Chief Training Officer at WTS Energy

JOB SUMMARY

The Chief Training Officer (CTO) will provide strategic leadership, ensuring academic integrity, operational excellence, and industry alignment across all the Company’s Applied Training. Institute centres. This role integrates training leadership, curriculum design, accreditation oversight, and business development to ensure the Institute consistently delivers world-class programs that close skill gaps across Nigeria’s industrial and technical sectors.

The CTO will oversee the planning, execution, and quality of all training programs, manage day-to-day operations, allocate resources effectively, and implement process improvements to maintain the Institute’s position at the forefront of professional education. The role also involves fostering collaborations with global accreditation bodies, industry partners, and internal departments to enhance training outcomes, professional certification, and organizational growth.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Operations

• Provide overall leadership for the Institute’s academic and operational frameworks across all locations.
• Develop and execute multi-year training strategies aligned with industry needs, national skill development goals, and the Institute’s vision.
• Oversee operational performance of all training centres, ensuring efficiency, resource optimization, and adherence to schedules.
• Lead initiatives to integrate digital, AI, and technology-driven approaches into curriculum design and delivery.

Curriculum Design & Training Quality

• Lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of over 80 technical, vocational, and leadership programs.
• Oversee training quality performance, instructional effectiveness, and learner outcomes across all courses and centres.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for academic and instructional excellence.
• Ensure all training programs meet international accreditation standards and professional certification requirements.

International Accreditation & Partnerships

• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with international accreditation bodies (e.g.,OPITO, City & Guilds, IADC, IWCF, international universities. etc).
• Ensure programs remain compliant with global standards and industry best practices.
• Represent the Institute in external engagements with accreditation bodies, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

Industry Alignment & Skill Gap Analysis

• Conduct skill gap analyses across sectors and industries to inform program development and workforce readiness initiatives.
• Collaborate with industry partners and government agencies to ensure training is aligned with sectoral needs and Nigerian Content requirements.
• Lead initiatives to integrate emerging industry technologies and practices into training programs.

 Business Development & Commercial Oversight

• Collaborate with the business development team to identify training market opportunities and corporate partnerships.
• Support proposal development, program commercialization, and client relationship management with major industry players (IOCs, NCDMB, EPCs, NOC’s etc.).
• Provide strategic guidance on revenue growth, course pricing, and market expansion.

Human Capital Oversight

• Oversee training departments, ensuring HR, PRD, and academic functions align with the Institute’s objectives.
• Ensure instructor competency and training effectiveness without direct HR administrative responsibilities.
• Mentor department heads on instructional quality, operational efficiency, and program innovation.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure programs comply with national regulations while meeting international quality and accreditation standards.
• Provide leadership in reporting, monitoring, and auditing of training outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience
Educational Background

• Master’s degree (MSc/MA) or higher in Education, Engineering, Management, or a relevant technical field.
• Professional certifications in Training & Development, Learning Management Systems, or Instructional Design are highly desirable. (e.g., CIPD, ATD, ISO 29993, CQI/IRCA Lead Auditor, or equivalent).

Experience & Expertise

• Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in training management, academic leadership, or technical program delivery.
• Proven track record in designing, accrediting, and executing training programs at an international standard.
• Demonstrable experience in industrial or technical skill gap analysis and aligning training solutions to sectoral requirements.
• Hands-on experience managing multiple training centres and large-scale programs (1,000+ learners annually).
• Experience in business development, proposal writing, and industry client engagement.

Skills & Competencies

• Proven leadership and people management capabilities to effectively oversee trainers, staff, and external stakeholders across multiple training centres.
• Strong strategic planning, problem-solving, and operational management skills, with the ability to translate industry needs into actionable training solutions.
• Deep expertise in the Energy, Maritime, Manufacturing, Oil & Gas and Construction sectors, with thorough understanding of workforce skill requirements and competency development.
• Proficiency in budget management, financial oversight, revenue forecasting, and resource allocation.
• Exceptional networking, stakeholder engagement, and relationship management skills.
• Expertise in digital learning, e-learning platforms, and the implementation of innovative training methodologies.
• Sound knowledge of ISO standards, quality assurance frameworks, and regulatory compliance for training programs.
• Strategic thinker with strong academic, operational, and technical acumen, capable of integrating technology into training operations.
• Strong analytical skills, adaptability, and innovative mindset to continuously improve training outcomes.
• Cross-cultural management experience, including leadership in expatriate or multinational environments.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills to influence, inspire, and lead diverse teams.

Personal Attributes

• High integrity and commitment to education and skill development.
• Proactive, results-driven, and capable of leading teams across multiple locations.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on value creation and measurable impact.

Key Deliverables

• Successful execution of training programs aligned with industry needs.
• Achievement of learner competency and international accreditation compliance.
• Revenue growth and strategic partnership development.
• High-quality training delivery and operational excellence across all centres