Contracts and Performance Officer – Adult Skills
Application Deadline: 6 July 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.
This role focuses on driving effective contract management and performance improvement, working closely with delivery partners to ensure programmes deliver SYMCA’s organisational objectives and ensures strong oversight of public-funded programmes delivered by external providers.
You will take a lead role in overseeing contract delivery, monitoring performance, and building strong provider relationships, supported by robust systems, processes, and data-driven insight.
Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter to detail how you meet the criteria as detailed within the role profile (please see 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 support the delivery of skills and employment programmes by ensuring that contracts are actively managed, performance is maximised, and risks are identified early and addressed effectively.
You will be responsible for a portfolio of contracts delivering provision such as Adult Skills, Free Courses for Jobs, and Skills Bootcamps. The role is central to ensuring that provision is delivered to a high standard, meets required outputs and outcomes, and aligns with strategic priorities.
We are particularly interested in candidates with a background in the adult skills, employability, or further education sector, who understand funding criteria and the challenges of delivery and can work effectively with providers to drive high-quality outcomes.
Working closely with internal teams and external delivery partners, you will use performance data, contract management processes, and regular engagement to drive continuous improvement and ensure accountability.
Key responsibilities
- Lead on the day-to-day management of a portfolio of contracts and grants, ensuring delivery aligns with agreed outcomes, targets, and quality expectations
- Monitor contract performance through data analysis, review meetings, and contract monitoring activity, taking action to address underperformance
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with learning organisations to support effective delivery and continuous improvement
- Produce clear, timely, and accurate performance reports, highlighting risks, issues, and achievements
- Support the delivery and continuous improvement of the directorate’s contract management approach and processes
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date contract and performance data across systems
- Work collaboratively with internal teams, including Quality and Compliance, to ensure consistent and proportionate oversight of delivery
- Provide guidance and support to colleagues and providers on contract management processes and expectations
- Contribute to resolving delivery issues, including escalation where required
- Ensure contracts are managed in line with organisational processes, funding requirements, and relevant regulations.
About you
You will be a proactive and organised professional with experience in contract or performance management, ideally within a public sector or adult skills delivery environment.
You will bring an understanding of the skills and employability landscape, including how provision is delivered and measured, and be confident in working with learning organisations to support performance and improvement.
You’ll thrive in a collaborative environment and bring a practical, solutions-focused approach to managing delivery and improving performance.
Knowledge, experience and skills
- Experience of managing contracts, grants, or service delivery performance
- Experience of working within the skills, employability, or further education sector and a strong understanding of these programmes
- Strong ability to monitor, interpret, and act on performance data
- Experience of working with external providers or partners to drive delivery improvement
- Good understanding of contract management principles and processes
- Awareness of public sector funding or commissioning environments
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
- Excellent communication and relationship management skills
- Ability to produce clear and effective reports for a range of audiences
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and systems
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and data management systems
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.
- 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 at South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority
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 as such all requests will be considered subject to operation 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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