Performance & Quality Manager

The Local Growth Fund (Wales) is a 3 year programme (2026-2029) supporting economic development across Wales through investment in businesses, skills, and infrastructure. Priority 2 of the Local Growth Fund places a strong emphasis on employment and skills, supporting people to access and progress in good-quality work, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening the link between local training provision and employer demand. Alongside boosting productivity and business growth, it aims to create higher-quality jobs and support inclusive growth, particularly in areas facing economic and geographic challenges.

Futureworks is seeking an experienced and proactive Performance & Quality Manager to lead the delivery and strategic development of the Pembrokeshire Employability & Skills Anchor project, including direct responsibility for the delivery of the Skills Futures, Youth Futures and Green Futures workstreams. The initiative supports individuals who are out of work or economically inactive, with a focus on improving employability, strengthening vocational skills provision, and creating sustainable pathways into employment.

Aligned to the Local Growth Fund for Wales priorities for Employability and Skills, this leadership role will drive high-quality programme delivery that responds to local and regional labour market needs, addresses skills gaps, and strengthens links between training provision, employers, and wider economic growth priorities. The successful candidate will provide strong operational and strategic leadership across the programme, overseeing the implementation, growth, and continuous improvement of vocational training and employability activity across key priority sectors.

The role will ensure provision remains responsive to labour market demand, supports inclusive participation, and delivers strong progression outcomes for participants and employers. Leading a team of Skills Advisers, Employer Engagement Officers, vocational assessors, and support staff, the postholder will ensure robust performance management, quality assurance, compliance, and stakeholder engagement across all areas of delivery. They will foster a culture of continuous improvement and high-quality participant support, helping individuals build confidence, gain relevant qualifications and experience, and progress into sustainable employment.

Working closely with employers, partners, awarding bodies, and regional stakeholders, the postholder will lead the development of effective partnerships and responsive training pathways that support both individual progression and workforce development across priority sectors. The role will also contribute to the development of future funding opportunities and successor programmes that support long-term regional skills and employment priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage the successful delivery of the LGF vocational skills and employability programmes.
• Ensure delivery remains compliant with funding requirements, audit standards, and performance targets.
• Oversee programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement activity.
• Support the development of future employability and skills funding opportunities aligned to Local Growth Fund priorities.
• Oversee the quality and consistency of vocational training delivery across priority sectors.
• Act as a Centre Coordinator, maintaining effective relationships with awarding organisations including City & Guilds, EAL, Lantra, OCR, and CACHE.
• Ensure accredited provision meets awarding body and internal quality assurance standards.
• Support curriculum development aligned to labour market demand, employability priorities, and employer needs.
• Provide leadership and line management to Skills Advisers, vocational assessors, and administrative staff.
• Support staff recruitment, induction, development, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, learner-focused delivery, and high-quality participant support.
• Build team capability to respond effectively to evolving employability and workforce needs.
• Develop strong relationships with employers, local authorities, training providers, and strategic partners.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure provision supports local economic and workforce priorities.
• Promote integrated approaches that strengthen pathways into employment, training, and progression opportunities.
• Monitor programme performance, learner outcomes, and progression data to ensure targets are achieved.
• Oversee funding claims, evidence collection, and reporting requirements to ensure full compliance.
• Maintain accurate project records and management information systems, including CRM systems.
• Provide regular performance reporting and contribute to external audit and monitoring processes.

Qualifications and experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience managing employability, vocational learning, or skills development programmes.
• Strong understanding of accredited qualifications, curriculum delivery, and awarding body requirements.
• TAQA or quality assurance experience desirable.
• Proven experience in project, contract, and performance management.
• Experience managing budgets, compliance processes, and funded programme delivery.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and staff management skills.
• Knowledge of workforce and skills priorities across sectors including Tourism, Energy, Land-based/Heritage, Digital and Financial Inclusion, and Essential Skills.
• Excellent communication, organisational, analytical, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and management information systems.

Location: Pembrokeshire - delivery across service centres and community settings.

Our employee benefits are designed to help invest in your future and are in addition to living and working in Pembrokeshire, one of the most beautiful and desirable counties in the UK.

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.