Performance Manager, Youth

Acorn Training Ltd

. Provide overall leadership and management of the contract, ensuring performance, quality, compliance and participant outcome targets are achieved .

Posted 11/2/2026full-timeBurton Upon Trent • United KingdomMid-LevelSenior💰 £37,000 - £39,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong leadership and people management skills, with a focus on performance management, compliance, and continuous improvement in service delivery. Proficient in stakeholder relationship management and data analysis to drive evidence-based decision-making.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Leadership And Management ExperiencePerformance Management Against Contractual TargetsStrong People Management And Coaching AbilityExcellent Communication And Presentation SkillsUnderstanding Of Employability And Skills Provision

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Performance Management MethodologiesData Analysis And Reporting SkillsProject Management SkillsBudget ManagementQuality Assurance And Compliance FrameworksContinuous Improvement PracticesSafeguarding KnowledgeRisk Management PrinciplesReport-Writing SkillsBusiness Planning Skills

Soft Skills

Leadership SkillsMotivational SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsDecision-Making SkillsInterpersonal Skills

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeExcelPerformance Management Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

Management QualificationSafeguarding TrainingProject Management Qualification (PRINCE2, Agile, APM)Leadership And Management Qualification (ILM Level 5/7)Coaching Or Mentoring Qualification

Industry Keywords

Employability SectorLocal Labour Market IntelligenceCommunity Impact DeliveryYouth GuaranteeDWPESFAUKSPFGovernment-Funded ProgrammesSubcontractor ManagementMulti-Site Team Leadership

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide overall leadership and management of the contract, ensuring performance, quality, compliance and participant outcome targets are achieved
Manage and coach employability delivery teams, fostering a positive and dynamic work environment
Act as the primary liaison with contracting authorities, commissioners and strategic stakeholders
Manage specialist delivery partners and subcontractors
Conduct performance reviews and observations, provide coaching and feedback, and address underperformance
Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality services and customer service standards
Identify, escalate and resolve service-delivery risks
Monitor and manage team and office budgets
Address and resolve team conflicts
Identify and implement continuous improvements to programme delivery and client outcomes
Ensure compliance with regulations, contractual requirements, health and safety standards and organisational policies
Undertake other duties aligned with programme delivery requirements

Requirements

What you’ll need

GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics (Essential)
Management qualification or demonstrable management experience (Essential)
Safeguarding training or willingness to undertake (Essential)
Evidence of continuing professional development (Essential)
Excellent leadership and motivational skills (Essential)
Strong people management and coaching ability (Essential)
Highly effective communication and presentation skills (Essential)
Ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships (Essential)
Strong planning, organisational and project management skills (Essential)
Ability to interpret complex performance data and make evidence-based decisions (Essential)
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills (Essential)
Excellent report-writing and business planning skills (Essential)
High level IT skills including Microsoft Office, Excel and performance management systems (Essential)
Understanding of employability, skills and progression provision (Essential)
Knowledge of performance management methodologies and continuous improvement practices (Essential)
Knowledge of safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity and inclusion requirements (Essential)
Knowledge of quality assurance and compliance frameworks (Essential)
Understanding of data protection and information governance requirements (Essential)
Understanding of risk management principles (Essential)
Ability to role model Acorn's values of Kindness, Respect, Integrity and Innovation (Essential)
Experience leading complex employability, health, wellbeing or multidisciplinary services within a contracted, commissioned or regulated environment (Essential)
Strong leadership and people management experience, including performance management and coaching (Essential)
Experience managing performance against contractual targets and KPIs (Essential)
Experience managing quality, compliance and audit requirements (Essential)
Experience of developing effective stakeholder relationships (Essential)
Experience managing budgets and resources effectively (Essential)
Experience analysing performance data and implementing improvement plans (Essential)
Degree in Business Management, Social Sciences, or related field (Desirable)
Project Management qualification (PRINCE2, Agile, APM or equivalent) (Desirable)
Leadership and Management qualification (ILM Level 5/7 or equivalent) (Desirable)
Coaching or mentoring qualification (Desirable)
Advanced data analysis and reporting skills (Desirable)
Bid development, service design or commissioning knowledge (Desirable)
Change management and organisational development skills (Desirable)
Knowledge of Youth Guarantee, DWP, ESFA, UKSPF or devolved employment programmes (Desirable)
Understanding of local labour market intelligence and employer engagement strategies (Desirable)
Knowledge of social value and community impact delivery (Desirable)
Knowledge and experience of the employability sector and local labour market (Desirable)
Experience working with local authorities, combined authorities or government-funded programmes (Desirable)
Experience managing subcontractors or specialist delivery partners (Desirable)
Experience leading multi-site or geographically dispersed teams (Desirable)

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