Apprenticeship Compliance and Contracts Manager

Job Description

Position overview

Location: Portsoken, London (Hybrid role - 50% On Campus / 50% Remote) Flexible working options to be discussed at interview

Term: Full-time (37.5hrs per week); Permanent

Benefits: The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offer flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme.

25 days personal holiday allowance + public holidays, plus winter break closure 24th December to 1st January (inclusive)

Line Management Responsibility: None

Reports to: Head of Operations & Quality Lead (Apprenticeships)

Start date (dependent on successful completion of relevant checks): Immediate (January 2026)

The role

Northeastern University London (NU London) wishes to appoint an Apprenticeship Compliance and Contracts Manager to lead the compliance, contract management, and regulatory requirements across our funded provision. This role will be instrumental in ensuring operational excellence, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement within our Degree Apprenticeship programmes and other funded initiatives.

As Apprenticeship Compliance and Contracts Manager, you will drive compliance frameworks that ensure adherence to DWP funding rules and audit requirements, and oversee the monthly ILR submission process with rigorous quality controls. You will be responsible for optimising learner journey processes from enrolment through to end point assessment, utilising data analytics and system insights to identify risks early and improve operational efficiency.

You will bring substantial apprenticeship compliance expertise, with demonstrated experience managing learner management systems (LMS), submitting ILR returns, analysing PDSAT reports, and working with the Apprenticeship Service account. Beyond technical compliance knowledge, you will possess a proactive, strategic mindset, capable of translating regulatory changes into actionable operational improvements, developing performance metrics that inform decision-making, and building strong stakeholder relationships both internally and externally.

You will champion process innovation, mentor administrative team members, and act as the subject matter expert on all matters related to compliance, contracts, and regulatory frameworks.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead the end-to-end contract lifecycle management, ensuring all Contracts for Services, Funding Agreements, Training Plans, Apprenticeship Agreements, and Sub-Contractor Contracts align with regulatory requirements and organisational risk appetite
• Develop and implement quality assurance frameworks to proactively identify compliance gaps before they impact funding or audit outcomes
• Own the monthly ILR submission process, implementing controls and validation checks that ensure data accuracy and minimize submission errors
• Conduct regular compliance audits and risk assessments, creating action plans to address vulnerabilities in apprenticeship delivery and funding processes
• Monitor and interpret changes to DWP Funding Rules, translating regulatory updates into operational requirements and staff training needs

Process Optimisation & Systems Leadership

• Drive continuous improvement of learner enrolment, on-programme support, and end point assessment processes through data analysis and stakeholder feedback
• Lead the strategic utilisation of the LMS (Maytas), designing dashboards and reporting mechanisms that provide early warning indicators of learner risk and operational bottlenecks
• Analyse PDSAT reports monthly to identify systemic issues and trends, implementing preventative measures rather than reactive corrections
• Develop and refine onboarding workflows that enhance quality, reduce administrative burden, and improve the learner and employer experience
• Champion digital transformation initiatives that streamline administrative processes and improve data integrity

Financial & Performance Oversight

• Maintain strategic oversight of the Apprenticeship Service account, proactively monitoring funding flows and resolving discrepancies that could impact revenue
• Lead funding diversification efforts, establishing robust administration and compliance frameworks for Skills Bootcamps and other funded programs
• Develop KPIs and performance metrics that track operational efficiency, and compliance rates of apprenticeship delivery

Stakeholder Leadership & Team Development

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with internal teams, employers, training providers, and regulatory bodies, setting clear expectations for communication standards and turnaround times
• Provide guidance and support to administrative team members, fostering a culture of compliance excellence and continuous improvement
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex compliance queries, contract disputes, and funding issues
• Represent the department in cross-functional projects and regulatory audits, articulating compliance requirements and operational capabilities

Data Governance & Reporting

• Establish comprehensive record-keeping protocols that ensure audit-readiness and support evidence-based decision making
• Create management information reports that inform senior leadership on compliance status, funding performance, and operational risks
• Lead Break-In-Learning (BIL) and Withdrawal processes, ensuring timely ILR updates while analysing patterns to inform retention strategies

General Responsibilities

• Other operational tasks commensurate with this role in support of the Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships Senior Management Team
• Adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act
• Participate in the University appraisal process and take responsibility for identifying your own professional and career development needs
• Foster a positive work environment with a good team spirit, including the wider support teams, with student experience at the forefront of all efforts
• Such other duties, commensurate with the grading of the post, that may be assigned by the Head of Operations and Quality Lead (Apprenticeships).

Person specification criteria

To undertake this role, the following should apply – should you not have the experience below, please do highlight where transferrable skills would assist with you undertaking the role.

Qualifications

• Honours degree or equivalent professional qualification and/or vocational qualification [E]

Key Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Substantial experience in apprenticeship compliance management, with expert knowledge of DWP funding rules, ILR submissions, and audit frameworks [E]
• Proven track record in contract lifecycle management and strategic oversight of regulatory requirements [E]
• Proficiency in using learner management systems (LMS) and the Apprenticeship Service Account, with ability to develop dashboards, analyse data, and create performance metrics that inform decision-making [E]
• Experience in use of Power BI or similar business intelligence tools [D]
• Demonstrated ability to identify compliance risks, lead process optimisation initiatives, and translate regulatory changes into operational improvements [E]
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience influencing senior leadership and managing complex multi-stakeholder environments [E]
• Experience working within a Further or Higher Education environment [E]
• Outstanding organisational skills with proven ability to manage strategic priorities autonomously while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and composure under pressure [E]
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office (particularly Excel), with strong data governance practices and comprehensive understanding of GDPR requirements [E]

About the University

Founded in 2012, Northeastern University London (formerly known as New College of the Humanities) has established itself as a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London. Northeastern University London is part of Northeastern University’s Global Campus Network. Positioned as top ranking in the USA, Northeastern has campuses in Arlington, Boston, Charlotte, Miami, Oakland, San Jose, and Seattle in the USA, and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

After becoming part of Northeastern University’s global network in early 2019, the University has undergone a period of rapid growth, having been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers in February 2020 and moved to a new, state-of-the-art campus in 2021.

Northeastern University London offers a vibrant, collegiate community delivering broad and academically rigorous degree programmes, designed to equip graduates with the combination of skills and knowledge that are increasingly desired by organisations, employers, and society. It offers state of the art audio visual technology in its teaching and meeting spaces across the organisation.

About Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships

The Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships section is dedicated to designing and delivering work-related learning throughout the UK and internationally. Our academic offerings use innovative pedagogical approaches and best practice in education to ensure an excellent learner experience. The team currently delivers a growing portfolio of work-related learning programmes and co-op placements, with a broad academic portfolio but with emphasis on areas of digital transformation, data science, artificial intelligence, and project management.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Deborah Hursey (deborah.hursey@nulondon.ac.uk). However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process

Your application should include a covering letter of no more than one page addressing the role criteria along with a full curriculum vitae.

Applications should be submitted via the 'Apply' button above (E:helen.pawley@nulondon.ac.uk) by the closing date of 11 December 2025. Please reference your application under the AC1125 code.

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.

Things to consider

For staff’s own wellbeing, for part time roles, the expectation is if you have multiple roles, they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week), and for full time roles, the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles such as exam invigilator etc).

Please note this role may require a basic or enhanced DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. 

Job sponsorship:

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR VISA SPONSORSHIP