Employability manager jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

Bid & Proposal Manager

Location: London

Salary: £44,000 - £48,000 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'. We achieve this in two ways. First we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Job Description

As a Bid and Proposal Manager, you will play a pivotal role in securing funding that enables Catch22 to deliver life-changing services across the UK. Working within a high-performing and collaborative Business Development team, you will lead the development of major public sector and grant funding opportunities, shaping innovative solutions that respond to complex social challenges and drive sustainable organisational growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of strategic growth, influencing service design, developing partnerships, and leading bids that have a direct impact on the communities we serve. You'll take ownership of high-profile opportunities while collaborating with colleagues across the organisation to maximise our success.

Your responsibilities will include:

· Leading complex public sector bids and grant funding proposals from assessment through to submission, securing significant income and strategic growth opportunities for Catch22.

· Managing end-to-end bid and proposal processes, delivering high-quality, compliant submissions within tight timescales and governance requirements.

· Developing compelling, high-scoring bid content and innovative, outcomes-focused solutions that respond effectively to commissioner and funder requirements.

· Bringing together operational leaders, external partners and subject matter experts to create credible, deliverable and commercially competitive service models.

· Conducting competitor analysis and bid strategy development to inform bid decisions and maximise win rates.

· Building and managing delivery partnerships that strengthen proposals, enhance service quality and deliver value for Catch22.

· Providing leadership and assurance throughout the bid lifecycle, ensuring effective governance, compliance and proactive risk management.

· Contributing to a culture of continuous improvement, championing innovation and adopting new approaches and technologies that enhance bid quality and team effectiveness.

Qualifications

We are looking for highly motivated, results-driven professional who brings:

· Proven experience leading successful high-value or complex bids, proposals or projects.

· Exceptional writing, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

· A track record of securing six-figure public sector contracts and/or grant funding.

· Experience developing service solutions and funding propositions with operational teams, partners and stakeholders, including facilitating workshops.

· Strong commercial awareness and a good understanding of the business development lifecycle.

· Knowledge of one or more of Catch22's core service areas, including education, justice, employability, health, or victims and exploitation services.

· Confidence using technology, CRM systems and data to improve performance and effectiveness.

· An undergraduate degree, project management qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.

· A commitment to inclusion, equity and belonging, fostering positive and respectful working relationships.

· Willingness to travel across the UK to engage with colleagues, partners, commissioners and sector stakeholders.

Additional Information

Flexibility: Fully remote role (UK based), or with access to our central London office
Application Deadline:  Wednesday 26th August 2026
Interviews: Thursday 10th and Friday 11th September

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

We aim to review applications as quickly as possible. However, due to the volume of interest we receive, we may not be able to contact all applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful this time.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Catch22, please do not hesitate to click apply. 

Location: Hybrid – Home-based with some regional travel in England

Reports to: Head of Programmes and Impact

Contract: Fixed-term/Temporary maternity cover, approx. 12-month secondment

Salary: £30,600 per annum

Application deadline: Thursday 27th August at 9am

Interview information: We plan to hold online interviews from week commencing 7th September

About The Girls’ Network:

The Girls' Network is a national charity with a mission to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a network of professional women role models and volunteer mentors. We believe no girl should have her future limited by her gender, ethnicity, background, or parental income. Our vision is a future where all girls are supported to realise their ambitions, discover their self-worth, and shape their own futures.

We partner with secondary schools and colleges across multiple regions in England, including London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands. We match girls aged 14–19 with trained volunteer mentors for one-to-one support. In addition to this core mentoring, workshops, and access to an Ambassador Community that provides continued opportunities for development, career support, and connection.

Role Summary:

The Programme Development Officer is responsible for ensuring that The Girls' Network develops high-quality, consistent, and impactful programmes for girls and young women across all regions. Working closely with the colleagues in the Programme team, volunteers, and education establishments, the post-holder will support the development and continuous improvement of our mentoring, workshop, and ambassador offer. They will ensure that programmes are grounded in best practice and aligned to organisational strategy. Key responsibilities include leading programme quality assurance, developing resources, and delivering staff and volunteer training, while embedding learning from delivery to strengthen outcomes.

Alongside programme development duties, the post-holder will also be a member of the safeguarding team, acting as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). In this capacity, they will support the organisation's commitment to providing safe and inclusive programmes to girls and young women. This role involves supporting delivery staff on day-to-day safeguarding issues, refining policies as required, carrying out risk assessments, and auditing procedures to guarantee that safeguarding frameworks are consistently understood, accurately recorded, and central to service delivery.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

Programme Development

• Support the development and continuous improvement of The Girls' Network's programme offer, ensuring delivery aligns with organisational strategy and responds to the needs of the girls and young women we serve.

• Develop and maintain programme standards, frameworks, and guidance to drive consistent, high-quality delivery across all regions.

• Take ownership of The Girls' Network volunteering platform, ensuring it effectively supports volunteer engagement and delivery.

• Ensure mentoring, workshops, and wider programme activities are aligned with The Girls' Network Theory of Change.

