Employment & Progression Manager

High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an experienced and motivated Employment & Progression Manager to lead the employment side of our Adult Learning, Skills and Employment service, helping local people move into work, training and further learning through a joined-up offer that brings community education and one-to-one employment support together under one roof.

Our employment support works with residents across Lambeth, including young people aged 16-24 and residents aged 50 and over, through funded programmes delivered by a skilled team of Employment Advisors and welfare advice staff. You will lead this team day to day, take responsibility for contract performance and claims, and lead our youth employment pathway, Build Your Future, working with colleagues in Children, Young People & Families and with local partners.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys combining people management with strong delivery, employer relationships and commercial awareness. You will build the routes that connect people across High Trees, from our adult learning courses and youth provision into employment support, welfare advice and work, so that every individual can take their next step.

About the role

As Employment & Progression Manager, you will:

• Lead, support and develop our team of Employment Advisors and welfare advice staff to deliver person-centred, high-quality employment support.
• Take operational responsibility for our funded employment programmes, ensuring strong performance against contract targets and outcomes.
• Manage the claims pipeline and forecast outcomes and income for our employment contracts, working closely with our Data & Compliance Lead and Finance.
• Lead our youth employment pathway, Build Your Future, coordinating outreach, partner delivery and wraparound support for young people.
• Lead employer engagement for the service, building a pipeline of vacancies, placements and recruitment opportunities.
• Develop progression routes across High Trees services, working with the Adult Learning Manager to join up learning and employment.
• Contribute to the leadership and development of the Adult Learning, Skills and Employment service.

About you

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Experience of managing publicly funded employment support or employability programmes, with responsibility for delivery and contract performance.
• A confident understanding of outcome-based claims and forecasting against contract profiles.
• Experience of line managing and developing staff, including supervision and caseload management.
• A track record of building relationships with employers and creating employment opportunities.
• A person-centred approach and a strong understanding of what helps people facing multiple barriers progress into work.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to balance delivery, performance and partnership working.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to shape how employment support works across a values-led community organisation, at a time when we are bringing learning, skills and employment closer together. You will join a supportive team, have real influence over how our services develop, and see the difference your work makes to people and communities in Lambeth