27 Employability manager jobs in East of England

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 68% of clients secure a job, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

In 2025 we launched our new 5-year strategy- we are aiming to build a future where every woman, at any stage of her career, can access trusted, personalised support to secure employment. We aspire to be local in feel, national in reach, shaped by the voices of women, valuing every story and every success.

About the Role

The South London Centre Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day management, smooth running and development of the South London centre and Smart Works service in Croydon.

They will oversee the delivery of a high-quality Smart Works service, to include managing centre operations, leading and supporting the volunteer community, and building strong relationships with local partners and stakeholders, to ensure that Smart Works is well-embedded in the South London community.

The Centre Manager will be a highly organised and proactive individual who enjoys making things happen. They will be equally comfortable managing the practical running of a busy public-facing centre, supporting clients and volunteers, representing Smart Works externally and identifying opportunities to grow the service.

They will be a natural relationship builder who is able to create a vibrant, friendly and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.

The role would be based in the South London centre, and there will be occasional evening and weekend work for which staff are awarded TOIL. There will also be an expectation that this role may need to visit other Smart Works London centres or travel for outreach events and activities throughout the city.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and a cover letter which answers the following questions by 29th September at 5pm. Your application should be addressed to Fiona Hollow, Head of London Service Delivery

• Why do you want to work for Smart Works? (Max 250 words)
• How will you create a positive atmosphere and environment for clients, volunteers and staff members in our South London centre? (Max 250 words)
• Tell us about a time you have worked effectively in a team to solve a problem. (Max 250 words)

1st round interviews will take place on Monday 5th October and will be virtual. If you are unable to attend a virtual interview for any reason, please let us know to discuss another arrangement.2nd round interviews will take place on Friday 9th October and will be in person in Croydon.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alterations for the application and recruitmentprocesses, please reach out to us.

Smart Works is committed to best practice employment practices, including reducing the burden for those seeking work. Smart Works will therefore reimburse reasonable costs of travel to interviews if required.

The Switch Charity is looking for a dynamic, organised person with experience and a passion for supporting young people. Our Project Coordinator role is key to the success of our mission, helping prepare for, deliver, and evaluate our employability activities that help raise young people’s career aspirations.

You will be pivotal in the successful preparation, delivery and evaluation of our career development activities and  programmes. You will coordinate projects with our schools and sixth form colleges, communicating with a range of stakeholders including school staff, students and business volunteers. You will help ensure the smooth running of our programme delivery work and demonstrate the positive impact our charity has on thousands of young people in Tower Hamlets every year.

You will see our young people grow before your eyes and be contributing to their better future.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

 1. To support the successful delivery of projects, activities and events, through the successful management of event logistics, communications, and resource preparation. Projects, activities and events include: Primary School Financial Literacy workshops, Core Programmes for Key Stages 3 to 5, Industry Insight Days, Bespoke Workplace visits, Mentoring and Future Skills.

2. Liaise with volunteers, external facilitators, school administrative and teaching staff on school projects as needed, in the pre- and post-event stage.

3. Attend in-person events in the borough (in both schools and workplaces) to assist with delivery, volunteer management and event logistics.

4. Compile data and reports on business and volunteer activity as directed by the Senior Project Manager on the Secondary Team. Work with the wider team to produce annual impact reports and volunteer data reports on specific projects, highlighting key achievements and areas for improvement.

5. The post has specific responsibility for the areas outlined in this document. These areas may change as the nature of projects or funding changes over time.

 Please refer to the full Job Description for a detailed description of the job.

What is it like to work for us?

As a small charity we are able to provide a great work-life balance with early finishes on Fridays, Christmas shut down, training opportunities, a friendly office near Spitalfields, and a cash-back health plan.

This role is predominantly office based. You would work in the office or at an event location in East London usually 4 days per week. You would usually be able to WFH one day per week, typically Fridays.

To support our colleagues we ensure that we always pay the London Living Wage, and we also offer a £500 travel bursary with this role on top of the salary, to support high London working costs.

