Adult Skills Performance Lead

Acorn Training Ltd

. Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all Adult Skills Fund contracts .

Posted 9/15/2026full-timeHanley, Stoke-on-Trent • United KingdomSenior💰 £44,000 - £48,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strategic leadership in managing Adult Skills Fund contracts, focusing on performance management, compliance, and continuous improvement. Capable of developing growth strategies, fostering partnerships, and ensuring accountability while enhancing learner outcomes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Strategic LeadershipPerformance ManagementFinancial OversightCompliance ManagementStakeholder Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Contract ManagementPerformance AnalysisQuality Improvement PlanningFinancial ForecastingData AnalysisRisk ManagementMarket IntelligenceGrowth Strategy DevelopmentSelf-AssessmentUtilisation Monitoring

Soft Skills

CoachingCollaborationAccountabilityCustomer ServiceCommunication

Industry Keywords

Adult Skills FundFunding RulesCommissioner RequirementsAudit StandardsLearner OutcomesContinuous ImprovementStakeholder MeetingsContractual KPIsQuality StandardsLearner Engagement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all Adult Skills Fund contracts
Develop and implement the Adult Skills Fund growth and performance strategy
Lead contract planning, forecasting and performance management across funded provision
Monitor financial profiles, learner targets, achievement rates, quality standards and contractual KPIs
Analyse management information, performance data and market intelligence to inform decisions
Line manage Skills Contracts Operations Managers and provide coaching, performance management and development
Establish a culture of accountability, customer service, learner outcomes and continuous improvement
Support workforce and succession planning and develop leadership capability in contract teams
Collaborate with operational, quality, curriculum, business development, MIS, learner engagement, delivery and claims teams
Ensure compliance with funding rules, commissioner requirements, audit standards and organisational policies
Lead self-assessment, quality improvement planning, internal audits, assurance activities and corrective action planning
Maintain inspection and audit readiness across Adult Skills Fund provision
Build relationships with commissioners, funding bodies, local authorities, combined authorities and strategic partners
Act as senior operational lead for commissioner relationships, contractual reviews and performance discussions
Represent Acorn Training at regional and national forums, stakeholder meetings and networking events
Contribute operational insight, performance evidence and market intelligence to competitive bid submissions
Identify funding streams, growth opportunities and commercial initiatives
Develop partnerships supporting learner recruitment, progression and contract growth
Lead financial performance management, utilisation monitoring, forecasting and risk management
Lead strategic projects, business planning, growth strategies, quality improvement and digital transformation initiatives
Promote Acorn Training's values and commitment to positive learner, employer and community outcomes

Benefits

Comp & perks

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
Wellbeing initiatives including Wellbeing Wednesdays and the Mental Health at Work Pledge
Disability Confident Leader, Menopause Workplace Pledge, Armed Forces Covenant, Ban the Box Employer, and secure prayer spaces
Annual paid volunteering day and charity initiatives
Cash incentives for Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year awards
£500 Recommend a friend scheme