Performance Manager

The Growth Company; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Growth Company is recruiting a Performance Manager to drive operational performance across the CFO Evolution contract in Greater Manchester, with coverage in Yorkshire and North West. You will lead diverse teams, ensure KPIs are met, and report to senior leaders using data insights.

This role requires a strong track record in performance management, stakeholder engagement and QMS/compliance, with a focus on delivering excellent participant outcomes and continuous service improvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in people and performance management within employability, skills, justice, education or related service environments.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering contractual, operational and financial performance targets.
• Experience using management information and data analysis to monitor performance and improve outcomes.
• Strong leadership, coaching and performance management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Manage operational performance across services and locations, ensuring KPIs, quality standards and financial targets are met.
• Deliver budgeted financial performance through effective staffing, productivity, budgets and customer spend.
• Monitor team performance through reviews, coaching and development planning to exceed performance expectations.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, quality standards, internal controls and external audits.
• Build and maintain relationships with commissioners, employers, probation services, Jobcentre Plus and local authorities.
• Use management information and performance data to drive decision-making and report to senior leaders.
• Oversee customer experience, complaints handling, data integrity and information security.

Skills

People leadership

Performance management

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching & development

Job description

Are you a driven performance leader with a passion for achieving outstanding results, developing high-performing teams, and making a real difference in people's lives?

The Growth Company (GC) is looking for an experienced and ambitious Performance Manager to join our dynamic Creating Future Opportunities (CFO) Evolution team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in one of the UK's leading rehabilitation and employability programmes, supporting individuals to build brighter futures while ensuring the successful delivery of contract targets and service excellence.

As a Performance Manager, you will be responsible for driving operational performance across the contract, leading teams to achieve and exceed key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensuring the highest standards of quality, compliance, and participant outcomes. Working closely with the senior management team, you will use data, insight, and strong leadership to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and continuously improve service delivery.

Please note this role will be based in Greater Manchester with coverage in Yorkshire and North West. Is is essential that you hold a clean UK Driving Licence and own your own vehicle to be considered for this role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams, creating a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement.
• Manage operational performance across services and locations, ensuring contractual KPIs, quality standards and financial targets are achieved.
• Deliver budgeted financial performance through effective management of staffing, productivity, office budgets and customer spend.
• Monitor team performance through regular reviews, coaching, observations and development planning, ensuring colleagues exceed minimum performance expectations.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, quality standards, internal controls and external audit requirements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with commissioners, employers, probation services, Jobcentre Plus, local authorities and other key partners.
• Use management information and performance data to drive decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement and provide regular reporting to senior leaders.
• Oversee customer experience, complaints management, data integrity, information security and the continuous improvement of service delivery processes.

About You:

• A strong and confident people leader with experience managing diverse operational teams.
• Results-focused, with a track record of delivering performance targets in a fast-paced environment.
• Skilled at coaching, developing and motivating colleagues to achieve high levels of performance.
• An excellent communicator who can build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Comfortable analysing data, interpreting performance information and making evidence-based decisions.
• Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Resilient and adaptable, with a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Committed to delivering excellent customer outcomes and driving continuous improvement.

Skills/Experience:

• Proven experience in people and performance management within an employability, skills, justice, education or related service environment.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering contractual, operational and financial performance targets.
• Experience using management information and data analysis to monitor performance and improve outcomes.
• Strong leadership, coaching and performance management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Good understanding of employability, training, employment and/or justice services and the wider labour market.
• Knowledge of people management principles, employment legislation and operational compliance requirements.
• Strong ICT skills and experience using management information systems and performance reporting tools.

We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.

Artificial intelligence can assist you during the application process, but every example and statement you include must be honest, accurate, and based on your own real experiences. If plagiarism is detected, meaning you present someone else’s ideas or experiences, or AI‑generated content, as your own, your application may be withdrawn, and internal applicants could face disciplinary action.

At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.

Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.

We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.

If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.

Performance Manager • Greater Manchester