About the Role

This Project Officer role is part of Bright Futures, our mentoring and employability support programme for young Gypsy and Traveller people aged 15-25. You will keep the programme organised, connected and running smoothly - managing records and systems, building partnerships, and coordinating workshops and activities so that young people can find their way in and get the most out of the support on offer.

Many of the young people we work with have faced exclusion or discrimination within mainstream education, employment and other services, and are often not in education, employment or training (NEET). The processes, systems and communications you manage all need to be accessible and responsive to young people who may be wary of formal support.

You will coordinate outreach and community engagement to bring young people into the programme, build and maintain relationships with colleges, training providers, employers and community organisations, and manage day-to-day communications with young people, families and partners. You will set up and coordinate a Youth Advisory Group, giving young people a structured way to help shape the programme. You may also be asked to cover for mentee support when a mentor is unavailable or at capacity.

This role is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

About You

This role is for someone who enjoys keeping things organised and connected, and who wants that work to make a real, practical difference in young people's lives – someone committed to supporting young people from marginalised and underserved communities to fairly access relevant opportunities.

You will be highly organised, with strong admin skills and confidence using digital tools and databases. You will also be a confident communicator, equally comfortable writing a promotional post, following up with a training provider, or having a conversation with a young person or their family.

The role is ideal for someone with experience of outreach, building partnerships or community engagement, who can build trusting relationships with a wide range of people – from young people and families to colleges, employers and community organisations. You should be open to providing support to young people when needed.

We don't expect you to already have all the answers what matters most is your admin and organisational ability, your commitment to the communities we work with, and your confidence building relationships across a wide range of people and settings. We will support your development through supervision, training and a small, collaborative team environment.

We know not everyone will meet every requirement in the job description below, but if you feel you have what it takes, please apply and tell us how your experience and skills make you suitable.

If you are not sure what the work looks like or you want to ask questions before applying, we are happy to chat with you about the role. Please contact Mini Ravi (Programme Lead) by calling on our office phone.

About LGT and Bright Futures

London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT) challenges social exclusion and discrimination, working for change in partnership with Gypsy and Traveller communities living on council caravan sites, roadside camps, in flats and houses, and those experiencing homelessness.

Bright Futures supports Gypsy and Traveller young men and women aged 15–25 through mentoring, skills development, employability and wellbeing support. The programme helps young people build confidence, develop practical skills and identify realistic pathways into training and employment, working at their own pace and around their needs and interests. The programme is shaped by a deep understanding of the Gypsy and Traveller culture, and designed to empower young people to engage with wider society with pride, motivation and confidence.

Our services also include accommodation advice and advocacy, family support, community development, research, policy work and campaigns, and we support hundreds of individuals and families each year.

We are a small, committed and supportive team who seek to live our organisational values throughout our work: Collaboration, Courage, Empowerment, Inclusivity, Equity, Community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and workforce diversity. We strongly encourage applications from Gypsy and Traveller communities.
 

To Apply

Review the responsibilities and person specification in the job description enclosed.

Using the ‘Apply Now’ button, please submit your CV

Instead of a cover letter, please submit answers to the following 3 questions in the space provided when you apply.

1. Briefly tell us about your experience of providing admin and coordination work. What exactly did you do and what tools or systems did you use?

2. What is one of the barriers that young people from vulnerable or marginalised backgrounds face around education, training and work? Why?

3. Why are you interested in this role and working with London Gypsies & Travellers?

250-300 word answers for each question is enough, but you are welcome to write more.

There is no right answer and we are not interested in perfect responses. We want to know about you and the knowledge, skills, and experience your will bring to the role.

Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 2026

Interviews: Tuesday 20th October (in person), Tuesday 27th October (potential stage 2, online)

Please check you are available on these dates before applying, in case you are shortlisted for interviews.

Please note: An enhanced DBS check is required for the role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

About the Role

This Youth Development Mentor for young men is part of Bright Futures, our mentoring and employability support programme for young Gypsy and Traveller people aged 15-25. You will build trusted, consistent 1-1 mentoring relationships with young men, supporting them to grow in confidence, work out what they want, and build the skills to get there.

