Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Additional Payments: Casual Car Allowance
Closing Date: 02 July 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action
This role is subject to -
2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
Qualification - Degree or Level 6 professional qualification in Business Administration, Finance or relevant experience OR Leadership and Management Qualification (Level 5) or willingness to work towards one.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
Casual Car Documentation - The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.
Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)
Senior Leadership Opportunity
Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) is seeking an outstanding strategic leader to join its Senior Leadership Team (SLT) as Resource & Performance Manager.
This is one of the most senior management positions within the service, offering a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of adult education, skills and employment provision across Manchester. As a key member of the MAES Senior Leadership Team, you will play a central role in shaping strategy, driving organisational performance and ensuring the service continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for learners, communities and employers.
Working alongside the Principal/Head of Service of MAES and fellow senior leaders, you will provide strategic leadership across resource management, funding, performance, compliance, governance, risk and business planning, helping to ensure the service remains financially sustainable, operationally effective and responsive to changing local, regional and national priorities.
As Resource & Performance Manager, you will lead a broad portfolio of responsibilities that are critical to the success and future development of MAES. You will oversee the effective management of significant public funding and resources, ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements, and provide strategic leadership for performance improvement across the service.
You will act as a trusted advisor to the Principal/Head of Service, senior Council officers and elected members, providing expert insight and leadership on funding, performance, risk, governance and service development.
The role also provides an opportunity to influence skills and employment policy at both local and regional levels, working with key partners to support Manchester's ambitions for inclusive growth and lifelong learning.
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Brian Henry, at 07960 181700 and
[email protected]
to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
We are looking for an experienced and credible senior leader with substantial expertise in further education, adult learning, funding and organisational performance.
You will be comfortable operating at a strategic level while maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence, continuous improvement and delivering measurable outcomes.
Essential requirements for the role:
- Significant Education experience (FE, funding, etc.).
- Experience in business planning.
- Demonstrable experience using core systems – Tribal EBS.
- Experience managing funding audits and associated risks, working with internal and external auditors at the senior level.
- Evidence of successful networking external to the organisation.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent knowledge of Education (FE) reporting systems.
- Excellent knowledge of FE & HE Sector funding i.e. DfE, SLC, HEFCE, Apprenticeships.
- Excellent knowledge of national priorities and changes to government policy concerning FE/Adult Learning & Funding.
- Excellent knowledge Curriculum and financial planning.
Communication & Leadership
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop a team
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans
Personal Attributes
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail in managing systems and processes
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to think strategically
- Strong networking and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to influence key stakeholders at all levels.
- Confident team player and motivator.
- Committed to driving the EDI objective of becoming a truly inclusive Service. Dedicated to being a catalyst for social change.
- Creative, compassionate leader, with a focus on detail and driven by data and insight.
- Excellent communicator, negotiator and relationship manager.
- Committed to own Continuing professional Development
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
- Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected].
What we will need from you if you're successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Checks
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other relevant information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
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