Jobs in London - Business Workforce Development Manager • South East London

Company: CRA GROUP RECRUITMENT AND PAYROLL LTD

South East London

3 months contract with a Local Authority Job Summary:• The London Borough of Lambeth is seeking an experienced Business & Workforce Development Manager (PO5) to join the Education, Learning and Skills directorate on an interim basis.• This senior role provides strategic leadership for workforce development, business planning and early years childcare delivery across the borough.• The postholder will lead on the development and delivery of a comprehensive workforce development plan, oversee traded training services, manage key government-funded early years initiatives, and ensure the sufficiency, quality and sustainability of childcare provision for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.• The role includes direct line management responsibility and close partnership working with schools, providers, government bodies and internal stakeholders.Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):• Lead the development and delivery of the Early Years Workforce Development Plan aligned with government policy.• Design and oversee an annual programme of continuous professional development (CPD) across the early years and childcare sector.• Audit workforce qualifications and training needs and commission appropriate internal and external training provision.• Develop and manage a traded training service, ensuring agreed annual income targets are achieved.• Monitor, evaluate and report on the quality and impact of training programmes.• Provide strategic financial and business planning advice to senior leaders, schools, children’s centres and childcare providers.• Manage and monitor budgets for workforce development and the 2, 3 and 4 year old funded childcare entitlement.• Lead on the implementation and dissemination of government funding streams and capital grants.• Support providers with financial sustainability, business planning and compliance with funding requirements.• Monitor grant expenditure, performance outcomes and value for money.• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team, providing supervision, performance management and professional development.• Act as the operational lead for key government early years initiatives, including funded childcare and the 30 hours entitlement.• Build and maintain strong partnerships with schools, private and voluntary providers, government departments and pan-London networks.• Represent the Council at forums, conferences and stakeholder meetings.• Deputise for the Early Years Quality Improvement Lead as required.• Ensure sufficiency of high-quality childcare places across the borough.• Lead on policy development, funding frameworks and statutory contracts with providers.• Oversee IT systems supporting training access, funding claims and headcount data collection.• Ensure compliance with DfE, Ofsted and local authority requirements.Skills/Experience:• Significant experience in early years, childcare, education or workforce development.• Strong knowledge of business planning, financial management and commissioning.• Proven experience managing government-funded programmes and grant funding.• Experience leading complex projects and delivering strategic initiatives.• Strong stakeholder management skills, including partnership working with external providers.• Experience of managing teams and driving performance.• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentations.• Strong understanding of safeguarding, equality, data protection and public sector governance.Additional Information:• The closing date: 17/12/2025 @12:00.• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.• Client: London Borough of Lambeth.• Location: 332 Brixton Road.• Hours: 35 hours per week.