• Work collaboratively with the wider programme team to identify opportunities to strengthen and evolve programme delivery.

• Stay informed of sector research and emerging practice on mentoring, youth issues, and girls' empowerment, embedding relevant learning into programme design.

• Collaborate with the Head of Programmes & Impact to ensure programme development activity reflects both operational needs and strategic priorities.

Quality Assurance and Improvement

• Design and implement robust quality assurance processes that underpin excellence and consistency across programme delivery.

• Conduct programme reviews, fieldwork, and quality assurance activities, identifying strengths, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

• Work closely with the National Programme Manager to embed programme standards in day-to-day delivery and support the sharing of best practice across teams.

• Produce actionable recommendations and improvement plans to enhance programme effectiveness and operational delivery.

• Ensure programme resources, guidance, and delivery materials remain current, relevant, and aligned to organisational priorities.

• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement across programme delivery teams.

Programme Resources and Training

• Support the development, review, and maintenance of programme resources, workshop content, and mentoring materials.

• Design and deliver training, guidance, and support for programme staff and volunteers to enable effective and consistent delivery.

• Facilitate learning opportunities that build programme delivery capability across the organisation.

Safeguarding

• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and support the development, implementation, and regular review of safeguarding policies and procedures across the organisation.

• Act as a key point of contact for day-to-day safeguarding concerns, informing the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) or relevant statutory bodies of situations/outcomes

• Provide quality safeguarding advice and guidance to staff and volunteers as required.

• Manage and respond to safeguarding concerns, disclosures and referrals, ensuring accurate documentation and appropriate action is taken in line with statutory requirements and The Girls’ Network policies. Initiate and coordinate referrals to external agencies and services, ensuring follow-up actions are carried out and monitored

• Contribute to the delivery of safeguarding training and the promotion of best practice across the organisation

• Keep abreast of safeguarding practice, making recommendations as appropriate, to ensure compliance with statutory and organisational guidelines

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding legislation, emerging risks, and sector best practice.

• Collate and produce safeguarding reports, data, and narrative for Head of Programmes and Impact as/when required.

Note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties required.
 

Person Specification:

Essential

• Qualified teacher or experienced trainer, with a proven ability to design and deliver engaging learning programmes.

• Experience of developing, implementing, and improving youth, mentoring, education, or employability programmes.

• Experience of quality assurance, programme reviews, or service improvement activities.

• Experience developing resources, frameworks, guidance, or training materials.

• Experience using feedback, learning, and evaluation findings to inform programme development.

• Strong organisational and project management skills, including accurate record-keeping, case management, reporting and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across a wide range of internal and external partners.

• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, with a clear understanding of the barriers faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Strong knowledge of child and adult safeguarding legislation, risk assessment, statutory guidance, and best practice.

• Experience managing safeguarding disclosures and referrals, including liaison with statutory agencies (e.g., social care, police, safeguarding boards).

• Ability to handle sensitive and complex cases with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgement.

• Ability and willingness to travel across our regions, as/when required (travel expenses will be reimbursed).

Desirable

• A full, clean driving licence.

• Experience working within the charity, education, youth, or mentoring sectors.

• Experience developing youth participation and voice programmes.

• Experience designing and implementing quality assurance frameworks, including evaluation approaches focused on outcomes and engagement.

• Knowledge of social and emotional learning, employability, or youth development approaches.

• Experience facilitating training and professional development for staff or volunteers.

• Experience using digital platforms or developing digital resources to support learning, engagement or programme delivery.

• Understanding of charity sector governance and the specific safeguarding considerations when working with volunteers.

• Knowledge of current trends and best practice in mentoring, education, or youth development programmes.

How to apply

Please apply as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete your application by submitting your CV and answering a few application questions.

Appointees are subject to a DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK to apply.

The deadline to submit your application is 27th August at 9am. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Use of AI in applications

AI can be a helpful tool for inclusivity and accessibility, and we recognise that it may support applicants with spelling or grammar. However, when it comes to our selection process, what matters most to us is hearing your authentic voice and personal experiences. We're not looking for polished answers — just your own experiences, in your own words.

Diversity at our core

The Girls' Network is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination. In line with the Equality Act 2010, if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you with any stage of this recruitment process, please contact the HR team.

Our Benefits

• 27 holiday days per year, plus public holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)

• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave every year

• Gifted birthday leave

• 3 days volunteering leave per year

• Extended and comprehensive sick pay policy

• Enhanced Family Leave pay policy

• Pension scheme

• Annual professional development fund to help you grow

• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support

• Benefit from flexible, remote working options with a full suite of home office equipment.

• A dedicated Girls’ Network buddy, available beyond the induction period for ongoing support

Job description

Job Title:  Caseworker

Reports to: TBC

Line Reports: N/A

Location:  London/ Birmingham/ Manchester

Working Pattern: Flexible – hybrid; minimum 2 days a week from one of our offices

Starting Salary: London- £29000 (Salary band:£29,000 - £32,000); Outside London- £26500 (Salary band: £26,500 - £29,500 ) 

Hours:  37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening/weekend work (TOIL provided)

Contract:  Fixed Term

Language requirements: Fluency in English essential. 

