CHIEF EXECUTIVE
INFORMATION PACK
2015
Dear Candidate
Thank you for expressing interest in the role of Chief Executive (CEO) of the ECITB.
This exciting opportunity has arisen because our current CEO (David Edwards) is retiring
after sixteen years leading the ECITB. David has established the ECITB as a highly
respected organisation, a fundamental part of the Engineering Construction Industry (ECI).
His contribution has been vital in setting and developing the standards of training and
qualifications essential to the ECI and for supporting and encouraging excellence in their
delivery by employers and training providers. We wish to appoint a successor who will
continue David’s excellent work.
The ECITB’s mission is “Securing Engineering Construction skills, now and for the future”.
This is achieved through four main service areas:- Apprenticeships, Management &
Professional, Skills & Technical and Competence Assurance programmes.
A total of £30 million is invested annually by the ECITB across these areas to support new
entrant training and in re-skilling and up-skilling the ECI workforce. The funds for these
activities are generated by a levy on ECI employers, supplemented by income from our
commercial operations and government support.
In 2014 the ECITB, yet again, delivered all of its objectives and promises to the ECI. My
colleagues on the Board and I are proud of this organisation, its employees, values,
purpose and track record of delivery for the benefit of learners, employers and the wider
industry.
Our services are geared to provide encouragement and support to employees right across
the spectrum of the ECI. Support to those leaving education and entering work for the first
time, eg. apprentices and graduates, together with support for a broad spectrum of
programmes to up-skill and develop existing employees. We also offer support to new
entrants from other sectors, eg. Armed Forces and manufacturing, by facilitating crosstraining and re-skilling programmes.
Our ambition and priorities for the future include:
 keeping pace with change and leading on developments in training for this dynamic
industry;
 ensuring the skills delivery system meets the needs of ECI employers;
 covering the ECITB’s operational costs from the profits of our commercial activities
thereby increasing the support for employer training needs.
The ECITB and its services are now in demand globally. We have a successful and
growing commercial proposition in both Great Britain and internationally, built around the
licensing and approval of training providers measured against the ECITB’s standards and
assessment services.
As Chief Executive, you would have the support of a diverse Board that includes industry
stakeholders, employers, associations and trades unions. Together with the Chair and
Trustees you would help develop our strategy. With a mandate from the Board you would
implement the annual business plan and policies to deliver the organisation's objectives,
and manage its financial and operational performance. In addition, you would lead and
mentor our eighty staff and ensure their continued professional development.
The ECITB’s status as a Non Departmental Public Body requires you to act as the
Accounting Officer to Government.
This results in assigned duties and requires
relationships to be nurtured with government ministers and officials. Our current Chief
Executive has played a fundamental part in developing the ECITB’s delivery capacity,
influence and enhanced reputation across both the ECI and government and you would
need to be successful in continuing these activities.
The sectors that the ECITB serves include energy and processing, infrastructure, oil & gas,
nuclear power, food processing and water treatment, to name a few. With many new
projects planned, the demand for a highly skilled workforce has never been greater.
Meeting the expectations of our stakeholders in this environment will be a measure of the
ECITB’s future success. This provides the new Chief Executive with an exciting and
unprecedented opportunity to ensure that the ECITB continues to be fit for purpose, able to
anticipate change and respond creatively to meet industry needs.
The role is challenging in its range of responsibilities and opportunities and will provide
enormous rewards to a CEO who shares our vision. This is a tremendous opportunity to
contribute to the prosperity of Great Britain by investing in the future skills for this
cornerstone industry.
If this prospect inspires you and you have the right capabilities for the role, the ECITB would
very much like to receive your application.
Yours sincerely,
Chief Executive & Accounting Officer
Nature and scope of role
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) is responsible for securing the
long-term skills for the Engineering Construction Industry (ECI) in Great Britain. It operates under
statutory authority to discharge this duty and secures most of its funding from a levy on employers
who are “in-scope”. The ECITB is a non-department public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Skills
Unit in BIS and is also a registered charity in England and Wales.
The Board of Trustees is accountable for the governance, compliance and management of the
ECITB in accordance with its purpose. The CEO is required to lead and manage the ECITB on a
day to day basis and to recommend strategy to the Board.
The ECITB typically provides training support to around 125,000 people each year through a
network of around 200 approved training providers and approved centres for the award of the
ECITB’s qualifications. The key elements of service delivery are: apprenticeships, grant funding
and assessment services. These are underpinned with research, standards development, careers
advice and guidance, quality assurance and teams of employer engagement specialists located
across Great Britain.
