Education Contracts Manager

An established education services provider is seeking an experienced Contract Manager to take ownership of a portfolio of accounts delivering alternative education to children who need it most. This is a role for someone who understands education from the inside out and wants their commercial and account management skills to translate directly into better outcomes for vulnerable learners.

The organisation works hand-in-hand with Local Authorities to provide inclusive, high-quality tuition, with a clear mission to close the inequality gap in education. As Contract Manager, you will sit at the centre of every account, keeping parents, tutors, schools and Local Authorities aligned and focused on each learner's success.

This is a predominantly office based position in Hertfordshire, working within a small, fast-paced and mission-driven team.

Reporting Line and Hours
Reports to: Contracts Director
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Location: Office-based, Hertfordshire

About the Role
The Contract Manager oversees the full lifecycle of learner experiences while ensuring each contract remains profitable. You will act as the key liaison across all stakeholders, delivering a consistent, joined-up service that keeps everyone informed and working toward the same goal. Your work will shape real outcomes for children in alternative education by ensuring the right support reaches the right learner at the right time.

Here's what you'll be doing:

• Owning and managing the P&L for assigned contracts to ensure profitability and long-term value
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with Local Authorities, schools, parents and tutors, acting as the main point of contact for your accounts
• Leading planning, review, medical and safeguarding meetings with account contacts as required
• Ensuring monthly KPIs are consistently met and exceeded across all contracts
• Sourcing, assessing and allocating the most suitable tutors for each contract, then supporting them with lesson planning, feedback and performance reviews
• Producing monthly performance reports and comprehensive written reports for Local Authorities
• Maintaining accurate records and ensuring all documentation is compliant with company and Local Authority requirements
• Preparing mini-bids, independently or alongside Bid Writers, to win new business and grow the portfolio
• Supporting compliance with safeguarding, data protection and regulatory requirements at all times

Here are the skills you'll need:
This role requires a genuine education background. You must understand how education works in practice, ideally within the UK schools, tuition, SEN or alternative provision landscape. Candidates without direct education sector experience will not be suitable for this position.

Beyond that, you will bring:

• Proven experience in contract or account management, ideally within education or the public sector
• A strong working understanding of how education is delivered, funded and coordinated, and the needs of vulnerable and alternative-provision learners
• Commercial acumen with hands-on experience managing budgets, P&L and KPIs
• Excellent interpersonal, stakeholder management and communication skills
• Strong organisational and multitasking ability, with sharp attention to detail
• The ability to write professional reports and bid proposals
• Excellent IT skills

Desirable: direct experience working with Local Authorities or education-based services, knowledge of safeguarding procedures and education regulations, and previous experience managing or supporting tutors and educators.

Work Permissions
You must have the right to work in the United Kingdom. Visa sponsorship is not available at this time.

Safeguarding
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and declare any relevant convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings in line with current guidance. A criminal record will not necessarily bar candidates from employment; any decision will depend on the nature of the role and the circumstances of the offence.

Key perks and benefits:

• Salary of £32,000 plus bonus
• 32 days holiday including bank holidays, rising annually to a cap of 35 days
• Company pension scheme
• Free local gym membership after three months
• The chance to do commercially meaningful work that genuinely improves children's lives

Why This Career Matters
Alternative and inclusive education is one of the most vital and fast-growing areas of the sector, with Local Authorities increasingly reliant on trusted specialist providers to support learners who fall outside mainstream settings. A Contract Manager who combines commercial discipline with a real understanding of education is exceptionally well placed for long-term career growth, whether progressing into senior contract leadership, operations or business development. This is a career where every account you manage translates into tangible impact for children who need it most.
This organisation is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and to building a workforce where every individual can thrive.

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