You will deliver the programme's set mentoring offer, adapting your approach to individuals as needed, alongside group sessions on skills and personal development. Many of the young men we work with have had negative experiences of school or other services and are often not in education, employment or training (NEET). The role is about helping the young men move forward at a pace that works for them, towards something they've chosen and can stick with, rather than pushing them down a set route. You will keep detailed records of progress and milestones reached.

You will also play a role in outreach and community engagement – building relationships with families and community members. This includes keeping up good working relationships with colleges, training providers and employers, and making sure young people's voices are heard, both within Bright Futures and externally.

This role is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

About You

This role is for someone who wants to make a real difference in young people's lives – someone committed to supporting young men from marginalised and underserved communities to get equitable access to opportunities, and to helping bring about wider change for those communities.

You will enjoy the challenge of working with young men who may take time to trust and engage, and see that as part of what makes the role rewarding.

The role is ideal for someone with experience of mentoring, youth work or a similar community-based role working with young men (paid or voluntary). Someone patient, non-judgemental and comfortable adapting support to suit the person in front of you. You will be just as comfortable speaking to family members as with college staff or social services.

We don't expect you to already have all the answers – what matters most is your commitment and ability to build genuine, trusting relationships and to keep going with young people who may take time to open up. We will support your development through supervision, training and a small, collaborative team environment.

We know not everyone will meet every requirement in the job description below, but if you feel you have what it takes, please apply and tell us how your experience and skills make you suitable.

If you are not sure what the work looks like or you want to ask questions before applying, we are happy to chat with you about the role. Please contact Mini Ravi (Programme Lead) by calling our office phone.

About LGT and Bright Futures

London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT) challenges social exclusion and discrimination, working for change in partnership with Gypsy and Traveller communities living on council caravan sites, roadside camps, in flats and houses, and those experiencing homelessness.

Bright Futures supports Gypsy and Traveller young men and women aged 15–25 through mentoring, skills development, employability and wellbeing support. The programme helps young people build confidence, develop practical skills and identify realistic pathways into training and employment, working at their own pace and around their needs and interests. The programme is shaped by a deep understanding of the Gypsy and Traveller culture, and designed to empower young people to engage with wider society with pride, motivation and confidence.

Our services also include accommodation advice and advocacy, family support, community development, research, policy work and campaigns, and we support hundreds of individuals and families each year.

We are a small, committed and supportive team who seek to live our organisational values throughout our work: Collaboration, Courage, Empowerment, Inclusivity, Equity, Community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and workforce diversity. We strongly encourage applications from Gypsy and Traveller communities.
 

To Apply

Review the responsibilities and person specification in the job description enclosed.

Using the ‘Apply Now’ button, please submit your CV

Instead of a cover letter, please submit answers to the following 3 questions in the space provided when you apply.

1. Briefly tell us about your experience of working with young men/people. What did you do and what kind of support did you provide?

2. What is one of the barriers young men from vulnerable or marginalised backgrounds face around education, training and work? Why?

3. Why are you interested in this role and working with London Gypsies & Travellers?

250-300 word answers for each question is enough, but you are welcome to write more.

There is no right answer and we are not interested in perfect responses. We want to know about you and the knowledge, skills, and experience your will bring to the role.

Closing date: Wednesday 30th September 2026

Interviews: Wednesday 14th October (stage 1, in person), Thursday 22nd October (stage 2, online)

Please check you are available on these dates before applying, in case you are shortlisted for interviews.

Please note: An enhanced DBS check is required for the role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

The Longford Trust supports young serving and former prisoners to go to university. We aim to level the playing field between our graduates and every other recent graduate in Britain so that all have an equal chance of landing fulfilling graduate employment as a first step on the career ladder.  The cost and hard work of a degree is accepted by those we support in the hope that it will open up well-paid job opportunities that would not have been available had they not taken out the student loan to get a degree.  This is taken for granted by students who haven’t been to prison. Why should those who have been working just as hard, if not harder, and taken on the same debts, not expect a similar chance?

