ACL Transformation Director

Essex County Council; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A local council in the United Kingdom seeks an ACL Transformation Director (part-time, temporary) to lead its transformation agenda aimed at enhancing adult learning and community resilience. The role requires overseeing multiple transformation projects, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities while maintaining financial sustainability. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in adult education transformation, a strong understanding of related funding regulations, and be skilled in navigating complex frameworks to deliver impactful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in adult/further education or public sector environment.
• Track record of delivering measurable savings and improvements.
• Ability to navigate complex programme delivery frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of ACL’s transformation agenda.
• Oversee implementation and performance assurance of transformation projects.
• Provide strategic thought leadership for initiatives.

Skills

Expert-level understanding of Adult Learning and Skills development

Significant experience of leading complex transformation

Strong political awareness

Excellent communication skills

Strong knowledge of data management

Job description

About The Role

ACL Transformation Director

Temporary, Part Time

Upto £900 per day, Umbrella

Location : Countywide

Working Style : Anywhere worker

Closing Date : 17th December 2025

This is a part‑time, temporary position for a period of three months with a possibility of an extension. The role requires a commitment of two to three days per week (or weekly hourly equivalent), with flexibility to align with key meetings and project deadlines. Work will be carried out through a hybrid model, combining remote delivery with on‑site activity at ACL centres, as needed.

Overview

ACL Essex is entering a critical phase of transformation to strengthen its position as a key driver of economic growth, social mobility, and community resilience across the county. In response to significant shifts in funding policy, labour market demands, and the future devolution landscape, ACL is redesigning its operating model to become more agile, financially sustainable, and impact‑focused.

The Fit for the Future programme brings together this strategic change, aligning policy, curriculum, workforce, technology, and customer experience to ensure ACL delivers a modern, skills‑led offer that meets the needs of residents, employers, and disadvantaged communities. This transformation will enable ACL to operate with greater efficiency, extend its reach, and enhance outcomes in employment, health, wellbeing, and lifelong learning.

ACL’s journey is one of modernisation and reinvention—ensuring the right offer reaches the right people, in the right place, and securing ACL’s role as a vital service within Essex’s evolving public service landscape.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of ACL’s transformation agenda, overseeing the definition, implementation, governance, and performance assurance of a portfolio of transformation projects and programmes.
• Ensure the portfolio is balanced in terms of risk, compliance, achievability, and financial sustainability, with projects delivered on time, within budget, and achieving expected outcomes and savings.
• Provide strategic thought leadership in the development and implementation of ACL transformation initiatives, improving outcomes for residents while maintaining financial sustainability.
• Maintain alignment with ACL’s strategic intent, organisational ambitions, and wider ECC priorities, including Devolution and Local Government Reform.
• Direct and support the team in delivering complex programmes of work, from scoping and stakeholder engagement to investment and embedding, while coaching and challenging to keep delivery on track.
• Foster a culture of innovation and rapid prototyping, encouraging swift delivery, learning from quick failures, and embedding continuous improvement.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks, challenges, and blockers by implementing preventative actions and contingency plans.
• Create and communicate a compelling narrative for transformation initiatives and ACL’s future roadmap, tailored for internal and external audiences including senior leaders, members, scrutiny panels, and political stakeholders.
• Translate complex delivery issues into clear, concise updates for diverse audiences, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Coach, develop, and challenge service leadership to strengthen delivery capability, motivating and energising teams to achieve pace, innovation, and consistent follow‑through.
• Build strong cross‑organisational relationships with HR, Finance, Digital, PMO, and service leads to ensure collaborative success.
• Support the Transformation Team in resolving complex design and delivery issues, providing mentoring and guidance to maintain programme schedules and positioning ACL as an innovative national leader.

Candidate experience required

• Expert‑level understanding of Adult Learning and Skills development, including current funding regulations (formerly ESFA).
• Significant experience of leading complex transformation in adult / further education or a comparable public‑sector environment.
• Proven ability to navigate and apply complex programme delivery frameworks, ensuring compliance and effective outcomes.
• Deep understanding of Adult Community Learning, funding regulations (formerly ESFA), MIS / data and digital systems.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable savings and service improvements at pace.
• Strong political awareness and experience of working with elected members and senior officers.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and coaching skills.
• Strong knowledge of data management, digital systems, and transformation methodologies, with the capacity to drive innovation and efficiency across diverse projects.