Head of Compliance & Funding

Skern Training and Skills is an independent training provider offering excellence in its courses & services. As an approved Main Apprenticeship provider we offer both end to end apprenticeships in a number of standards as well as behavioural programmes to upskill existing employees, with the client's values fully embedded at every stage. Operating nationally and offering bespoke packages, we're here to provide life changing adventures and transformative training.

Skern Training & Skills (STS) are a national Grade 2 APAR Provider with Outstanding in Personal Development & Behaviours & Attitudes. We now have an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking, experienced individual to lead the continuation of ambitious standards set in the Compliance and Funding (C&F) department.

With remote and flexible working opportunities, you'll join the STS leadership team dealing with all aspects of the learning provision to meet contractual, funding and regulatory requirements. Your key responsibility will be to lead the C&F team, working across departments and with the governance board.

At STS, our vision is to be the UK’s leading provider for learning and personal development, where every individual can find growth, confidence, and connection in a safe and inspiring environment. With a supportive and developmental culture rooted in experiential and creative learning, our values are at the centre of everything we do.

You’ll be joining a well-established business in a stage of growth, currently with c.300 learners on programme across 5 key apprenticeship areas, ILM programmes and commercial courses.

As Head of Compliance and Funding, you will be a confident professional and excellent communicator, with the knowledge and skills to ensure STS remain compliant with all relevant funding rules and awarding body regulations.

You will build on the outstanding framework, processes, platforms and team already in place, ensuring all funding and regulation requirements by the DfE, Skills England, DWP, and other FE sector awarding bodies associated with STS are met with robust tracking, data analysis and that preparations for audits are in place.

• Competitive salary of £40k per annum + car allowance + mileage
• Remote and flexible working arrangements. 40 hours per week.
• 25 days of annual leave + bank holidays
• Access to Perkbox – a fantastic platform offering Retail discounts and shopping offers, Wellbeing resources, Lifestyle perks and more

• Experienced delivering successful compliance and funding outcomes within an apprenticeship or FE provision, preferably as part of an ITP
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the AA&F, Financial Health for ITPs and key sector developments.
• Strength in leading, managing and supporting people and systems to meet deadlines and KPIs through the peaks and troughs of a business.
• Experience of the ILR, PDSAT, reporting, uploading and compliance requirements & current apprenticeship funding rules.
• Experience in apprenticeship sector technology platforms, processes and changes with knowledge and skills to effectively manage cost controls. (BUD platform experience desirable)
• Confident communicator (both verbal and written) with a personable and professional manner and the ability to interact and relate to all levels of stakeholders, both internal and external, and build strong working relationships.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of a compliance and funding department, and ability to ensure all mandatory evidence is stored appropriately.
• Ability to work with a complex and detailed workload, prioritising effectively and able to lead and communicate changes and decisions across departments.
• Capability of leading subcontracting, DFE/DWP & Skills England auditing and support for Ofsted inspection preparations and delivery.
• Strong presentation skills in person, through online screen sharing and a variety business technologies and platforms e.g. Microsoft Office, Zoom.

Recruitment Timescales:
Closing date: 19th January. Interviews will be held on 20th/21st January, alternative dates may be available.

Start date:

March 2026, subject to notice period.

Skern Training and skills
Skern Lodge, Watertown,
Bideford,
Devon, England.
EX39 1NG