Assistant Delivery Manager - Placed Based Development

West Midlands Combined Authority; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional authority in the UK is seeking an Assistant Delivery Manager to enhance Skills Funding Programmes across Birmingham. This role requires strong contract management experience, excellent Excel skills, and the ability to produce insightful reports. You will actively engage with local providers and authorities, ensuring compliance while promoting effective delivery of educational programmes. Ideal candidates should possess a solid understanding of the skills sector and the ability to interpret economic data. The role balances both office work and community engagement, making a significant impact on local communities.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

28 days paid annual leave

Discounted gym membership

Interest-free financing for technology

Eye care scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in contract management, performance management or compliance.
• Experience working with grant-funded programmes, including funding claims.
• A good understanding of the 16+ skills sector and Skills Funding Programme delivery.
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with dashboards and performance data.
• The ability to interpret economic and labour market intelligence.
• Strong report writing and communication skills.
• The confidence to challenge constructively and support improvement.
• Excellent organisation skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Managing and developing a caseload of Learning Organisations.
• Building strong relationships with Local Authorities and key partners.
• Interrogating performance data using Excel and dashboards.
• Producing clear, insightful reports for colleagues and stakeholders.
• Identifying delivery and compliance risks.

Skills

Contract management

Performance management

Compliance

Excel skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Job description

Assistant Delivery Manager - Placed Based Development

We are looking for an Assistant Delivery Manager – Place Based Development to join our Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate. This is a fast-moving, hands‑on role where insight>You’ll work with a caseload of Learning Organisations delivering Skills Funding Programmes across the West Midlands. Your job is to understand how those programmes are performing, what the data is telling us, and what needs to change to ensure funding delivers real impact for local communities.

You’ll spend a lot of time working with Excel, dashboards, provider data and economic and labour market intelligence, turning numbers into insight and insight into action.

This isn’t a desk‑only role. You’ll be out with providers and local authorities, asking the right questions, spotting risks early and helping delivery partners improve. You’ll be close to delivery, close to data and close to impact. The work you do will directly influence how public funding is used and how well skills provision meets local need across the West Midlands.

What you’ll be doing.

• Managing and developing a caseload of Learning Organisations, supporting high‑quality, compliant delivery of Skills Funding Programmes
• Building strong place‑based relationships with Local Authorities and key partners in the employment and skills ecosystem
• Interrogating performance data using Excel and dashboards to track KPIs, spot trends and identify issues early
• Using provider data and labour market intelligence to inform recommendations and decisions
• Producing clear, insightful reports and briefings for colleagues and senior stakeholders
• Leading and supporting thematic and place‑based projects linked to new strategies and Single Settlement priorities
• Proactively identifying delivery and compliance risks, monitoring action plans and escalating where necessary
• Supporting providers to improve performance and addressing underperformance when required
• Sharing best practice across the provider network to strengthen delivery capacity
• Spending time on site with providers, with regular weekly visits and local authority co‑location

What’s essential.

• Experience in contract management, performance management or compliance
• Experience working with grant‑funded programmes, including funding claims
• A good understanding of the 16+ skills sector and Skills Funding Programme delivery
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with dashboards and performance data
• The ability to interpret economic and labour market intelligence
• Strong report writing and communication skills
• The confidence to challenge constructively and support improvement
• Excellent organisation skills and attention to detail

Location.

The location for this role is Summer Lane with at least 2 days a week spent in the office. There will also be a requirement to attend face‑to‑face meetings with Providers on a weekly basis.

How to apply.

Applying for a role with WMCA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started.

• Create your Careers Account. Register with your name, email address, and a password.
• Build your Profile. Upload your CV to help populate your career and education details.
• Write your Supporting Statement. Make sure to address each of the required essential criteria.
• Submit your application. Do one final check and once complete, click submit.

Anonymised Applications.

Your uploaded CV won’t be visible after submission. Our process is anonymised, and only the information in your profile is used for shortlisting. Be thorough in each section. It’s your chance to showcase your skills and experience.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We cannot stop anyone from using AI to help write application content. Used right, it can be a great tool. If you choose to use AI, then use it as a helper rather than relying on it wholly to write your application.

Applications that rely too heavily on AI may be rejected during shortlisting. For help on how to write a supporting statement, please visit the FAQs section of our careers site.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team>Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year‑on‑year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees. Requests for salaries above the maximum advertised range will not be considered.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:>one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).

Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme where you can build an additional pot of money alongside your pension with contributions exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs).

28 days paid annual leave (with an option to purchase more) + Statutory days.

Discounted gym membership, will writing,andmortgage advice.

An option to buy a bicycle, including e‑

3 days of paid leave each year to volunteer.

Interest‑free financing through SmartTech to buy the latest technology Discounted shopping with over 2,000 big‑name retailers, and more. You can now also obtain a Costco membership through the WMCA. Boundless unlocks unlimited entry to top‑rated UK attractions and loads of extra benefits and discounts. Eye Care Scheme, offering a free eye test and a financial contribution towards your glasses.

For more information, please visit the benefits page on our career site.

WMCA is laser‑focused on improving the West Midlands, bringing economic growth, jobs, homes, and better journeys to the region. We target local needs where it matters most, ensuring everyone has a job that pays well and has access to safe and affordable places they can call home.

We put people and place at the heart of everything we do, working hand in hand with our partners to direct funding where it's needed most. What you do, really matters. Your expertise will help make a big difference, improving people's lives, every day.

Our Values.

Our behaviours sit at the heart of our values, helping to shape how we work together as WMCA employees and setting clear expectations.

Team Focused – working as part of team, managing and leading

Service Driven – customer, resident and partner focused

• Empowered and Accountable – taking ownership and leading when needed
  • One Organisation Mindset – believe in each others expertise
  • Open and Honest Communication – we do what we say we are going to do
  • Forward Thinking – embrace change and open to new possibilities
  • Problem Solving – go for clear and simple whenever possible
• Performance Focused – being ambitious and going the extra mile

Creating an inclusive workplace.

WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as the RACE Code Quality Mark, Armed Forces Covenant (Gold status) and been recognised as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We’re a Disability Confident Employer with ‘Leader’ status, committed to interviewing applicants with disabilities who meet all the essential role criteria.

We are also proud to be a Ban the Box employer, which means we do not ask about criminal convictions at the initial application stage, and will only ask after an offer is made as part of our onboarding checks, which helps us remove barriers for people with past convictions and supporting fair opportunities for all.

We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part‑time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don’t let these factors deter you from applying.

Right to Work in the UK

Proof of Right to Work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

Non‑UK applicants (excluding Ireland) would be required to hold a relevant Visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Assistant Delivery Manager - Placed Based Development

• Job Reference WMCA/TP/156/770
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 15 February, 2026
• Directorate Employment, Skills, Health & Communities
• Location 16 Summer Lane, Birmingham, United Kingdom