Shelly Smith Email and Phone Number

Developing and coordinating the delivery of comprehensive and robust business and market intelligence services for NCG and its seven college Divisions. Focus on policy, strategic partnerships and bidding.

Secondment with Association of Colleges to lead on a number of local skills research projects including review of the Local Skills Improvement Plans.

I was Senior Bid Manager for both Rathbone Training and Intraining, Divisions of NCG. I planned and led the bid process from pipeline through to closure. This included all aspects of bid development: qualifying opportunities; leading solution design and financial modelling workshops; project managing bid development, coordinating input from colleagues across the organisation; writing; post-bid reviews; risk management and handover to Implementation and Operation colleagues.

Leading the market insights service; identifying trends and developments in the market and wider economy and using this intelligence to develop evidence-based solutions and strategies with cross-organisational teams and senior management. I worked with the bid team to provide local information and insights to ensure best-in-class bids and I worked collaboratively with the Marketing and Strategic Engagement teams to find the most appropriate communication channels to maximise the impact of the organisational voice.

Fixed-term project from October 2012 until July 2014 to successfully deliver the £500,000 Workforce Development project on time and to budget. Achieved all income and recruitment targets through managing organisational change and implementing new models of business development.

Fixed term project to implement the Higher Level Skills Brokerage project – creating a web portal to provide business support.

The go-to expert for interpretation of national education and skills policy and targeted research to inform North East England strategy and policy.

Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) (funded by the higher education funding councils) to further and support equality and diversity for staff and students in higher education across all four nations of the UK. Raising the understanding of equality and diversity for staff and students in higher education by identifying and working with stakeholders and partners – to research, share, promote and train in equality and diversity best practice.

Working with a diverse group of 16 councillors to ensure a full understanding of local, regional and national political developments. Driving activity in committees, providing advice, guidance, research and practical support to navigate complex political structures.