Skills Programme Delivery Lead

Cogent Skills; Warrington; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Cogent Skills in Warrington is seeking a skilled project leader to support their programmes and initiatives in the nuclear sector. This role involves leading the design and delivery of various skills programs while ensuring effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience in skills-based project management and an understanding of the UK's skills landscape, particularly within the nuclear industry. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in relevant software tools.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading skills-based projects with knowledge of the UK skills landscape.
• Ability to implement skills initiatives and work with expert groups.
• Knowledge of the nuclear industry or high hazard sectors is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of skills programmes.
• Coordinate daily delivery across workstreams, ensuring quality.
• Act as primary contact for stakeholders and resolve issues.

Skills

Leadership in skills-based projects

Knowledge of the UK skills landscape

Exceptional communication skills

Customer-oriented mindset

Planning and organizational skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

This role will support the teams at both Cogent Skills and NSAN to deliver four out of the five projects. Each programme lead will be responsible for the development and delivery of two of the four workstreams, which include:

• Nuclear Bursary
• Teacher Training Bursary
• Sector Experts into Training
• Training Provider Network

The individual will play a pivotal role in the project, developing programmes and overseeing implementation with inputs from subject matter specialists across the nuclear sector and beyond, building best practice into our delivery for the client.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the design and continuous improvement of specific skills programmes, drawing on subject matter experts, labour market intelligence and other insights.
• Coordinate day‑to‑day delivery across both workstreams assigned, ensuring activities are on track, issues are resolved quickly and quality standards are met.
• Assign tasks and priorities within the programme team, support colleagues with guidance and coaching, and model good practice in delivery.
• Act as primary operational contact for key stakeholders (providers, employers, learners, internal teams), ensuring clear communication and responsive problem‑solving.
• Monitor programme data and feedback (participation, achievement, satisfaction) and recommend changes to improve outcomes and learner/employer experience.
• Prepare regular progress updates and exception reports for the Programme Director / Head of Nuclear Skills, escalating risks and dependencies as needed.
• Work with wider stakeholders to ensure that ED and I is built into the solutions that are developed.

Key Performance Indicators

• Development and delivery of project activities to time, cost and quality constraints.
• Positive feedback from internal project leads and key stakeholders in the industry regarding products/services developed as part of the projects’ key deliverables.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience in leading skills-based projects with detailed knowledge of the UK skills landscape and demonstrable experience in the development and implementation of skills initiatives – essential.
• Experience delivering similar initiatives highlighted above, including experience of working with and facilitating groups of experts across a range of disciplines – desirable.
• Knowledge of the nuclear industry or another high hazard industry with similar disciplines/skills priorities – desirable.
• Strong customer‑oriented mindset with the ability to deliver responsive, high‑quality support whilst building a partnership‑based approach with the client.
• Excellent planning and organisational ability with strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills for effective liaison with all colleagues and stakeholders, and the ability to guide and mentor other team members as required.
• Proactive approach: Demonstrates initiative, with a positive attitude and the ability to assign tasks, sequence work and influence how delivery happens.
• Computer literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, CRM systems, and other relevant software tools.

Communication & Engagement

• Support the collation of content for newsletters/communications and reports (internal and external).
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure standardisation and consistent messaging across all projects to maximise value for money.