Skills Contracts Operations Manager

Role Purpose

As the Skills Contracts Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to-end operational management of adult skills contracts across the UK. This includes Skills Bootcamps, Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Free Courses for Jobs (FCFJ), and subcontracted provision.

Your primary objective is to ensure the successful execution of all contracts in line with commissioner specifications, funding rules, financial profiles, and quality expectations. You will drive performance across a contract portfolio valued at approximately £10m, ensuring delivery aligns with allocation profiles, funding regulations, and agreed KPIs.

You will play a pivotal role in maximising contract performance, optimising resource allocation, mitigating risks, and ensuring high levels of learner outcomes and commissioner satisfaction.

• Lead end-to-end contract management across all adult skills provision (Bootcamps, ASF, FCFJ and subcontracted delivery).
• Translate contract allocations and profiles into operational delivery plans that maximise funding utilisation across programmes.
• Monitor performance against financial, quality, and KPI targets, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Conduct regular contract performance reviews and ensure delivery remains aligned with commissioner expectations.
• Identify risks to delivery, develop mitigation strategies, and implement step‑in measures where necessary.

• Work closely with Business Development, Enrolment, Delivery, Quality, Data & Claims teams to ensure joined‑up operational execution.
• Analyse ILR data and FIS reports to interpret funding performance, learner progress, and profile achievement.
• Use performance data to plan cohort starts, tutor allocation, and delivery volumes to match contract values and financial profiles.
• Ensure delivery planning aligns with a £10m contract portfolio and supports full allocation utilisation.

• Work in partnership with the Head of Quality and Curriculum, Heads of Curriculum, and Curriculum Innovations Manager to drive QAR performance across all provision.
• Implement contractual performance and quality improvement plans where required.
• Ensure full compliance with DfE funding rules and contract‑specific requirements.
• Maintain oversight of audit readiness, funding compliance, and data integrity.

• Act as the operational lead for commissioner relationships relating to contract performance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment between curriculum planning, enrolment activity, and contract outcomes.
• Support in understanding operational capacity and performance trends for future bids.

• Proven experience managing adult education or skills contracts.
• Experience working within performance and/or contract management frameworks.
• Strong understanding of DfE funding rules and contract compliance requirements.
• Experience of business planning, budget preparation, and financial monitoring.
• Experience working with adult learners and adult skills provision.
• Ability to manage and drive performance improvement across multiple programmes.
• Strong working knowledge of ILR reporting and the ability to interpret FIS reports to inform delivery planning.

• Experience engaging with internal and external quality assurance mechanisms.
• Experience managing subcontracted provision.
• Advanced data analysis capability within ILR systems.

This role is primarily based at our Derby branch. However, we are open to the role being based in Sheffield, with hybrid working arrangements considered where operationally appropriate.