Quality and Compliance Manager | Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub

Lancashire County Council; Preston; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Preston is seeking a Quality and Compliance Manager to lead quality assurance across its educational programmes. The role involves designing compliance frameworks, ensuring adherence to funding rules, and driving continuous improvement. Candidates should have a degree or equivalent experience in quality and compliance, with proven leadership skills and strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks. A competitive salary range of £46,142 - £51,356 is offered along with a generous benefits package including 26 days of annual leave.

Benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme

26 days annual leave

Staff discount scheme

Qualifications

• Proven ability to interpret and apply funding rules for adult education.
• Experience developing assurance frameworks for multi-provider delivery models.
• Significant experience in external/internal quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a robust quality and compliance framework.
• Ensure providers adhere to funding rules and contractual requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement through quality assurance processes.

Skills

Quality assurance

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Data analysis

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

ILR systems

Ofsted frameworks

ISO9001 frameworks

Job description

Job Description

Salary £46,142 - £51,356 per annum | Permanent, Full time 37 hours per week | County Hall, Preston

Do you want to lead quality and compliance for one of the most ambitious skills programmes in Lancashire? This is a strategic leadership role at the heart of our first year of devolution shaping how over 30,000 residents access high-quality learning every year through a large number of delivery partners.

As a Quality and Compliance Manager, you will:

• Design and implement a robust quality and compliance framework for large-scale delivery across multiple funding streams, including Adult Skills Fund and Skills Bootcamps
• Ensure providers adhere to complex funding rules and contractual requirements, safeguarding public investment and learner outcomes
• Lead on external quality assurance and compliance across multiple programmes, including Adult Skills Fund and Skills Bootcamps.
• Drive continuous improvement through effective quality assurance processes and feedback mechanisms.
• Provide technical assurance and prepare standards, policies, and procedures aligned with best practice and legislation.
• Analyse data from Individual Learning Records (ILR) and associated reporting systems to produce insights and recommendations.
• Work closely with education providers to support quality assurance and maintain high standards in line with Ofsted and ISO9001 frameworks.

What we're looking for:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a quality and compliance role within the education and skills sector.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply funding rules for adult education and skills programmes.
• Experience developing assurance frameworks for large-scale, multi-provider delivery models.
• Significant experience in external/internal quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Strong understanding of risk management and compliance in publicly funded programmes.
• Strong leadership and management skills with experience of guiding and influencing senior managers.
• Excellent knowledge of quality frameworks, including Ofsted and ISO9001, and experience using ILR systems.

If you're ready to lead on quality and compliance and help shape the future of skills delivery in Lancashire, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us deliver excellence in education and skills-where your work truly matters.

Closing Date: 19th December 2025 Interview Date: 12/13th January 2026

Why join us?

By joining Lancashire County Council, you can shape the career path that is right for you, with opportunities to gain personal and professional qualifications, coaching, and mentoring. Lancashire County Council truly is the place where you can have the career you've always wanted.

In return for your passion and expertise, we offer a generous benefits package, which includes:

• A competitive salary and Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contributions.
• A great holiday entitlement of 26 days annual leave, which increases with length of service. You will also be entitled to 8 Bank Holidays, 2 additional statutory Bank Holidays, and have the option to buy additional leave each year.
• Our staff discount scheme in partnership with Vivup, allowing you to access discounts with a range of UK retailers, saving on everything from weekly food shops to white goods and cars.
• Access to fantastic development and career opportunities.

Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. In certain circumstances consideration may be given to applicants who, as a consequence of a disability, are unable to drive.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description & Person Specification