We are looking for a part-time Employability Manager to join our small team, to help us achieve this.

Senior Youth Worker, Employability and Enterprise

We are seeking a Senior Youth Worker to build and lead an employability and enterprise programme, creating meaningful opportunities and pathways for young people.

Position: Senior Youth Worker, Employability and Enterprise
Salary: £31,000 to £33,000 per annum, depending on experience
Location: Edgware, London
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, including regular evenings and weekend work

Contract: Fixed term for one year. This is a funded position and the aim is to extend the term of employment if funding is renewed
Closing date: 9th October 2026

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to build, develop and lead an Employability and Enterprise programme for young people aged 13 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs.

You will develop a mix of universal and targeted activities, helping young people explore their aspirations, build practical skills and progress towards employment, education, training, volunteering and enterprise.

Enterprise will form an important part of the programme, including engaging younger members aged 13 to 15 through practical projects, enterprise challenges and activities that develop confidence, teamwork, problem-solving and business skills.

A key responsibility will be establishing and leading a daytime targeted NEET programme for young people who are not in education, employment or training, are at risk of becoming NEET, or face barriers to progression. You will provide one-to-one and small-group support and help young people identify meaningful next steps.

You will also build employer and corporate partnerships that lead to genuine opportunities, including work experience, mentoring, workplace visits, employer-led workshops and career insight sessions.

As a Senior Youth Worker, you will also:

• Act as Session Lead or Duty Manager when required
• Support the smooth running of wider youth sessions
• Act as a Senior Safeguarding Practitioner, responding appropriately to concerns
• Support positive behaviour and restorative approaches
• Build trusted relationships with young people
• Monitor engagement, progression and programme outcomes

About you

You will have substantial youth work experience and experience of leading activities and managing projects. You will understand employability and education, employment and training pathways and be confident developing a programme rather than simply delivering an established service.

You will be an excellent communicator who can engage young people from different backgrounds, including those facing barriers to education or employment.

You will also bring strong safeguarding awareness, organisational skills and the ability to develop effective relationships with employers and external partners.

About the organisation

You will join a vibrant youth organisation committed to raising young people's aspirations and creating opportunities for them to thrive.

The organisation provides a safe and inclusive environment where young people can access activities, support and positive relationships.

The role requires flexibility, including regular evenings and approximately one weekend session per month. An enhanced DBS check is required.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Senior Youth Worker, Youth Employability Lead, Employability Programme Lead, Youth Programme Lead, Youth Worker, Youth Employment Adviser, NEET Support Worker, Employability Officer, Youth Engagement Officer, Employment and Training Officer. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People.

Providence Row works with people experiencing homelessness and insecure housing in East London. We provide integrated support across crisis intervention, advice, health, substance use, volunteering, learning and training.

Our work is grounded in compassion, respect, inclusiveness, empowerment and justice. We aim to ensure that people can access the support and opportunities they need to build greater safety, stability and independence.

About the Progression & Training Service

The Progression & Training Service supports clients to identify and take practical steps towards learning, volunteering, training and employment. Through one-to-one coaching, group learning, digital inclusion, vocational training and partnerships with external organisations, the service helps clients build skills, confidence and access to meaningful progression opportunities.

The service works closely with Providence Row’s wider teams, including Catering Training, Gardening, Volunteering, Health Inclusion and Advice and Support, to provide coordinated pathways that reflect each client’s goals, strengths and circumstances.

Role purpose

The Progression & Training Manager is responsible for the leadership, quality, performance and development of the service.

The postholder will lead the team, oversee client progression pathways, maintain strong partnerships and ensure that the service delivers high-quality, trauma-informed and strengths-based support. They will also be responsible for performance monitoring, reporting, safeguarding, service improvement and the effective use of resources.

