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Director - Workforce Policy and Services
| Posting date: | 02 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £68,400 - £85,500 (depending on experience) |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 01 June 2025 |
| Location: | London, WC1A 2SL |
| Company: | Association of Colleges |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 18 |
Summary
Job Advert
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Association of Colleges (AoC) in a new position of Director – Workforce Policy and
Services. As the national voice for further education (FE) colleges in England, AoC represents and supports member colleges with
professional services, advocacy, and sector leadership. We are a not-for-profit organisation established by colleges, for colleges
– supporting over 95% of the sector, transforming 2.2 million lives each year.
This senior leadership role will oversee the strategic direction and delivery of AoC’s workforce function – including directing FE
workforce policy, industrial relations and pay, employment advice, recruitment, and consultancy. Reporting to the Deputy Chief
Executive, the successful candidate will work collaboratively across the organisation and with key external stakeholders to
promote and represent the employer interests of colleges across England.
We are seeking an experienced leader with a strong background in at least one area of the workforce remit, strategic insight,
advocacy skills and a commitment to supporting colleges and their people. A deep understanding of the challenges facing the FE
workforce and a collaborative, inclusive approach to leadership is essential. You will bring excellent stakeholder engagement and
influencing skills, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to drive service quality and innovation.
As Director, you will lead and manage a multi-functional team delivering high-quality workforce services and advice to colleges,
ensuring these are responsive to sector needs. You will represent college employers in national pay negotiations and workforce
policy development, oversee recruitment and consultancy services, and with your team drive policy influencing and evidence-based
decision-making through strong stakeholder engagement and data insight. This is a varied and strategic role that combines
leadership, sector advocacy, and operational oversight across FE employment and workforce priorities.
This role is offered on a permanent, full-time basis. There will be regular travel to AoC’s national office in London and across
the country to attend meetings and represent the organisation. Flexible working requests will be considered. If you’re a senior
workforce leader with a passion for improving outcomes in education and want to be at the forefront of shaping FE workforce policy
and services, we’d love to hear from you!
At AoC, we value trust, flexibility and professional growth. You’ll join a high-performing, mission-led organisation that offers
generous benefits, flexible working, and opportunities to develop your career while making a positive impact on the FE community.
About AoC [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us]
AoC Values [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us/working-aoc/aoc-values]
Careers at AoC [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us/work-for-aoc]
Reward at AoC [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us/working-aoc/aoc-rewards]
Please review the full job description and person specification, which outlines the role in more detail. If you have any questions
or would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact the hiring manager, julian.gravatt@aoc.co.uk.
Hours:
Full Time, 37.5 Hours per week
How to Apply
If you think you have the skills, experience, and attributes to hit the ground running in this position, we would welcome your
application. Click 'apply now' below.
To be considered for this role, your application must be submitted and received by 9am on 26 May 2025.
Interviews:
Date: 6 June 2025
Venue: In person, AoC London Office
AoC is committed to providing equal opportunities and embracing diversity. We encourage applications from everyone and will not
discriminate against any applicants on the basis of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race,
religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable
you to apply or attend any interview, please email us at careers@aoc.co.uk [careers@aoc.co.uk] to let us know or contact the HR
team via telephone: 020 7034 9900.
Thank you for your interest in this opportunity to join the AoC team.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Association of Colleges (AoC) in a new position of Director – Workforce Policy and
Services. As the national voice for further education (FE) colleges in England, AoC represents and supports member colleges with
professional services, advocacy, and sector leadership. We are a not-for-profit organisation established by colleges, for colleges
– supporting over 95% of the sector, transforming 2.2 million lives each year.
This senior leadership role will oversee the strategic direction and delivery of AoC’s workforce function – including directing FE
workforce policy, industrial relations and pay, employment advice, recruitment, and consultancy. Reporting to the Deputy Chief
Executive, the successful candidate will work collaboratively across the organisation and with key external stakeholders to
promote and represent the employer interests of colleges across England.
We are seeking an experienced leader with a strong background in at least one area of the workforce remit, strategic insight,
advocacy skills and a commitment to supporting colleges and their people. A deep understanding of the challenges facing the FE
workforce and a collaborative, inclusive approach to leadership is essential. You will bring excellent stakeholder engagement and
influencing skills, strong strategic thinking, and the ability to drive service quality and innovation.
As Director, you will lead and manage a multi-functional team delivering high-quality workforce services and advice to colleges,
ensuring these are responsive to sector needs. You will represent college employers in national pay negotiations and workforce
policy development, oversee recruitment and consultancy services, and with your team drive policy influencing and evidence-based
decision-making through strong stakeholder engagement and data insight. This is a varied and strategic role that combines
leadership, sector advocacy, and operational oversight across FE employment and workforce priorities.
This role is offered on a permanent, full-time basis. There will be regular travel to AoC’s national office in London and across
the country to attend meetings and represent the organisation. Flexible working requests will be considered. If you’re a senior
workforce leader with a passion for improving outcomes in education and want to be at the forefront of shaping FE workforce policy
and services, we’d love to hear from you!
At AoC, we value trust, flexibility and professional growth. You’ll join a high-performing, mission-led organisation that offers
generous benefits, flexible working, and opportunities to develop your career while making a positive impact on the FE community.
About AoC [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us]
AoC Values [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us/working-aoc/aoc-values]
Careers at AoC [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us/work-for-aoc]
Reward at AoC [https://www.aoc.co.uk/about-us/working-aoc/aoc-rewards]
Please review the full job description and person specification, which outlines the role in more detail. If you have any questions
or would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact the hiring manager, julian.gravatt@aoc.co.uk.
Hours:
Full Time, 37.5 Hours per week
How to Apply
If you think you have the skills, experience, and attributes to hit the ground running in this position, we would welcome your
application. Click 'apply now' below.
To be considered for this role, your application must be submitted and received by 9am on 26 May 2025.
Interviews:
Date: 6 June 2025
Venue: In person, AoC London Office
AoC is committed to providing equal opportunities and embracing diversity. We encourage applications from everyone and will not
discriminate against any applicants on the basis of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race,
religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable
you to apply or attend any interview, please email us at careers@aoc.co.uk [careers@aoc.co.uk] to let us know or contact the HR
team via telephone: 020 7034 9900.
Thank you for your interest in this opportunity to join the AoC team.