Social Value Manager

About Orchard Recruitment

Established in 2007, Orchard Recruitment is an independently owned specialist recruitment business operating throughout the construction and civil engineering sectors.

We have built long-standing relationships with many of the UK’s leading contractors by delivering an ethical, reliable and personal recruitment service. Alongside our core recruitment activities, we are developing a genuine social value programme focused on helping people overcome barriers to employment and access sustainable opportunities within construction.

We are now looking for an experienced and passionate Social Value Manager to lead this work and help us increase the positive impact we make across the communities in which we and our clients operate.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and develop Orchard’s social value strategy.

Working closely with our Directors, recruitment team, clients and external delivery partners, you will turn our social value ambitions into practical programmes and measurable outcomes. A key part of the role will be connecting work-ready candidates with genuine employment opportunities across the construction sector.

You will also help our clients understand how Orchard’s recruitment services and employment initiatives can support their own social value commitments, particularly when delivering public-sector and community-focused projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Orchard’s social value strategy and action plan.

• Build relationships with construction clients, training providers, community organisations and employment-support partners.

• Engage with contractors to identify employment, work-placement and progression opportunities for people facing barriers to work.

• Support candidates as they move from training and work-readiness programmes into sustainable employment.

• Work with Orchard’s recruitment consultants to match candidates to suitable construction opportunities.

• Help clients demonstrate meaningful social value through local employment, skills development and community engagement.

• Contribute social value content to tenders, proposals, prequalification questionnaires and client presentations.

• Establish clear targets and measure outcomes such as employment starts, retention, training, local recruitment and community impact.

• Produce case studies and reports that demonstrate genuine, measurable results.

• Keep up to date with social value requirements, public-sector procurement expectations and construction industry best practice.

• Represent Orchard at client meetings, community events and relevant industry forums.

About You

We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience in a social value, community engagement, employability, skills or responsible-business role.

• Experience within construction, infrastructure, housing or a related sector.

• A good understanding of how social value is assessed and delivered through construction projects and public-sector contracts.

• Experience working with contractors, training providers, local authorities, employment services or community organisations.

• The ability to turn commitments into practical activities and measurable outcomes.

• Strong relationship-building, communication and presentation skills.

• Experience contributing to bids, tenders or social value submissions.

• Confidence working independently while collaborating with a small, close-knit team.

• A genuine passion for helping people into sustainable employment.

Knowledge of recognised social value measurement frameworks would be advantageous, but practical experience and the ability to deliver meaningful outcomes are more important.

What We Offer

• A flexible part-time position of up to three days per week.

• The opportunity to shape a developing role and influence Orchard’s wider social value strategy.

• Direct access to the company’s Directors and established construction-sector client base.

• The chance to create genuine employment opportunities for people who may otherwise struggle to enter the industry.

• A supportive, ethical and independently owned working environment.

• Competitive salary, pro rata and dependent on experience