Head of Compliance. Job in Wilmslow Education & Training Jobs

Apprentify; Wilmslow; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An apprenticeship program provider based in Wilmslow is seeking a Head of Compliance to oversee the full compliance framework crucial to funding and data integrity. You will ensure adherence to government rules, manage risk, and lead audit preparations. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in compliance within apprenticeship programs and exhibit strong analytical and stakeholder management skills. The role offers a competitive salary and a culture driven by innovation and performance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Birthday Leave + Volunteer Day

Ongoing professional development

Mental health and wellbeing support

Enhanced family leave policies

Regular company-wide events

Qualifications

• Significant experience in apprenticeship compliance.
• Strong understanding of audit processes and data validation.
• Experience leading compliance functions.

Responsibilities

• Own compliance across the full learner journey.
• Lead accurate and timely month-end submissions.
• Manage subcontractor compliance and documentation.
• Serve as the point of contact for funding groups.

Skills

Compliance expertise

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Job description

About Apprentify

At Apprentify, we deliver industry-leading apprenticeship programmes that power digital transformation and workforce development across the UK. Our portfolio spans a wide breadth of high-demand disciplines, including Digital Marketing, Data, Software Development, Cyber Security, AI, Product, Project Management, Sales, Leadership, Learning & Development, and Tech-enabled business roles.

We work with ambitious employers to upskill and reskill talent through high-quality, compliant, future-focused programmes that meet stringent government funding requirements. Our delivery model blends expert coaching, innovative curriculum design, and real-world application to ensure every learner achieves meaningful outcomes - while every programme consistently meets the highest standards of funding compliance, audit readiness and data accuracy.

About the Role

The Head of Compliance is a critical leadership role at the centre of Apprentify's operational performance. You will own the full compliance framework that underpins our funding, data integrity, audit readiness and financial accuracy. This role demands high standards, sharp decision-making and an ability to anticipate risks before they arise.

You will set the compliance strategy, drive accountability across all operational teams, and ensure Apprentify consistently exceeds government funding expectations. Your work directly protects revenue, strengthens QAR outcomes, and enables us to scale with confidence and precision.

This role is for a high performer who brings expertise, pace and a zero-defect mindset.

Key Responsibilities

Funding Compliance

• Own compliance across the full learner journey, ensuring all activity meets government funding rules.
• Monitor rule changes and translate them into clear, actionable guidance for operational teams.
• Act as Apprentify's subject-matter expert and escalation point for all funding compliance queries.

ILR & Data Management

• Lead accurate and timely monthly ILR submissions, validation and error resolution.
• Maintain high standards of data integrity through rigorous quality checks.
• Produce clear monthly ILR and performance reporting to inform operational decisions.

Contract & Employer Compliance

• Maintain and update employer contracts in line with funding rules and audit requirements.
• Resolve employer and stakeholder compliance queries and ensure all documentation is audit-ready.

Subcontracting Oversight

• Manage subcontractor compliance including due diligence, documentation and annual submissions.
• Ensure subcontracting partners meet government funding requirements and quality expectations.

Performance Reporting & Accountability

• Own the compliance data framework and monthly reporting cycle.
• Highlight risks, trends and QAR performance, including R13/R14 validation checks.

Audit & Risk Management

• Lead internal/external audit readiness including PDSAT monitoring and sampling activity.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and drive actions to reduce compliance risk across Operations.

Financial Reconciliation

• Provide Finance with accurate, timely updates on co-investment, incentives, reimbursements and levy shortfalls.
• Ensure all funding-related data is accurate, validated and compliant.

EPAO Performance Management

• Manage EPAO contracts and performance meetings, escalating risks and ensuring quality of EPA outcomes.

External Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the main point of contact for government funding groups, coordinating all regulatory communications and submissions.

About You

You will thrive in this role if you are a compliance expert who is analytical, detail-focused and confident operating at a senior level. You bring strong knowledge of DFE/DWP funding rules, exceptional data accuracy, and the ability to translate complexity into operational clarity. You take ownership, enjoy problem-solving, and bring a calm, structured approach to risk management.

Essential experience

• Significant experience in apprenticeship compliance, ILR management and government funding rules.
• Strong understanding of audit processes, PDSAT, data validation and QAR performance.
• Experience leading compliance functions or acting as a senior compliance specialist.
• Ability to influence, challenge and guide stakeholders confidently across the business.

Desirable

• Experience working with subcontracting arrangements.
• Experience of leading compliance within a fast-scaling provider.
• Strong rapport with DWP/DFE account managers.

What High Performance Looks Like in This Role

• Consistently audit-ready, with accurate, timely ILR submissions and strong data integrity.
• Clear, confident rule interpretation, turning funding requirements into simple, actionable guidance.
• Proactive risk management, identifying issues early and preventing them from recurring.
• Strong cross-functional influence, ensuring teams understand and deliver their compliance responsibilities.
• Continuous improvement mindset, strengthening processes, reducing errors and protecting revenue.

What We Offer

At Apprentify, we believe in rewarding our people for the value they bring. Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with length of service.
• Private medical insurance
• Birthday Leave + Volunteer Day.
• Hybrid working with regular collaboration days in our Wilmslow HQ.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership support.
• A culture of high performance, innovation, and impact, where your contribution directly shapes Apprentify's success.
• Enhanced family leave policies.
• Access to mental health and wellbeing support.
• Regular company-wide events and team socials.