Travel: Expectations of travel between BB locations for in person meetings and events

Overall purpose:

Breaking Barriers exists to support refugees and people from forced migration backgrounds into meaningful employment.

The Client Caseworker is integral to delivering that mission. Acting as a client’s primary point of support, you will lead and coordinate their progression toward employment — whether through language development, requalification, training or direct employability support.

This role requires someone who can take ownership of client journeys, drive forward action plans, and deliver both one-to-one and group-based support that moves clients closer to work. Caseworkers  may initially focus more heavily on one pathway area, but the role is designed to provide integrated, cross-programme support over time.

Collaboration across programme teams is essential to ensure clients experience seamless, joined-up services and consistent progression.  Your contributions are valued, and you can make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

Key responsibilities:

1. Client casework and support

• Manage a caseload of clients, providing structured one-to-one support in person and online.
• Conduct holistic assessments to understand clients’ qualifications, skills, language levels, aspirations and barriers.
• Co-create clear, outcome-focused action plans aligned to sustainable employment.
• Drive forward client progression across relevant pathways, including:
  • Employment readiness and job search
  • CV development, applications and interview preparation
  • Professional requalification and accreditation routes
  • English language progression
  • Sector-specific training or volunteering
• Deliver group sessions to help clients build knowledge and skills in a supportive peer-learning environment.
• Maintain regular contact to monitor progress, adjust support and maintain accountability.
• Identify and address barriers to progression, advocating where appropriate.
• Safeguard clients appropriately and escalate concerns in line with policy.
• Refer and signpost to additional support services where required.

2. Stakeholder and volunteer engagement

• Engage with stakeholders and partners to develop networks and identify job, training, education and work experience opportunities for clients.
• Support outreach initiatives by developing and maintaining relationships with partners (e.g. referral partners, training providers, employers and professional bodies)
• Advocate on behalf of clients to address specific barriers to employment or accreditation.
• Collaborate with colleagues responsible for employer and partner engagement to match clients to appropriate opportunities.
• Liaise with volunteers to source additional expertise and mentoring opportunities for clients.
• Represent Breaking Barriers at occasional events or meetings as required.

3. Monitoring, Reporting & Administration

• Maintain accurate, timely and detailed client records on the CRM system.
• Track and report on client progression against agreed milestones and KPIs.
• Ensure documentation and evidence are completed in line with reporting requirements.
• Complete enrolment and administrative processes efficiently.
• Support monitoring and evaluation processes to inform service improvement.

4. Cross-Organisational Collaboration & Integrated Working

• Work closely with colleagues across all functions to ensure seamless client journeys, aligning support, avoiding duplication and maintaining clarity of progression plans.
• Share knowledge of sector pathways, labour market developments and client trends to inform service development and team learning.
• Contribute to service development as the service redesign evolves. 
• Participate actively in team meetings, case reviews, reflective practice sessions, appraisals and inductions, contributing to strong team relationships and continuous service improvement.
• Take advantage of training and development opportunities to build new skills and share knowledge across teams.
• Foster a collaborative, solution-focused team culture.

Person specification:

Essential Criteria

Experience

· Experience providing one-to-one advice, guidance or support, ideally within employability, education, refugee support or a related field

· Experience delivering or co-facilitating group sessions, workshops or training.

· Experience working toward defined targets, outcomes or deadlines in a structured environment.

· Understanding of barriers faced by refugees and people from forced migration backgrounds in accessing employment.

· Experience maintaining accurate records, whether using a database, CRM or equivalent system.

· Understanding of safeguarding principles and how to respond appropriately to concerns.

Essential Skills & Abilities

· Ability to support people in planning and taking steps toward a goal, with clarity and follow-through.

· Comfortable facilitating groups and engaging diverse audiences.

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with people from varied backgrounds.

· Good organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

· Proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving.

· Clear written and verbal communication skills.

· Able to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners or stakeholders.

· Attention to detail and administrative accuracy.

· Adaptable and open to working in an evolving service environment.

Desirable Experience

· Lived experience of seeking sanctuary or forced migration to the UK.

· Experience in refugee support, employment services, education or a related field.

· Familiarity with UK labour market pathways, sector training routes or professional requalification processes.

· Experience working alongside volunteers, mentors or external partners.

· Ability to speak an additional language relevant to the client group.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to Breaking Barriers’ mission and values.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.
• Willingness to travel between offices and partner locations as required.
• Occasional evening or weekend work (TOIL provided)

If you meet most, but not all of the criteria, we’d still like to hear from you!

How to Apply

To apply for this role, please provide:

· A CV

· A written response of no more than 2 pages, illustrating 3 examples from your previous experience that demonstrate how you meet essential requirements for the role.

 Other considerations:

· As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include criminal record disclosure, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK

· Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully taken into account when deciding action

· We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief

· Breaking Barriers particularly welcomes applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background

· Some travel between our different areas of operation will be required.