Funding & Compliance Lead in Peterlee

Since 2006, TACS has been providing training designed to empower apprentices with essential knowledge, shaping their futures. Operating from the Northeast of England, TACS delivers apprenticeships across England, focusing on the Manufacturing, Trade, and Housing sectors. With a skilled team of industry experts, TACS offers exceptional learning solutions aligned with industry needs. Recognised for excellence, TACS is currently graded as 'Good' by Ofsted.

This is a full-time role, based in Peterlee, three days per week, for a Funding & Compliance Lead. The role involves managing compliance with DfE apprenticeship funding and regulatory requirements, overseeing financial processes, and ensuring appropriate allocation of funding. The Funding & Compliance Lead will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, analyse funding streams, and effectively communicate findings. Additionally, responsibilities include developing reports, evaluating investments, and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures while maintaining organisational efficiency.

The postholder will be responsible for ensuring the following is completed (some duties may be delegated where suitable):

• Funding, ILR & Data Management
  • Create, maintain, and validate ILR data within the PICS MIS to support accurate and compliant funding claims.
  • Manage the full apprenticeship learner lifecycle within the MIS, including starts, breaks in learning, changes of circumstance, and completions.
  • Coordinate and manage the monthly ILR submission cycle, including validation checks, error resolution, and submission readiness.
  • Maintain the provider’s Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account and support employers with appropriate use of their DAS accounts.
• Compliance & Assurance
  • Ensure compliance with DfE Apprenticeship Funding Rules, ILR specification, and associated guidance.
  • Monitor regulatory updates and communicate relevant funding and compliance changes to delivery and management teams.
  • Plan and carry out regular internal compliance audits of learner files, ILR data, and supporting evidence, tracking actions to resolution.
  • Act as the first line of defence in identifying funding risk, data errors, or potential clawback issues, escalating concerns appropriately.
• Evidence & Quality
  • Ensure learner evidence packs meet funding and audit requirements, working with delivery teams to resolve gaps or inconsistencies.
  • Support the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of funding and compliance procedures and documentation.
  • Produce clear monthly reports for the Senior Management Team covering funding performance, data quality, compliance risks, and key issues.
  • Support the Head of Operations with funding-related analysis and assurance activity as required.
  • Contribute to process improvements that strengthen data quality, compliance, and audit readiness.

• Proven experience working with FE MIS Systems (preferably PICS) for a minimum of 12 months.
• Demonstrable experience of apprenticeship funding and compliance.
• Strong working knowledge of Funding Rules and ILR processes.
• Excellent attention to detail with a high level of data accuracy.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Confident written and verbal communication skills, and proficient in MS Office.

• Funding assurance review experience.
• Experience of producing compliance and management reports.

• Ability to analyse data and identify risk or anomalies.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate issues.
• Adaptable, proactive, and confident in challenging non-compliance constructively.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload and work to deadlines.

The role offers opportunity to progress to Funding & Compliance Manager.