Project Manager | Adult Skills Fund

Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Job Description

Salary £46,142 - £51,356 per annum | Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week | Preston

Shape the future of adult skills in Lancashire

This is a pivotal and exciting opportunity to play a central role in delivering one of Lancashire’s most important devolved programmes.

As Project Manager – Adult Skills Fund, you will be at the heart of Lancashire’s devolved skills system, taking day‑to‑day responsibility for the operational delivery of the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) across the county. You will ensure that public investment translates into real outcomes for learners, employers and communities, supporting adults to gain the skills they need to access work, progress in employment and respond to local labour market priorities.

Working within the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub, this role sits at the crossroads of strategy and delivery. You will translate commissioning decisions and strategic priorities into strong, high‑performing delivery on the ground, working closely with providers, partners and internal colleagues.

About the role

The Adult Skills Fund is a core component of Lancashire’s devolution deal and economic strategy, supporting delivery of the Lancashire Growth Plan, Strategic Skills Plan and wider place‑based ambitions.

In this role, you will:

• take the lead on the day‑to‑day operational management of the Adult Skills Fund across Lancashire
• act as the primary operational contact for learning providers, managing performance, delivery and compliance
• oversee contracts and grant agreements to ensure providers deliver agreed learner volumes, outcomes and financial profiles
• lead regular performance reviews, identify risks early and drive corrective action where required
• manage data, assurance, audit and compliance activity to protect public funds and programme reputation
• produce clear, evidence‑based reports to support senior decision‑making and programme governance

This is a hands‑on role that will appeal to someone who enjoys working at pace, solving problems, using data to drive decisions and building strong, accountable relationships with providers.

Why this role matters

This role is critical to ensuring that devolved ASF:

• delivers measurable impact for learners and employers
• operates as a well‑controlled, high‑performing programme
• supports priority sectors and inclusive growth across Lancashire
• continually improves through strong performance management and assurance

You will be trusted to make operational judgements, challenge constructively, and help shape how devolved skills funding is delivered in practice.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• significant experience of managing publicly funded skills, education or employment provision
• proven experience of operational contract or grant management with external providers
• confidence in performance management, including addressing underperformance
• strong understanding of funding rules, audit and assurance frameworks
• the ability to analyse delivery and financial data and use insight to drive improvement
• the confidence to work autonomously while collaborating across teams and partner

You don’t necessarily need to come from a local authority background, what matters is your operational credibility, judgement and ability to manage complex delivery environments.

What we offer

• The opportunity to work on a high‑profile, devolved programme with real economic and social impact
• A role with genuine responsibility, influence and visibilityA supportive, collaborative team environment within the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub
• Competitive salary, local government pension and a strong commitment to learning and development
• The chance to help shape the future of adult skills delivery in Lancashire

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