We're looking for a Connect to Work Operations Lead, Interested?
Do you want a role where you're recognised for what you do, given the opportunity to thrive and have the chance to be the best version of yourself? Interested in joining a great organisation with an employee offer and experience that rivals others? Are you looking for a new challenge? If so, please keep reading as you're just what we're looking for
The team…
Do you have a passion for helping people reach their potential and lead a fulfilling working life?
We are setting up a brand-new team to deliver the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Connect to Work local supported employment programme. Based within the Business Employment and Skills service, the team will help people with autism, learning disabilities or belonging to specified target groups gain and sustain work achieve their employment goals.
About the role…
The Connect to Work Operations Lead will supervise a team of Job Coaches delivering the Council's DWP Connect to Work Local Supported Employment Programme and ensure a co-ordinated approach to delivery against the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
The post is grant funded and therefore subject to funding terms and conditions. The post is initially offered on a fixed term basis to 31 March 2026 but we intend to extend it to 31 March 2029 upon conclusion of the grant funding process in autumn 2025.
With knowledge of the core values of supported employment and the SEQF, you will have an understanding of services delivered and contracted by DWP, knowledge of the local labour market and business environment, equality legislation relevant to employment, inclusive recruitment practices and reasonable adjustments.
The successful candidate will have expert knowledge of learning disabilities and autism applying to gaining and maintaining employment, systematic instruction and the agencies and local / regional support services available to provider specialist support couple with knowledge of barriers to employment experienced by those facing disadvantage in the labour market including carers, a person who is homeless a care experienced young person or care leaver, a victim/survivor of domestic abuse or modern slavery. It is essential candidates have knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults.
The successful candidate should hold a Level 4 Information Advice and Guidance qualification, Level 4 Employability Practitioner or prepared to work towards.
You will play a key role from the outset. It is essential that you have extensive experience delivering employment support or supported employment contracts or services with contractual job outcome performance measures.
You will be experienced in managing, supervising or supported staff to achieve results and have participated in external quality assurance assessment processes in an employment or skills context.
Experience of developing and maintaining effective relationships with employers to create recruitment opportunities for people who are unemployed and economically inactive, working collaboratively with partners, stakeholders and specialist support organisations will be key to making the programme a success and are essential.
You will also hold a personal caseload, so a track record of providing information, advice and guidance for people with health conditions or disabilities to help them achieve work or learning goal will be essential. Prior experience of using customer relationship management systems to record support, individual progress and outcomes will underpin this.
The need to communicate effectively in a range of forums will be important throughout the programme so experience of preparing written reports and delivering presentations is essential.
Connect to Work is centred on helping people so you will bring a diverse skills set to the role. This includes exceptional interpersonal and communication skills such as empathy, patience, active listening, the ability to build trust and rapport, and adapt to different situations and audiences. The ability to coach, mentor and motivate is a must.
It is essential that candidates have the skills to engage businesses, partners and stakeholders in both formal and informal settings and can assimilate and interpret a broad range of information and communicate complex detail or instructions.
It is essential candidates have the skills to confidently and effectively manage conflicting priorities, their own workload and demonstrate strong IT, written and presentation skills.
If successful you will be required to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.
A bit about Gateshead Council…
Gateshead is a constantly changing borough combining modern facilities with a fascinating heritage and the demand for our services continues to grow. We engage with many partners and contract a high number of services to deliver the best outcomes for our community. We're truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a sector leading service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.
People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council, and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative.
What's in it for you? Well, there's so much on offer and here's just a few of the highlights
* You'll be paid a competitive salary £39,152 to £41,771pa.
* We'll help you save for your future with an outstanding employer contribution to your pension.
* You will receive an annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days per year (pro-rata for part time employees) rising to 32, 2 of which may be fixed by the council at any time. You also have the chance to buy up to 10 additional holidays per year.
* You'll have the opportunity to participate in the Council's Flexi time scheme, subject to management approval and business needs, which could be up to 26 flexi days per year.
* We offer hybrid working arrangements to ensure a positive work life balance.
* A robust Workforce Development offer with opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas.
* You'll have access to great health and wellbeing support and ability to use our cycle to work scheme. Working with our partners, GLL you can also access discounted leisure facilities Gym and Leisure Centre Memberships | Better
* You'll have access to our new benefits platform VIVUP where you can get discounts and offers on online and high street shopping
It's time to apply
We're delighted that you want to come and work with us. Please take a look at the full job profile via this link: JOB PROFILE. It's important that you read it in full and check that you meet the essential criteria, because when we start choosing people to come and meet us we'll be checking to ensure that they meet the essential criteria as set out in the job profile.
For an informal discussion, questions about the fixed term contract or if you need any assistance, please contact Julie Killick by email including a contact telephone number.
For an informal discussion, questions about the fixed term contract or if you need any assistance, please contact Julie Killick by email including a contact telephone number.