The ECITB also has a growing commercial and international business, with clients across 18
countries and services comprising consultancy, advice, apprenticeships, skills and health and
safety training and assessment to ECITB standards.
There is a Senior Executive Team comprising a Director of Regional Operations, a Finance
Director and Board Secretary, a Director of Development and Quality, a Director of International
and Commercial Operations and a Head of Corporate Affairs. Two secretaries support this senior
management team.
The Trustees hold the CEO to account for recommending strategy; for the provision of information
required by the Trustees, for the compliant, effective and efficient running of the ECITB; for
providing a source of guidance and day to day management for the ECITB staff; and for
developing excellent relationships with external stakeholders so that the benefit of the levy to the
Engineering Construction Industry (ECI) is maximised.
The CEO is also the designated Accounting Officer for the ECITB as an NDPB, with attendant
duties to officials, Ministers and Parliament.
ECITB Chief Executive
Reports to:
Direct Reports:
Job Description
Chair and Board of Trustees
Senior Executive Team
Job purpose
Together with the Board of Trustees and Senior Executive Team, to lead the ECITB so that there
is excellent service fit and delivery to the ECI and users of the ECITB’s services. To ensure the
ongoing support from employers for the collective levy-funded model, and to grow the commercial
fundraising activities against agreed targets.
Principle accountabilities
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Maximise the beneficial impact of the £30 million raised annually in terms of successful
learning, development and employment outcomes for ECI entrants and existing
employees
Create a strategy for the ECITB to ensure its expansion and continued success
Ensure that all the processes, policies and actions in the ECITB comply with the
appropriate laws, Regulations, and good practice
Provide the Trustees with the advice, resources and reports they need to perform their
duties and responsibilities
For the implementation of the requirements of the Boards (and Committees) to act in
accordance with the statutory remit of the ECITB as an NDPB and perform the duties of
the Accounting Officer.
Responsibilities:
1. Leadership
 In conjunction with the Board, to lead the process for determining the strategic direction
of the ECITB and the preparation of the strategic plan, annual revision of the plan and
production of the annual business or operating plan.
 To provide clear leadership, direction, change management and motivation to staff and
to foster a climate that embraces change and attracts and retains high quality,
committed and high-performing individuals.
 To form strong, productive working relationships with key policy makers at local, regional
and national level to contribute to the development and delivery of skills, training and
assessment solutions.
2. Board of Trustees/Directors
 To advise the Board on strategic issues and regularly review and revise the strategic
plan with the Board.
 To keep the Board informed of major developments, both within the industry and within
the wider skills delivery movement.
 To act as the interface between the Board and staff and support the administration of the
Board and its committees.
 To work with the Chair and Board Members to enable the Board to fulfil its governance
function.
 To support the Board in the evaluation of its performance.
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ECITB Chief Executive
Job Description
3. Operations and Service Delivery
 To be responsible for the delivery of the strategy, business plan and objectives of the
organisation and for managing services.
 To oversee and ensure the delivery of quality services throughout the ECITB and in the
regions in accordance with agreed policies.
 To act as Accounting Officer for the ECITB and ensure that Departmental, NAO, Charity
Commission and other regulatory requirements are met.
 To ensure that the ECITB’s exposure to risk is consistent with the risk appetite approved
by the Board and that appropriate controls are in place to identify and manage risk.
 To foster openness and good communication with employers, individuals affected by the
work of the ECITB, its staff, partners and stakeholders.
 To nurture a strong employer-led culture and focus on meeting the skills and training
needs of employers, their staff and the wider industry.
 To maintain and develop the ECITB’s services, taking account of changing needs in the
local and national industry population and developments in the national environment.
 To ensure co-ordinated and collaborative working between employers, providers and
stakeholders.
4. Income Generation
 To identify and develop viable, innovative and co-ordinated strategies for commercial
income generation while increasing awareness of the work, values and philosophy of
the ECITB.
 To ensure in-scope employers meet their statutory responsibilities to pay the training
levy in the interests of fairness to all employers and the industry.
5. Human Resource Management
 To have line management responsibility for the Executive Team.
 To ensure management and staff potential is maximised through regular appraisal,
development and support.
 To maintain and develop Human Resources strategy, including the development of
policies and strategies to ensure consistent recruitment of the highest calibre staff.
 To foster a culture of learning and development so that employees and volunteers are
confident in their ability to deliver the highest level of performance and continually strive
to develop and improve that performance.
