Job Role : Senior Employment Coach Location : Berkshire (flexible base within the county; delivery across community venues) Salary : £34,000 £36,000 (dependent on experience) Contract : Permanent Travel expenses beyond the agreed base location will be reimbursed.
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Role Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Employment Specialist to support the delivery of the Connect to Work programme across Berkshire.
This role will combine direct customer support with leadership responsibilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred employment services throughout the region.
You will manage a small caseload, providing tailored employability support and engaging directly with employers to secure sustainable job opportunities.
Alongside this, you will offer day-to-day leadership and guidance to a team of Employment Specialists, modelling best practice and driving performance to achieve programme outcomes.
This is a crucial role requiring passion, resilience, and a genuine commitment to supporting people into meaningful and sustainable employment.
Key Responsibilities: Team Leadership Lead, support and motivate a team of Employment Specialists to champion customers and promote their value to employers.
Provide line management, coaching and ongoing development to ensure high-quality delivery.
Guide the team in creating and implementing tailored action plans for each customer.
Oversee quality, performance and compliance across the team, ensuring contractual standards are met.
Work collaboratively with the Contract Manager and partners to ensure a consistent, joined-up approach across Berkshire.
Customer Support & Case Management Manage a small caseload, delivering personalised, strengths-based employability support.
Conduct regular check-ins with customers pre-employment and post-employment to monitor progress.
Identify and address employment barriers, providing challenge, advice and encouragement to build confidence and capability.
Recommend training, development opportunities and appropriate vacancies aligned to customer needs and aspirations.
Maintain accurate, compliant customer records in line with quality requirements.
Employer Engagement Promote customers directly to employers, advocating for inclusive hiring and sustainable employment opportunities.
Build strong relationships with local employers and partners to facilitate work trials, placements and job opportunities.
Develop a strong understanding of local labour market needs and opportunities.
Networking & Signposting Build knowledge of local support services relating to disability, housing, benefits, mental health and other specialist needs.
Signpost customers appropriately and maintain strong local relationships with community organisations.
Performance & Quality Meet personal and team performance targets, KPIs and quality/compliance standards.
Deliver consistently high-quality, impactful employability provision both face-to-face and remotely.
Essential Criteria: Experience delivering an IPS contract and ability to model best practice.
Experience leading, mentoring or supporting staff within employability or support services.
Strong understanding of barriers to employment, including disability, welfare, and mental health.
Proven ability to build employer relationships and advocate for inclusive recruitment.
Excellent communication, coaching and organisational skills.
Ability to manage team performance and maintain quality service delivery.
Solution-focused approach with a passion for supporting people into sustainable work.
Desirable Criteria: Degree-level education or strong track record in employability, supported employment, case management, sales or customer-focused roles.
Experience on government-funded employment programmes. xjlbheb
Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (community-based delivery).