Key Responsibilities

• Service leadership and people management
• Client support and service quality
• Learning, progression and employment pathways
• Performance, data and reporting
• Safeguarding, risk and operational compliance
• Service development, partnerships and resources

Benefits

• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to shopping discounts
• Learning & development opportunities
• Monthly reflective practice

To apply:  Please upload your CV with a covering letter, detailing how you meet the job specification. CV’s without a covering letter will not be considered.

Research shows some people, especially women and marginalised groups, may hesitate to apply unless they match all the criteria. However, we want to assure everyone that we encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of whether they fulfil every point in the job description. Your unique perspective matters to us – please apply with confidence.

Interviews
Please note that we may interview on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications.

Providence Row is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales; company number 07452798 registered charity number 1140192.

Earliest Start Date: 2nd November 2026

Contract: 12 Months with Potential for Exentension

Job Title: Known internally as "Key Work Manager (Maternity Cover)"

Location: 30 Petworth Street, Battersea, SW11 4QW. The post will also involve working in the community so some local travel will be required.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, including some evening & occasional weekend work

About the Role

As Key Work Manager you will lead on and oversee all Key Work activity at Carney’s Community. This includes undertaking key work yourself on a one to one basis with young people involved in the criminal justice system as well as managing a small team of key workers.

You will provide advice, practical support and befriending to a caseload of participants, aged 11-30, who are at risk of/involved in offending; to encourage and enable them to participate in Carney’s Community’s personal development opportunities and to access the wider services and support they may need in order to give them the best chances of being “the best they can be”. This will involve supporting young people to engage in positive and constructive activities, attend Youth Justice Service or Probation appointments and creating opportunities for their personal, social and emotional development

You will work alongside the employment support manager to plan and deliver the employment group, supporting participants that attend this group and leading specific employment programmes. As manager of the key work project you will oversee the small team of key workers, provide support, guidance and supervision. You will be involved in monitoring and reporting for the project, collecting feedback from participants. You will manage referrals to the project from other organisations including schools, social services, probation and the youth justice service.

About You:

You must have proven experience of working directly with young people in a youth work or key work setting, providing one to one support. You will have the ability to empathise and mediate for young people, a strong understanding of the local area, barriers facing young people, the interplay between material disadvantage, vulnerability and social exclusion and be highly skilled in diplomacy, professional distance, demonstrating empathy, boundaries and sound judgement. You will have experience managing other staff or volunteers.

About Carney’s Community

We support young people living in and around Wandsworth, targeting ages 11-30 facing extreme challenges including criminal justice system involvement or care experience. Carney’s works differently by providing long-term, consistent, unconditional support with empathy; a safe space and activities including boxing, bike workshops, employment support, studio sessions, mentoring and key work. Inspired by boxing legend Mick Carney, the charity was founded in his name after his passing in 2011, building on work led by our co-founders. We aim to create a “virtuous cycle”: while support is free of charge, we ask that when young people are ready, they channel the positivity they have received into others. As a result, many go on to volunteer, mentor, join our staff team or even set up their own community initiatives. Former participants make up the majority of our workforce. They provide the most authentic role models, people who genuinely understand the challenges our young people face and who show what is possible. For our young people we strive for equality and aim to: Improve Physical and Mental Health; Improve Education, Skills and Employability; Improve Community Engagement; Reduce Offending and Reoffending.

We are seeking a confident, experienced and motivated Fundraising Manager to join our team! 

Our Organisation 

SLRA is a frontline community organisation established in 1991 which supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in crisis in South London. We provide specialist legal advice and holistic casework to enable people to regularise their immigration status, access rights and entitlements and move on from destitution. Every year we provide support directly to over 1000 migrants in the London Boroughs of Lambeth, Merton, Croydon, Wandsworth, Southwark and beyond. Our support gives marginalised people access to justice and the opportunity to build a safe, stable and positive future. 

The Role 

This is a key role in ensuring that we continue to secure the resources we need to provide our vital services and activities for refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants in South London. As Fundraising Manager for SLRA, you will play a pivotal role in implementing our fundraising strategy, building relationships with donors and exceeding fundraising goals. We are predominantly funded by Trusts and Foundations and you will be responsible for maintaining and expanding this funder base, while helping to diversify our income streams in order to ensure that established services and activities are sustained. 

If you have substantial experience of building relationships and securing funds from Trusts and Foundations, and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by small, local voluntary organisations we would love to hear from you! 

Closing date: Monday 21st September at 9am (please note that we will close the advert early if enough strong applications are received, so please apply promptly) 

First stage interviews online: Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th September 

Second stage in person: Friday 2nd October

As an organisation working with migrants, we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of the impact of the UK immigration or asylum system. We guarantee an interview for all applicants with lived experience who meet the essential criteria for this post. 

ReachOut is a youth development charity and a strategic partner for schools. Through collective mentoring and engaging activities, we build socio-emotional skills that transform outcomes for young people constrained by circumstance. 

The Schools & Universities Partnerships Manager will lead the development, growth, and management of ReachOut’s partnerships with schools, multi-academy trusts, and universities.

This new role is central to delivering ReachOut’s strategy to expand our reach, increase income, and deepen our impact for young people constrained by circumstance. Reporting to the CEO and sitting within the Income & Partnerships Team, the postholder will work closely with colleagues across Programmes & Impact and Volunteering.

The role is responsible for building a strong pipeline of partners, securing sustainable funding, and managing existing relationships to ensure mutual value. Through both new and established partnerships, the postholder will support ReachOut’s mission while helping schools and universities achieve their own strategic objectives.

Who we are looking for

• An ambitious, proactive fundraiser with the ability to develop, deliver, and grow long-term partnerships with schools and universities across London, Manchester, and new locations in line with ReachOut's strategy.
• A confident communicator who thrives in a small, collaborative organisation and can build strong relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders across multiple departments and sectors.
• Someone who can work autonomously, manage competing priorities, and identify opportunities to generate income, raise our profile and increase impact.

How to Apply

• To apply please visit our website.
• We are unable to provide visa sponsorship. To apply for the role you must have the right to work in the UK.

Key Dates

• Applications close: 9am on Friday 18th September 2026
• Interviews (in person in London or Manchester): Wednesday 23rd September 2026 
• Start Date: ASAP

If the date for interviews causes any issues, please still apply and let us know in your email as we may be able to be flexible on the interview arrangements.

Please note: the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service. ReachOut will cover the cost of the check and guide you through the process. All staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults. The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

ReachOut is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation. We therefore welcome applications from people of all ethnicities, ages, religious beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations and any other protected characteristics, to provide a diverse range of experiences, ideas and insights into our work. ReachOut wants to increase the representation of our young people amongst our staff, so if you are from these ethnic groups, we would particularly appreciate receiving your applications.

At One YMCA, we work alongside young people to help them develop confidence, skills, resilience, and positive futures. We are looking for an inspiring, experienced and motivated Youth Work Manager to lead and develop our local youth work provision, ensuring that high-quality, impactful services reach young people across our communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering our Youth Work Strategy, managing a dedicated team, driving quality and developing services that make a real difference in the lives of young people.

About the role:

Reporting to the Head of Youth Work, you will take operational responsibility for the delivery, development, monitoring, and quality assurance of our youth work services. You will lead and support Youth Work Coordinators and wider youth work staff, ensuring services are safe, effective, youth-centred, and aligned with One YMCA's strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of youth work programmes, specialist support services, mentoring initiatives, life skills courses, and large-scale youth events.
• Managing and supporting staff through recruitment, induction, supervision, training, and performance development.
• Monitoring contract performance, outcomes, impact data, and key performance indicators to demonstrate the difference our services make.
• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, safeguarding, and continuous improvement across the service.
• Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and participating in the safeguarding on-call rota.
• Working with young people and teams to ensure youth voice is at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership, experience in managing contractual compliance, with a genuine commitment to young people.

You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering and managing youth work programmes, projects, or contracts.
• A strong understanding of issues affecting young people's lives and a passion for helping them achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience leading, motivating, and developing staff teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and partnership-working skills.
• The ability to analyse data, monitor impact, and use insight to improve services.
• A youth work or related community-focused qualification at degree level, or significant equivalent experience.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Location: Home-based role but with regular travel to YMCA youth work delivery sites across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, as well as to support the broader youth work within One YMCA. 

Driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

If you are an experienced youth work leader ready for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you! 

Important: Please include a supporting statement with your application/CV.

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday but with flexibility of working pattern to support both the ideal candidate and business need. Some evening work expected, and occasional weekend, overnight stays or residential work.

Each year Youth Careers Collective works with more than 6000 young people and we are supported by over 1000 employer volunteers, who take part in employer engagement events, careers and employability skills workshops, work experiences placements and one-to-one career mentoring.

The Youth and Volunteer Engagement Manager is a new role at Youth Careers Collective, establishing an active and well-supported alumni community, empowering our Youth Board, and actively engaging with and managing our wide network of Young Associates and volunteers.

This is an important and dynamic role in our team, seeking to develop deeper and more impactful relationships across our community.

To work effectively with these various stakeholders, you will be a natural relationship builder and an empathetic individual, with an understanding of different needs, extremely organised, able to identify opportunities and respond flexibly to change.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Experience

• Three years or more experience of working within a purpose-led organisation, such as a charity or social enterprise.
• Three years or more experience of working directly with and supporting young people (aged 16 to 24), ideally including young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Experience and understanding of how best to support inclusion and participation of young people with lived experience, alongside demonstrable experience of engaging and building productive relationships with marginalised and disconnected young people.
• Experience of working with and supporting diverse volunteers; driving recruitment, engagement and retention.
• Experience of designing and facilitating engaging and dynamic events, activities, learning and development opportunities, with and for young people and volunteers.
• Experience of managing and improving organisation wide systems and processes.
• A background and experience in one or more of the following disciplines:
  • Youth work
  • Training and facilitation
  • Careers and employability
  • Education
  • Personal and professional development

Skills

• Adept and enthusiastic relationship builder, with the ability to engage and energise others, including with marginalised young people.
• Good communication skills, able to speak confidently with young people, volunteers, and senior professionals.
• Very organised, with an attention to detail, excellent time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong IT proficiency, including the use of Excel and CRMs.
• Confident and effective at using a range of tools to support planning and project management.
• Able to create clear, professional and accessible resources and tools.
• Able to understand and explain complex concepts in a straight-forward and accessible manner.
• Able to self-manage, staying efficient and motivated and on task.
• Able to operate in a fast-paced environment without compromising on accuracy or quality.

Attitude

• Passionate and enthusiastic about improving young people’s lives.
• Highly motivated and energetic.
• Can take initiative and is comfortable working independently
• Thrives in a busy and fast-paced working environment.
• Positive and solution-focussed, able to maintain a positive approach to problem solving.
• Self-assured, with a ‘can-do’ approach.
• Welcomes feedback, with a desire to continuously improve and develop.
• A commitment to our organisation values of; empowerment, collaboration, reliability, quality and learning.

WHAT WE OFFER

• £36,230 per annum

• 28 days leave (inc. 3 days between Christmas and New Year)

• 2 volunteering days

• 1 life event day

• Matched pension contributions (up to 6%)

• Flexible working (our core business hours are 10am to 3pm)

• Life insurance (5 x annual salary)

• Canada Life WeCare employee support package

Business Development Manager

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Contract: Fixed Term 12 months

Salary: £40k per annum

Reporting to: Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships

Youth Business International is a global network supporting young entrepreneurs to start, grow and sustain successful businesses. We bring together organisations around the world to deliver practical support, share expertise and create opportunities for young people to thrive.

We are looking for an ambitious Business Development Manager to help us grow and diversify our income and build new, long-term funding partnerships.