 To ensure that equality and diversity policies and practice are fundamental to all
working practices and encourage an inclusive, tolerant and nurturing environment.
6. Finance & Facilities Management
 To recommend to the Board an annual income and expenditure budget forecast and to
ensure the prudent management of the ECITB’s resources within the budget guidelines.
 To present to the Board monthly management accounts and, every six months, relevant
statistical information.
 To present to the Board annual accounts and draft the Trustees’ Report in accordance
with law and best practice, having regard to Company Law, Accounting Standards and
Charity Law.
 To ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and guidelines, e.g., charity and
company law, health and safety, employment law, fire regulations, Cabinet Office and
the NAO.
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ECITB Chief Executive
Job Description
7. Community and Public Relations
 To maintain and develop sound working relationships with relevant parts of the skills
and training delivery network, including central and local government and any other
skills and training commissioning bodies.
 To promote the mission and strategy of the ECITB across the industry and sectors it
serves and including the relevant parts of the government, especially BIS and DECC.
 To lead public relations and communications activities to ensure a high and positive
profile and in particular be proactive in positioning and influencing public and policy
makers’ opinions to benefit the ECITB and Engineering Construction Industry.
 To agree with the Board a Corporate Social Responsibility strategy and policy and
oversee delivery.
8. Other
 To carry out such other duties as the Board of Trustees may from time to time
determine, in consultation with the postholder, to maintain the efficient and effective
operation of the ECITB.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Remuneration:
Tenure:
circa £110,000 - £125,000 plus benefits
Full-time
Substantive post, subject to a six month probationary period
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Blue Court, Church Lane, Kings Langley, WD4 8JP
www.ecitb.org.uk
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April 2015
Chief Executive & Accounting Officer - Person Specification
A strategic leader who brings vision, clarity of purpose and significant management capability
together with outstanding interpersonal skills and an understanding of the special nature of
skills needs and membership service delivery. Able to maximise potential and work
successfully in partnership across complex and diverse interest groups and stakeholders.
Education and qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Educated to degree level or above
√
Recognised qualification in one of the following areas:
management, engineering, technology, marketing, finance
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Evidence of continuing professional development
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Experience
Significant, proven management experience at a senior level,
which includes:
- Strategic planning
- Financial management
- Business development
- Project management
- Organisational and/ or cultural change
- Leading a multi-discipline professional team
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Management experience gained in an engineering or technology
based business, skills solution provider, membership, not for
profit or public sector organisation
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Up to date knowledge and understanding of all areas of income
generation and the methods required to produce outstanding
results relevant to the role
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Understanding and awareness of Health and Safety and other
regulatory bodies pertinent to the industry and its skills and
training operations.
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Skills, abilities and knowledge
Ability to establish an effective strategy for the ECITB, and to
develop and implement operational plans to achieve that
strategy.
√
Demonstrable inspiring and effective leadership qualities that will
gain the respect and confidence of staff, members, the Board
and stakeholders
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Intellectual ability to understand and analyse key issues in
complex situations and apply innovative and creative solutions
√
Strong financial and commercial management and numeracy
skills
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ECITB Chief Executive
Person Specification
Able to act as an effective ambassador for the ECITB and a
robust networker
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Ability to lead and promote change and continuous improvement.
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Understanding of audit and risk management
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Understanding of, and commitment to the philosophy and
practice of investing in training and development of people
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Knowledge of the importance and principles of effective
governance of a regulated body and for upholding the ECITB’s
standards used by approved partners
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Awareness of socio-political, economic and wider influences
which could impact on training and skills services locally and
nationally.
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Knowledge of the ECI or a demonstrable ability to gain the ECI
knowledge required to fulfil the role
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Personal qualities
Excellent skills in verbal and written communication, confident
public speaker, able to chair meetings effectively
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Able to persuade, convince and influence a wide range of people
from external stakeholders and to the staff at all levels.
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Able to work within a team and build effective relationships:
- to listen, hear & understand the views of others
- approachable
- diplomatic
- able to build trust
- able to inspire and enthuse others
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Strong sense of integrity, honesty and compassion, and courage
to take difficult decisions as required
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A commitment to diversity
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Resilient, hard working and driven to succeed
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Enthusiastic with a passion to make a positive difference for the
ECI
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Other
Willing to work flexibly to attend meetings and events at
evenings and weekends
2
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Blue Court, Church Lane, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4 8JP
T: 01923 260000 F: 01923 270969
E: [email protected]
www.ecitb.org.uk