Delivery Partner Manager

The post holder will be responsible for managing the overall operational delivery of AKGs Delivery Partners. This post requires strong management experience, preferably within a similar role and proven supply chain management, performance management, operational planning and organisational skills. Ensuring services are consistently delivered by partners to the highest standards meeting all performance and contractual requirements. Motivating, developing, and engaging partners to be flexible and high performing across their region, through the regular review of performance against contractual and financial targets and creating/implementing innovative approaches and solutions to performance challenges.

Key Relationships/Interactions

• Internal Delivery Partner Team
• Central support/shared services
• Senior Management Team
• Wider AKG business
• Internal Delivery Teams
• External Delivery Partners
• JCP and DWP
• Local provision suppliers
• Employers
• AKG support/signposting partners

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a network of Delivery Partners, ensuring they provide the highest level of service for Participants, and meet and exceed the contractual minimum expectations for performance and service standards.
• Ensure that Delivery Partners are managed in line with the Performance Management Framework.
• Work collaboratively with Continuous & Business Improvement Teams, Performance Excellence, BI, Audit & Risk, Employer Services and any internal stakeholders to bring about relevant improvements across the delivery partner network.
• Maintain auditable records of the contract management activities undertaken with Delivery Partners and provide evidence of adherence to governance and procedures for internal and external audits and accreditations.
• Manage the progression of providers onto and through the formal Performance Management process and other management processes, in line with contract processes as required.
• Attend, as a minimum, the Monthly Review Meetings of Delivery Partners, to review contractual performance and manage any underperformance.
• Manage the Review Cycle which will be tailored based on Risk.
• Drive the continuous improvement and capacity building of Delivery Partners by ensuring that appropriate performance improvement plans are in place and executed.
• Undertake re-profiling of expectations at least once a quarter to ensure accurate forecasting, targets and resources available for all Delivery Partners.
• Ensure that Delivery Partners are compliant with contractual requirements and minimum standards, and to drive improvements where required.
• Identify and address priority areas for performance and continuous quality improvement to be addressed as part of the Continuous Improvement Plan.
• Conduct observations and site visits to monitor quality of provision and services to participants.
• Manage Delivery Partners compliance risks as appropriate, working closely with the Compliance and Audit Team.

Essential/Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• A background of Operational or Supply Chain management experience (E)
• A strong track record of establishing and maintaining productive relationships with employer, partners, and stakeholders. (E)
• Highly organised and adept at optimal time management. (E)
• Able to quickly identify problems, think flexibly and resolve issues. (E)
• Significant experience of working in the employment and/or training sectors. (E)
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding targets. (E)
• Knowledge of the local and regional labour market. (E)
• Experience of managing government and operational contracts. (D)
• Experience of applying performance management processes and frameworks, including managing underperformance. (E)
• Committed to respecting, valuing, and developing people.
• Financially astute.
• Good administration, IT and organisational skills with good experience of using MS office software.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships at a strategic level.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Attention to detail and an ability to work under pressure.

Compliance

It is the responsibility of all staff to abide by organisational policies to ensure compliance with relevant standards e.g. ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 9001 (Quality) and ISO 14001 (Environmental) as well as adhering to statutory duties in relation to safeguarding, Prevent and health and safety.

Remote with travel across Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire.