Senior Youth Engagement and Careers Lead

Role Overview Role title: Senior Youth Engagement & Careers Lead Salary: £29,000 – £34,000 (dependent on experience) Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week Location: Kettering (80% office-based) Purpose of the role The Senior Youth Engagement & Careers Lead increases the reach, use and impact of Youth Employment UK’s careers and skills support for young people. The role focuses on promoting and embedding key products including Young Professional Online Courses and Virtual Work Experiences, while supporting development of new programmes. The postholder builds relationships with schools, colleges, youth organisations and partners, ensures youth voice is embedded, and maintains safeguarding standards. Outputs (what is delivered) The role increases engagement with careers and skills products through relationships with schools, colleges, youth organisations and partners, promoting resources and delivering presentations. The role manages the Youth Ambassador Programme, including recruitment, onboarding and ongoing engagement through monthly sessions and events. The role acts as Designated Safeguarding Lead, maintaining policies, systems and reporting, ensuring safeguarding and Prevent responsibilities are met. The role contributes to development of careers and skills programmes, informed by youth insight. Outcomes (what success looks like) Success is shown through increased numbers of young people accessing and using careers and skills products. Resources are actively and consistently used by schools, colleges and partners. The Youth Ambassador Programme is well-attended, with ambassadors contributing regularly, developing skills and reporting positive experiences. Safeguarding is compliant and embedded across all activity. Relationships with partners are strong and ongoing, supporting growth in engagement. Youth insight informs product development and organisational activity. Behaviours (how the work is done) The role requires a professional, organised approach to managing a varied workload. The postholder communicates clearly and confidently, including presenting to young people, educators and partners. The role works collaboratively across teams, ensuring youth engagement supports organisational priorities and youth voice is represented. Attitudes (ownership and judgement) The role requires ownership across product engagement, ambassador activity and safeguarding. The postholder manages their workload independently, prioritises effectively and delivers consistently. Sound judgement is required in safeguarding, stakeholder engagement and prioritisation. Risks and issues are identified early and escalated appropriately. Skills and experience Experience of working with young people and managing programmes or projects is required. Strong communication skills are essential. Experience in careers education, employability or programme design is important. Safeguarding experience is required, ideally at DSL level or with strong knowledge of practice. Ability to build relationships with schools, colleges and youth organisations is essential. Understanding of the education, skills and youth employment landscape is desirable. Working arrangements and benefits This role is based in Kettering with 80% office attendance. We offer a supportive environment and flexible working where possible. Benefits include annual leave, pension, wellbeing days, volunteering days and professional development. Additional benefits include on-site parking, office meals and team activities. Values Youth Employment UK is a professional, collaborative and purpose-driven organisation. All colleagues are expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, collaboration and a commitment to supporting young people and employers. Recruitment process Initial online interview (approx. 30 minutes), followed by a second-stage in-person interview with a task. Candidates will be informed of outcomes as soon as possible. Please let us know if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage.