Contracts and Performance Officer – Adult Skills
Application Deadline: 10 May 2026
Department: Skills and Employment
Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time
Location: Sheffield Head Office
Reporting To: Contracts and Performance Manager
Compensation: £35,929 – £38,737 / year
Description
- Hours: 37 hours per week
- Contract: Permanent
- Salary: £35,929 – £38,737
- Location: Sheffield (This is a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office)
The Contracts and Performance Officer is a key role within SYMCA’s Growth, Business and Skills Directorate, with responsibility for managing a portfolio of contracts to ensure programmes achieve their intended outcomes and are delivered efficiently, compliantly and to a high standard.
You will play an active role in drafting, negotiating and managing contracts, monitoring performance, and producing clear and accurate reporting. Through effective contract and performance management, this role supports delivery of SYMCA’s organisational objectives and ensures strong oversight of public‑funded programmes delivered by external providers.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile (please see role profile attached). Please note, all applications should be made directly via our careers portal.
About the role
The Education, Skills and Employability Team are seeking a Contracts and Performance Officer to drive performance and impact through the management of delivery of a portfolio of grants and contracts across major skills and employment programmes. This role is central to ensuring that our contracted activity is delivered efficiently, meets compliance standards (through close working with our Quality and Compliance Team), and supports the delivery of our strategic objectives by evidencing impact.
You will lead on delivery of contract and performance management for a number of learning organisations delivering Adult Skills, Free Courses for Jobs and Skills Bootcamps. This includes working closely with internal teams and external delivery partners to ensure effective delivery, providing regular performance reporting and escalating issues as necessary.
Key responsibilities
- Assisting in the delivery of the Growth, Business and Skills contract management strategy, ensuring it is understood and implemented consistently across the directorate.
- Providing proactive support to contract managers, including guidance, training and sharing best practice.
- Drafting and managing contracts in line with relevant legislation, organisational procedures and controls.
- Monitoring and reporting on contract performance, using performance data, contract monitoring activity and review meetings to inform accurate and timely reporting.
- Maintaining high‑quality contract data by ensuring systems are regularly updated and contain accurate information.
- Maintaining a detailed working knowledge of procurement legislation, policy and organisational Financial Regulations relevant to contract management.
- Assisting with liaison with internal and external stakeholders, to support the effective delivery of the organisation’s contract management function.
About you
You will bring strong organisational skills; a keen eye for detail; the ability to understand and translate contractual terms and conditions and data; and an understanding of delivery of skills programmes. You will be joining a collaborative and supportive team who are solutions focussed.
Knowledge, experience and skills
- Knowledge of the principles of contract management and contract law
- Working knowledge of public sector procurement and contracting processes and requirements
- Excellent knowledge of IT systems, including Microsoft Office
- Strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Strong time management and prioritisation skills
- High level of tact, diplomacy, and ability to manage sensitive and confidential information
- Ability to produce high‑quality documentation and reports suitable for different audiences
Benefits
All colleagues have access to a Local Government Pension Scheme and the chance to be part of an organisation where you can really make a difference. Located in Sheffield City Centre, we are well-placed for transport links and encourage employees to take advantage of the active travel facilities. Work/life balance is extremely important to us here at SYMCA with our recognised family/friendly policies, genuine work flexibility, recognition, and shared success.
In addition to the above, some of our benefits include:
- Holiday Entitlement – From 28 to 36 days annual leave entitlement (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays. Pro-rata for part time colleagues.
- Annual Leave Purchase Scheme – The ability to purchase up to a further 15 days per year in addition to your normal annual leave.
- Hybrid working – Our offices are a space where we come together and collaborate. Most of our roles are offered on a hybrid basis with the exception of some support roles being onsite full time. Please note, unless specified within the job advert, we cannot accommodate remote working contracts.
- Flexible Hours Scheme – Most roles within SYMCA work under the Flexi‑Scheme which allows office‑based employees’ flexibility and discretion over their working hours. Under the scheme employees can accrue a defined amount of credit or debit of working hours, and to take time‑off in the form of Flexi‑Leave or banked Annual Leave.
- Rewarding You – Reducing everyday expenses through discounts, benefits, financial advice, wellbeing solutions and more with Reward Gateway and Cycle‑to‑Work schemes.
- Training on the job – Support with upskilling skills through on‑the‑job training and qualifications.
- Professional Membership Fees – Where membership to Professional bodies is applicable to your role, SYMCA will reimburse your membership fees where applicable and following approval by Line Management.
Diversity and Inclusion
Our workforce is made up of a diverse community, where we all belong and feel part of something bigger. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief.
All employees are eligible to request Flexible Working arrangements from day one of employment; all requests will be considered subject to operational requirements.
Where candidates share disabilities within the application process, if they demonstrate that they meet all essential criteria from the Role Profile within their application, they will automatically be invited to interview.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the process, please contact recruitment@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk or include within your application form detailing the adjustment and how it will assist in managing any barriers.
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