Contract Operations Manager

Acorn Training Ltd

Salisbury, Hanley Swan

Hybrid

GBP 37,000 - 42,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid/remote options

Up to 26 days annual leave

Pension scheme

CPD & professional qualifications

Westfield Health scheme

Wellbeing initiatives

Disability Confident Employer

Volunteer day

Employee recognition incentives

Recommend a friend £500

Job summary

Acorn Training Ltd in the Midlands is seeking an Operations Manager - Skills to oversee contract management for skill development programmes. You will ensure contracts are delivered on time, aligned with client specifications, and that resources are allocated efficiently to meet targets.

Working with Business Development, Enrolment, Delivery, Data and Claims teams, you will build relationships with commissioners and partners, drive performance, and report progress weekly against KPIs.

Qualifications

A degree in business admin, management, or a related field (essential).
Level 5 management qualification or significant management experience in residential childcare or adult education settings (essential).
GCSE grade A*-C (or equivalent) in English and Maths (essential).
Full driving licence (essential).
Level 5 teaching learning and assessment qualification (desirable).
Level 4 IQA qualification (desirable).
Experience of performance and/or contract management frameworks (essential).
Proven experience in managing and delivering on educational skills contracts (essential).
Experience of budgeting and budget management (essential).
Experience with adult learners or in the adult education field (essential).
Knowledge of national standards for adult skills (essential).
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (essential).
CRM usage or data analytics exposure desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end contract management with robust project processes across the Midlands.
Align contract deliverables with commissioner expectations.
Engage with community groups, employers, and stakeholders to grow the business.
Build relationships with commissioners' contract leads.
Maintain relationships with subcontractors and delivery partners.
Create and maintain contract planning, monitoring, and reporting docs.
Provide weekly status reports on milestones, KPIs, risks, and interdependencies.
Respond to commissioner reporting requirements and assurance needs.
Collaborate with Head of Quality and Curriculum on evaluation and lessons learned.
Drive long-term financial performance and value for money of Midlands skills programmes.
Implement improvement planning with Curriculum Heads and Quality teams.
Provide feedback from evaluations to address learning objectives.
Coordinate with Skills Delivery to ensure alignment of CPD design and programme management.
Identify best practices through data analysis and audits.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Strategic planning

Project management

Data analysis

Reporting

Communication

Problem solving

Stakeholder engagement

Equality & inclusion

Education

Degree in business admin/management

Level 5 management qualification

GCSE English & Maths

Full driving licence

Level 5 teaching/learning qualification

Level 4 IQA qualification

Tools

CRM software

Data analytics tools

Job description

Description

We reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time if we receive suitable applications for the role.

Department: ASF

Location: Hybrid

Compensation: £37,000 - £42,000 / year

Description

We reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time if we receive suitable applications for the role.

As the Operations Manager - Skills, your core responsibility is to oversee the seamless management of contracts pertaining to skill development programmes across the Midlands. Your primary objective is to ensure the efficient execution of contracts, meeting client specifications, optimising resource allocation, and upholding high levels of client satisfaction. Your pivotal role revolves around driving exceptional performance and meeting the expectations outlined within the skills contracts, including financial, quality, and performance targets.

Working in close coordination with the Business Development, Enrolment, Delivery, and Data and Claims teams, you will forge robust connections to foster collaboration and alignment. Your efforts will facilitate the successful implementation and delivery of our Midlands skills programmes, thereby contributing significantly to the attainment of contract objectives and goals.

Key Responsibilities and Key Performance Indicators

Lead end-to-end contract management by implementing robust project management and review procedures across the Midlands skills provision.

Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment of contract deliverables with commissioner expectations.

Actively engage with community groups, employers, and wider stakeholders to grow and develop the business within the curriculum-specific context.

Build effective and productive working relationships with commissioners' contract leads.

Build and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders, strategic and generic subcontractors/delivery partners, and other relevant organisations.

Create and maintain key contract planning, monitoring, and reporting documentation.

Facilitate regular contract reviews with key managers to assess performance, plan the approach to achieving future targets, and identify potential challenges and mitigating actions to ensure positive contract outcomes.

Provide weekly status reports regarding contract milestones, progress against key performance indicators (KPIs), programme interdependencies, risks, and issues.

Respond to commissioner requirements for contract progress reporting and assurance.

Work closely with the Head of Quality and Curriculum, actively participating in programme evaluation, stakeholder feedback, and lessons learned activities.

Drive the long-term financial performance and value for money of Midlands skills programmes through effective operational and financial performance management.

Work closely with the Heads of Curriculum, Head of Quality and Curriculum, and Curriculum Innovations Manager to implement step-in measures as required, including contractual performance and quality improvement planning.

Provide feedback based on any evaluation results, quality and progress assessments, or individual responses to the Assistant Director for Skills and relevant Head of Curriculum to ensure that content not achieving intended learning objectives is addressed.

Work with the Skills Delivery team as part of a defined joined-up approach to ensure a close tie-up between CPD design and programme management, ensuring that a feedback loop exists.

Identify effective practice through data analysis and robust audit, sharing with the wider internal management teams and developing into business-as-usual practice.

Ensure that expertise across delivery areas is kept up to date through self-management and engagement with the relevant Head of Curriculum to gain access to the latest policy and research.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications and specific training

A degree in business admin, management, or a related field (essential)

Level 5 management qualification or significant management experience in residential childcare or adult education settings (essential)

GCSE grade A*-C (or equivalent) in English and Maths (essential)

Full driving licence (essential)

Level 5 teaching learning and assessment qualification (desirable)

Level 4 IQA qualification (desirable)

Experience

Experience of performance and/ or contract management frameworks (essential)

Proven experience in managing and delivering on educational skills contracts (essential)

Experience of business planning, budget preparation, budget management (essential)

Experience working with adult learners or in the adult education field (essential)

Experience of and engagement with quality assurance mechanisms both internally and externally (desirable)

Knowledge

In-depth understanding of national standards and regulations for adult skills (essential)

Understand how to manage and drive performance improvement in contracts (essential)

Demonstrate a knowledge, understanding and personal commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across all areas of work (essential)

Up to date and in-depth knowledge of adult education products, services, and industry trends (desirable)

Skills

Strong leadership and management skills (essential)

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (essential)

Strategic planning and goal setting (essential)

Project management skills (essential)

Data analysis and reporting abilities (essential)

Problem-solving and decision-making skills (essential)

Results-driven and goal-oriented (essential)

Proactive and self-motivated (essential)

Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams (essential)

Strong commitment to promoting and expanding adult education opportunities (essential)

Proficient in data analytics and using CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software (desirable)

Cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the diverse needs of adult learners (desirable)

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, ethnic or social origin, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, reasonable adjustments can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

Job Benefits

Flexible working including home-based, centre-based, or hybrid job role dependant

Up to 26 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days

Pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing

Training and professional development, including CPD workshops and professional qualifications

Westfield Health Scheme with benefits including 13 healthcare services, cashback towards essential health bills, counselling and therapy treatments, fast access to MRI, CT, and PET scans, and discounted shopping vouchers