Contract Manager - Adult Skills Fund

Secondment 2 Years

INTERNAL ONLY (Devon County Council Employees Only)

Devon County Council is seeking a motivated and experienced Contract Manager to join the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) team and play a key role in managing provider performance and ensuring high‑quality delivery of adult skills provision across Devon and Torbay. The Adult Skills Fund (ASF) is formally devolved to the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DT CCA), with Devon County Council delivering operational commissioning and programme management on its behalf.

These role sits at the heart of devolved adult skills delivery, ensuring that provision funded through ASF contributes meaningfully to economic growth, employer needs and improved outcomes for residents. You will work within a wider economic development context, supporting the delivery of the DTCCA Skills and Future Workforce Plan and broader growth priorities across Devon and Torbay.

Please note this position sits within the council’s Economic Development service, which is reflected in the formal job description.

About the Role

As Contract Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the performance and compliance of a portfolio of ASF‑funded providers. Working closely with commissioning colleagues and delivery partners, you will ensure that contracts and grant‑funded provision are delivered effectively, in line with funding rules, legislative requirements, and the DTCCA Skills and Future Workforce Plan.

The role also contributes to wider programme delivery, supporting the effective use of public funding and ensuring strong governance, reporting, and impact evaluation.

Your work will help ensure the Council and the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority meet their statutory responsibilities for adult skills, supporting both internal governance processes and external provider delivery.

You Will Contribute To

• Supporting the delivery of the DTCCA Skills and Future Workforce Plan and wider economic growth objectives by ensuring funded provision aligns with identified sector needs and local priorities
• Ensuring ASF and related funding streams are managed effectively, with strong oversight of provider performance, outputs and outcomes
• Working with providers and partners to develop a responsive, high‑quality skills offer that meets employer and learner needs
• Supporting transparent reporting, compliance and assurance processes, ensuring that delivery meets funding rules and legislative requirements
• Contributing to the development of a strong evidence base through data analysis, performance monitoring and evaluation
• Building effective relationships across the skills and economic development system, supporting joint working and shared delivery of priorities

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the performance of ASF‑funded providers, ensuring delivery against targets, KPIs and funding conditions
• Monitoring delivery and risk, identifying underperformance and implementing corrective actions
• Ensuring all provision is delivered in line with funding rules, legislative frameworks, and audit requirements
• Producing timely and accurate performance reports for internal governance and external stakeholders
• Analysing complex data to inform contract management decisions and programme improvements
• Building effective working relationships with providers, partners and stakeholders across the skills system
• Contributing to programme monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement activities
• Supporting wider commissioning and programme delivery activity as required

What We Are Looking For:

Experience and knowledge

• Experience of managing contracts and performance across multiple providers or programmes
• Strong understanding of adult education, skills funding, or wider public sector programme delivery
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks, including procurement, funding rules, and compliance requirements

Skills and capabilities

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex performance and financial data
• Ability to manage risk, challenge performance and drive improvement in delivery
• Strong project and programme management skills, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting

Partnership and communication

• Proven ability to build effective relationships with providers, employers and public sector partners
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex information to a range of audiences

Professional approach

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast‑paced, evolving policy environment
• A proactive, solution‑focused mindset with the confidence to influence and challenge
• Commitment to delivering high‑quality, compliant and impactful public services

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Devon County Council has an Agile Working policy to demonstrate commitment to supporting a positive work‑life balance for employees and a commitment to be Carbon Neutral by 2030. Agile working is an important element of the strategy for adapting to, and thriving in, the working environment following the coronavirus pandemic.