate focus on the successful mobilisation of devolved adult skills, leading the design and implementation of the first-year operating model for the devolved Adult Skills Fund (ASF). This will include strategic planning, commissioning design, provider and employer engagement, and robust performance and outcomes frameworks, ensuring the Authority is fully prepared to deliver from day one of devolved responsibility.

Working in partnership, the postholder will lead the development of an integrated, employer-responsive and inclusive skills and employment system - aligned to the current and future health landscape. The role will connect skills, employment, inclusion and health priorities to increase participation, improve access to good work, address skills gaps and support people furthest from the labour market.

The postholder will also provide strategic leadership for the Combined Authority's statutory duty to tackle health inequalities, ensuring that reducing inequalities and improving population outcomes are embedded across relevant strategies, investment decisions and programmes.

RESPONSIBILITIES; the Director of Inclusive Economy, Skills and Health, will...

Lead the Combined Authority's strategic skills, employment, inclusion and health inequalities functions, using these levers to support inclusive economic growth, improve productivity and increase economic participation across Cheshire and Warrington.

During the Authority's establishment phase, the immediate priority will be the successful mobilisation and delivery of devolved Adult Skills and the creation of a new team to support the wider inclusive growth agenda.

• Lead the end-to-end mobilisation of devolved adult skills funding , ensuring CWCA is fully operationally ready for the first year of delivery.
• Develop and secure agreement to a clear first-year delivery plan, including priorities, funding allocations, operating model, and outcomes framework.
• Design and implement the future commissioning approach, including:
• Establish robust governance, financial management and audit arrangements in line with devolved funding requirements.
• Provide confidence to Members, government departments and partners that CWCA can successfully "land" devolution with strong delivery from Year 1.
• Manage the transition from national to local control, including stakeholder alignment and risk management.
• Oversee the implementation and optimisation of the ASF following Year 1 mobilisation. Ensure provision is high quality, financially robust, and aligned to employer demand and CWCA priority sectors.
• Drive innovation in delivery models, including progression pathways.

• • Provider market engagement and shaping
  • Funding and contracting models
  • Performance and assurance frameworks

Strategic Leadership and Advisory

• As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, contribute corporately to the leadership, culture, financial sustainability and organisational development of the Combined Authority.
• Design, build and lead a high-performing inclusive growth team, establishing the capacity, capability and culture required to deliver the Authority's ambitions and devolved responsibilities - now and into the future.
• Lead the development and delivery of a the CWCA approach to the wider inclusive growth agenda, aligned to the Authority's emerging priorities.
• Act as principal adviser to the Chief Executive, Mayor and Board Members on employment, skills, inclusion and health.
• Translate national policy, funding and devolution commitments into locally deliverable strategies and programmes.

Employment Support & Economic Participation

• Design and deliver a coherent employment support system across Cheshire and Warrington, working closely with DWP, local authorities, health and VCFSE partners.
• Lead targeted interventions to reduce economic inactivity, particularly among under-represented groups and residents with health conditions, disabilities or complex barriers.
• Improve outcomes on participation, retention and in-work progression.

Sector Skills & Workforce Development

• Work with employers and key stakeholders to identify workforce needs and future skills demand.
• Lead the development of priority sector workforce pipelines (e.g. advanced manufacturing, life sciences and clean energy).
• Support employer-led approaches to workforce planning, productivity and retention.

Inclusion & Health Inequalities (Statutory Contribution)

• Lead CWCA's strategic role in addressing health inequalities, working in partnership with the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System (ICS), other key health stakeholders including the VCFSE sector and local authorities.
• Embed inclusive growth principles across all programmes and investments.
• Align employment, skills and health interventions to tackle the social determinants of health.

Commissioning, Funding & Delivery

• Oversee commissioning of programmes and services in line with CWCA procurement and assurance requirements.
• Ensure strong programme governance, performance management and evaluation across a significant funding portfolio.
• Maximise external investment and alignment of devolved funding.

Partnership and System Leadership

Lead and influence a complex regional partnership of local authorities, NHS, ICS, DWP, DfE, providers, employers and voluntary sector organisations to deliver shared outcomes.

Build and lead effective partnerships with:

• Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington Councils
• NHS and ICS partners
• Department for Work and Pensions
• Further Education colleges, independent training providers and universities
• Employers and business representative organisations
• Represent CWCA regionally and nationally on skills, employment, health and inclusion.

Governance, Assurance & Risk

• Support portfolio leadership on the CWCA Board and provide clear and timely reporting.
• Support VCFSE and health representatives on the CWCA Partnership Advisory Board
• Manage budgets, contracts, and commissioned services in line with CWCA policies and procedures.
• Develop clear performance frameworks and KPIs to demonstrate impact.
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties, funding rules and audit requirements.
• Manage risk across a complex and high-profile programme portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with procurement and assurance frameworks.

Key Accountabilities

• Effective delivery of ASF and devolved skills and employment programmes
• Reduction in economic inactivity and improved labour market outcomes
• Strong alignment between employer demand and skills provision
• Measurable progress on inclusion and health inequality outcomes
• Achievement of value for money and positive audit/assurance outcomes.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential Knowledge and Experience

• Significant senior leadership experience in employment, skills, economic development, health or re