About Enterprise Oxfordshire
Enterprise Oxfordshire, formerly known as OxLEP, is dedicated to supporting local people and businesses in Oxfordshire. We help individuals build the skills they need to succeed in the workplace and get good, lasting jobs. At the same time, we offer advice and support to businesses across the county, helping them grow and thrive in a fair and inclusive way.
Connect to Work
Connect to Work is a new programme in Oxfordshire, run by Enterprise Oxfordshire with support from the County Council and funding from the Department for Work and Pensions. Its goal is to help local people with disabilities, mental health conditions and complex barriers to enter and sustain employment. This is the first step in a wider government plan to help more people get into good, lasting jobs.
Employment Engagement Advisor role
We are currently looking for an Employer Engagement Advisor who will be instrumental in supporting the Connect to Work IPS delivery team. You will help the employer to carve and design jobs and having a familiarity with the Connect to Work programme participants, you will be well placed to support the team to effectively job matching.
Key responsibilities
* Lead a small team of Employment Specialists
* Monitoring and managing performance of Employment Specialists
* Establish strong relationships with local employers, understanding their current and future recruitment needs and be able to negotiate suitable placements
* Build a community of employer connections, establishing a pipeline of opportunities
* Supporting employers to understand inclusive practices in recruitment, new starter onboarding and job coaching and ensuring strategies are in place to reduce barriers in the workplace
* Keeping up to date with local labour market information and employment landscape knowledge
* Ensure IPS fidelity assurance is delivered and maintained
* Update and maintain accurate records using CRM system and compile reports to be submitted to programme team
* Ensure full compliance with all contractual data collection, reporting, and quality standards.
Person specification
Experience
* Previous training in the IPS approach (desirable)
* Proven experience in employability, recruitment, or related services
* Demonstrable experience of engaging and building credibility and relationships
* Knowledge of disability and special needs issues, policies, and legislation in relation to employment
* Experience/understanding of working with people with severe and enduring mental health needs, or a similar client group within health, social services or the voluntary sector
* Strong knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of supported employment
Personal attributes
* Proactive, with the ability to work independently, prioritising a busy workload and managing relationships with many stakeholders, adapting to conflicting priorities and deadlines as needed.
* Ability to influence, suggest solutions and advocate for participants on the programme
* A strategic thinker who can plan ahead to measure and drive performance.
* Empathetic and an able leader who communicates clearly across diverse groups.
* Passionate and proactive about supporting individuals who have experienced mental health challenges, bringing both energy and genuine commitment to the role.
* Dynamic and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, ready to embrace change and meet new challenges with a solution-focused approach.
Additional requirements
* The successful applicant will be required to travel to venues across Oxfordshire on a regular basis. A valid driving licence and own transport, or alternative suitable methods of travel, is required.
* Work outside of standard hours including evenings and weekends may be required from time to time including attendance at meetings and events.
* Disclosure and Barring Service Check - This post is subject to Enhanced DBS checks.
Full-time hours: 30 hours per week (Enterprise Oxfordshire have a 4 day working week).
* Application deadline: Wednesday 1st October 2025
* Expected start date: November 2025
Send a CV and covering letter detailing your experience and suitability of the role to before Wednesday 1st Ocotober 2025.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Flexitime
* Free flu jabs
* Paid volunteer time
* Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oxford OX1 1BY