Working closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, you will play a central role in identifying new opportunities across trusts and foundations, corporate partners and major donors.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in fundraising, business development or partnership development, particularly in generating new opportunities and managing a pipeline through to successful outcomes.

If this sounds like you, you can find the full information in the job pack and we look forward to receiving your application.

To apply

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THE CORRECT ROLE YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AS WE HAVE TWO ROLES CURRENTLY LIVE.

• Please submit your CV (maximum 2 x A4) and a cover letter (max 2 pages).  Your cover letter must address how you meet the person specification.
• You must ensure that these documents clearly demonstrate the expertise, skills, experience and competencies required for this role as they will be used to shortlist you.
• Closing date: Midnight 20th September 2026.
• Please note you must have an existing right to work in the UK as YBI is not able to sponsor visas.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background” - Shereen El-Shennawy, CEO, Inspire.

Are you driven by a passion for enhancing social mobility and supporting the futures of young people?

Do you have a practical understanding of work experience placements with a background leading teams and managing and developing services?

Hire Purpose is proud to lead the search to appoint a Head of Work Experience who will join Inspire in an established position that will positively impact the lives of thousands of young people across London.

And creating ‘impact’ is central to how Inspire deliver their programmes. Between 2024-25 alone, the charity enabled nearly 5,000 in person Work Experience placements, working with over 1,000 employers across their business partner network.

You can take a full look at their 2024-25 Impact Report here.

Salary: £33,438 (£41,797.40 FTE)

Start date: October / November 2026

Reporting to: Head of Programmes & Impact

Contract: Permanent. Part-time (0.8), spread across 4 or 5 days

Hybrid: Minimum 2 days pw at E15 2NH, 3 days remote.

As a key member of Inspire’s Senior Management Team you will be responsible for leading the delivery and continued development of their Work Experience service, ensuring high-quality, financially well-managed and compliant services that respond to the needs of young people, schools, employers and partners.

Crucially, this role requires an experienced people manager with excellent skills across stakeholder engagement, decision making, and attention to detail.

You will be responsible for:

• Overseeing service performance, resources and employer engagement to ensure programmes are well-run, compliant and responsive to young people and partners.
• Leading, developing, and supporting an experienced and capable Work Experience team, ensuring their accountable and high-performing culture continues to thrive.
• Representing Inspire externally, building productive, lasting relationships with key stakeholders including employers, schools, local authorities, funders and community partners, while also managing expectations and resolving issues swiftly.
• Leading the delivery of safe, inclusive and high-quality Work Experience programmes that build young people’s skills, confidence and employability.
• Managing budgets, as well as income and expenditure to ensure programmes are financially sustainable and deliver a return on investment.
• Fulfilling all duties in accordance with Inspire’s policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Equality, GDPR and financial controls.

A full list of duties can be found within the Job Description via Hire Purpose's careers page.

This is a highly rewarding opportunity to shape Inspire’s wider strategic direction, drive continuous improvements across the Work Experience service, and identify opportunities to expand and strengthen the provision of services and how customer relationships are developed.

Therefore, the Head of Work Experience must have:

• Practical understanding of Work Experience programmes and services for young people, alongside a genuine commitment to improving their opportunities and outcomes.
• Proven experience of leading, supporting and developing teams, creating clear expectations while ensuring consistently high standards.
• Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills, with an ability to build productive partnerships with employers and other external organisations.
• Experience of managing services, programmes or contracts, including budgets, performance information and delivery against agreed standards and deadlines.
• Robust knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, data protection, as well as the sound judgement and attention to detail needed to deliver safe and compliant services.

We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, underpinned by a sharp focus on process and data-informed decision-making, and who will importantly keep up to date with legislative and policy change.

Hire Purpose champions inclusive recruitment.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We uphold equal opportunity principles and challenge bias at every stage, partnering only with organisations that share our commitment to integrity, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Hire Purpose is also proud to be an active member of The TEAM Network, the UK’s largest recruitment community of independently owned recruitment businesses.