Assistant Delivery Manager - Skills Operations

We are recruiting two Assistant Delivery Managers – Skills Operations to join the Contract Management Unit within the Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate.

This is an opportunity to play a hands‑on role in shaping how WMCA-funded employment and skills programmes are delivered across the West Midlands. You will help ensure public funding delivers quality and measurable impact for residents, communities and the regional economy, while meeting the highest standards of quality, compliance and assurance.

Working closely with delivery providers and internal colleagues, you will provide operational and people leadership, deliver effective contract and performance management and drive continuous improvement across a portfolio of funded programmes.

Reporting to the Delivery Manager, you will support the day‑to‑day operational management of programmes, with responsibility for performance, compliance, risk and financial oversight. You will line manage a small team of Skills Delivery Officers, supporting their development and wellbeing, and act as a point of escalation for delivery risks, issues and challenges. You will also manage relationships with delivery providers, building strong partnerships, supporting improvement and addressing underperformance where required.

This role is well suited to someone with experience of government‑funded programmes who enjoys working at the intersection of delivery, data and people, and who has strong attention to detail and is confident using data and insight to inform decisions, reporting and assurance.

• Support the Delivery Manager to ensure programme delivery aligns with WMCA priorities, strategies and targets
• Provide line management to a small team, supporting performance, development and wellbeing
• Act as a point of escalation for delivery, performance, compliance and financial risks
• Manage relationships with delivery providers, promoting effective partnership working and continuous improvement
• Ensure programmes are delivered in line with contracts, delivery plans and funding conditions
• Identify, assess and mitigate delivery and financial risks
• Coordinate contract change controls.
• Produce performance and financial reports, including forecasting and analysis
• Use data and insight to support planning, performance management and assurance
• Chair and contribute to meetings within the Contract Management Unit
• Prepare and present reports and updates for senior management boards and governance forums
• Maintain accurate records and documentation to meet audit and assurance requirements
• Draft correspondence requiring senior‑level approval
• Support the management of contract challenges, working with legal and corporate services where required
• Identify opportunities for senior‑level or political engagement and support case study development
• Contribute to external communications and provider engagement activity

• Experience of contract and performance management
• Experience working with skills, employability or other government‑funded programmes
• Knowledge of funding requirements and assurance processes
• Experienced in producing performance or funding returns and managing claim submissions
• Line management experience
• Strong stakeholder management skills, working effectively with internal and external partners
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, including budgeting and forecasting
• High attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills
• Strong report‑writing skills, including working with complex data
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• A proactive, adaptable and solutions‑focused approach

The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.