Relationship Manager
Salary: £31,000 - £35,000
Contract type: Fixed-term (12 months, with possibility to extend dependent on funding), job-share or part-time working may be available.
Location: Knaresborough, with flexible hybrid working
We want to strengthen our team with a new Relationship Manager joining our Programmes team. The role will manage a number of our programmes and be the main point of contact for delivery partners on those programmes. Employer engagement is also a key activity for managing these programmes.
Working closely with the other Relationship Managers you will ensure a high-quality and consistent supportive experience for our delivery partners. Flexible hybrid working is available, but it's important that our team are familiar with the region we cover (York, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire) and can travel to the office in Knaresborough as and when required.
We are a Disability Confident Employer, a Mindful Employer, and an Age-Friendly Employer. Diversity of thought and experience strengthens our team, and we encourage applications from anyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We truly welcome applications from anyone who thinks they are a good fit for the role.
The role is fixed-term for 12 months. We commit to providing all the opportunities and benefits available to the whole team. Dependent on future funding, there may be the possibility to extend the contract. If the contract does not extend, we still want your experience with us to be positive and will ensure a supportive offboarding experience, doing all we can to support your future success elsewhere.
We encourage you to browse our website to find out more about us as an organisation, our current team members, our programmes, which are usually publicly funded (e.g. from the local authority or Mayoral Combined Authority), and our partners who are predominantly within the VCSE sector (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise).
Job Description and Person Specification
The following are key points from the Job Description and Person Specification. Please download and read the full version from our website before applying.
Job description:
* Acting as the primary point of contact for employers, developing strong partnerships that support programme goals.
* Referring employers to the appropriate support provision delivered by our programme partners and other services in our region to help employees overcome barriers to work, promoting inclusive and sustainable hiring practices.
* Leading the delivery of a programme that provides wage subsidy placements, supporting individuals into meaningful employment.
* Building positive relationships with delivery partners, taking the time to understand the work they do and how they do it, and act as one of the main points of contact for them, providing support and programme guidance in line with our values.
* Managing overall performance of your delivery partners, ensuring that all partnerships achieve or exceed their targets, working with relevant colleagues to address underperformance.
Person specification
* Experience of building effective relationships with a range of people and working effectively across teams
* Experience of managing projects or programmes
* Experience of employer engagement (small and medium enterprises, SME's)
* Well-developed presentational, negotiation and influencing skills
* Ability to make judgements and recommendations in the context of complex systems and risk
* Demonstrable commitment and modelling of Better Connect's values
The organisation
Better Connect is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to create a Yorkshire where everyone can thrive in their life and their work. We hold our values at the heart of everything we do, and the success of our programmes is due to the great people who work here and our partnerships of community-focussed organisations.
We believe that locally rooted organisations with a strong social mission who work in effective partnership with others have the biggest impact on individuals and communities. We exist to create those partnerships and unlock the potential of local organisations.
We have a strong track record and are well-regarded within the region. Our way of working, led by our values and represented by our kind, friendly and professional team, shows that truly collaborative partnership working can be life changing for the individuals our programmes support.
Why join the team
We are a professional, supportive, and welcoming team united by our shared vision and values. Our regular employee experience surveys consistently show that working here is fantastic. At Better Connect, we want all members of our team to feel supported, valued and ultimately happy at work. We want people to feel empowered to be themselves and feel safe enough to do that whilst at work. We value everyone's voice equally and aim to ensure that Better Connect is a place that represents everyone who works here.
Benefits of working at Better Connect include:
* Monthly Team Days, where we all get together to learn and have some fun. These are also often opportunities to collaborate and co-produce work.
* We know the value of a good work-life balance and have an effective flexible working policy to support this – including flexibility of start, finish and lunchtimes, hybrid working, and supportively considering formal flexible working requests.
* We receive a minimum of 26 days holiday (pro rata), which increases the longer you work at Better Connect. Bank holidays are in addition to this, meaning everyone gets at least 34 days off each year.
* Our Employee Assistance Programme provides access to a comprehensive package of wellbeing support including counselling, 24/7 helpline and wellbeing portal that also includes information about family and relationships, legal and financial matters.
* After 3 months of service, all staff are automatically enrolled in our pension scheme with the People's Pension. The People's Pension offers a range of investment options, including an ethical fund.
* We offer enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to make it easier for team members who are welcoming a new addition to their family.
How to apply
Ensure you have read the full job description and person specification on our website:
Our website also includes information about how we can help you to do your best in this recruitment process.
Applications should be sent by email to Deborah Chaddock, Head of Operations, at, and you should check that you include the following:
* Your completed Application Form
* Details of any reasonable adjustments or arrangements that you may need during the recruitment process. In order for us to guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability meeting the minimum criteria, the Head of Operations does need to know about any disability at this stage.
All information will be stored confidentially, and only your anonymised Application Form will be shared with the panel prior to shortlisting.
Timeline
Deadline for applications: 9am Friday 26th September 2025
Shortlisted candidates notified: Thursday 2nd October 2025
Provisional interview dates: Tuesday 7th October and Wednesday 8th October 2025
There will be tasks relevant to the role to be completed by shortlisted candidates as part of the interview.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £31,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Company pension
* Enhanced maternity leave
* Enhanced paternity leave
* Flexitime
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site parking
* Paid volunteer time
* Sick pay
* Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Knaresborough HG5 0AS