Head of Engineering Skills

Are you ready to shape the future of engineering in the UK? The Royal Academy of Engineering is looking for a visionary leader to take on the role of Head of Engineering Skills. This is an exciting opportunity to drive national change, empower the next generation, and ensure our engineering community is equipped for the challenges of the 21st century.

In this role, you will lead the development and delivery of innovative programmes for our flagship National Engineering and Technology Skills Centre. Working closely with industry, education, and government stakeholders, you'll transform engineering education and workforce upskilling. You'll manage a specialist team, champion diversity and inclusion, and spearhead initiatives in ethics, sustainability, and progressive leadership—making a direct impact on the quality and relevance of engineering skills across the UK.

We're seeking an experienced leader with a strong engineering background, deep knowledge of education and workforce development, and a proven track record in managing complex projects. If you're passionate about shaping the future of engineering and driving meaningful change, this is your chance to lead a nationally significant centre and collaborate with top experts and stakeholders.

Apply now and help us build a world-class engineering skills ecosystem.

Application closing date: 07/01/2026

Week commencing interview date: 11/01/2026

Interview location: Yorkshire and Humberside

Our location

Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James's Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy.

Who are we?

Engineering matters. It shapes our everyday lives, from our ability to turn the lights on, have a hot shower and commute into work, to the mobile phones we rely on to keep connected. It also plays a vital role in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing society today, from climate change, to global health pandemics and cyber threats.

The Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we're growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we're working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.

With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.

Why work for us?

We're looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you're passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch.

This is the perfect time to join us. We have a dynamic, visionary CEO, a strong leadership team and an ambitious and exciting strategy. The value we bring as experts in our field and change agents is highly recognised and makes the Academy a motivating place to be. Our work today builds on a long, proud history with a focused and ambitious future which we'd love you to be part of.

We are looking for talented people who want to make a difference, to join our team – is this you?

The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.