Overview
We're recruiting for an Employment Navigator Specialist to support the delivery of the CFO Evolution contract across the South West, helping individuals within the Criminal Justice System access meaningful employment opportunities. In this employer facing role, you'll work closely with hiring managers and local teams to understand recruitment needs and co-design tailored pathways into work for participants whether they're leaving custody or serving sentences in the community. You'll lead on developing and delivering strategic employer engagement plans, including regular job fairs in both community and custodial settings. By identifying opportunities in growth sectors and promoting the skills and potential of people on probation and prison leavers, you'll help open doors and challenge perceptions. You'll also build strong relationships with key stakeholders and employment networks to maximise business outcomes. This is a peripatetic role, requiring regular travel across your allocated clusters for employer engagement, service delivery, and meetings with flexibility to support other locations across the South West region as needed.
Responsibilities
* Develop and deliver strategic employer engagement plans, including regular job fairs in community and custodial settings.
* Identify opportunities in growth sectors and promote the skills and potential of people on probation and prison leavers to open doors and challenge perceptions.
* Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and employment networks to maximise business outcomes.
* Travel regularly across allocated clusters for employer engagement, service delivery, and meetings, with flexibility to support other locations across the South West region as needed.
* Collaborate with hiring managers and local teams to understand recruitment needs and co-design tailored pathways into work for participants.
Qualifications and Experience
* Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience in working with external senior managers in an account management capacity.
* Experience in a performance target driven environment (e.g., recruitment, sales).
* Experience of working with people with multiple and complex needs, particularly those known to the Criminal Justice System.
* Knowledge of the employability and recruitment industry; previous sales or recruitment experience, ideally with experience securing job vacancies and supporting candidates into work.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly and maintain positive relationships; highly organised with good attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple employer accounts.
* Good understanding of welfare to work services and diverse customer groups; strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to influence employer decisions.
* Knowledge of the local labour market in the South West region; ability to contact decision makers, identify opportunities, and close contracts.
* High level of digital literacy (MS Office and web-based tools); knowledge of social media for networking and lead generation.
* GCSE or equivalent in English and Maths at grade C or above, or equivalent qualification or experience.
* Willingness to undertake relevant training, travel flexibility, and occasional work outside standard hours.
* Full valid driving licence for deployment across a specified geographical area; willingness to partake in vetting and screening processes (HMPPS Enhanced Level 1 Vetting).
* Willingness to work across clusters/regions, including travel to community and custodial establishments as needed.
* Demonstrates resilience in fast-paced, changing environments with the ability to deliver work efficiently and meet targets and contractual requirements.
* Ability to research, analyse, and interpret data to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
Disability Confident
Disability Confident About Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. Details may vary in recruitment situations such as high-volume or seasonal periods.
Benefits
* £40,000 per annum (dependent on experience), plus a competitive benefits package.
* 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays + Birthday Day off (with the option to buy an additional 5 days).
* 2 Volunteer Days.
* Pension - 5% Employee, 5% Employer.
* Healthcare Cash Plan, incl. 3 x salary life assurance.
* Annual salary pay review.
* Refer a friend scheme.
* Free access to Benefit Hub with a wide range of retail discounts, cycle to work scheme, and additional voluntary benefits.
* Opportunity to progress your career.
Interested? There’s an easy to apply route below to upload your CV. For further information, contact our Internal Recruitment Team on 01702 595200. Communities and Education Division is part of an employee‑owned organisation, dedicated to the communities we serve.
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