Employability manager jobs in East of england

Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Organisation: The Skill Mill
Location: Remote, with expectations to travel to Gateshead and occasional travel to other UK locations
Salary: £45,000 pa 
Contract Type: 2 years fixed term contract, Full-Time
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Job Purpose:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a pivotal role in driving the operational success of The Skill Mill. Working closely with the CEO, the COO will oversee day-to-day operations through line-management of the 3 regional Operations Managers, will ensure the delivery of exceptional services, and will support the growth of our social enterprise model across the UK and beyond. This is a strategic leadership position, requiring a dynamic individual with a passion for social impact, operational excellence, and business development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all operational functions, including service delivery, project management, and workforce coordination, ensuring high standards and client satisfaction.

• Strategic Growth: Collaborate with the CEO to develop and implement expansion plans, identifying new partnerships, contracts, and opportunities to scale The Skill Mill’s impact, ensuring operational readiness and quality as the organisation scales.

• Team Management: Lead, motivate, and develop The Skill Mill’s operational delivery teams (see attached structure chart), including the Operations Managers, the Pathway Advisors, and the Supervisors, fostering a culture of inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement. Lead workforce planning, staff development and wellbeing to ensure a sustainable, motivated and resilient workforce.

• Financial Oversight: Work with the finance team to manage budgets, monitor performance against targets, and ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining quality.

• Governance: Supporting organisation and partnership governance by contributing to papers, risk registers and performance reports, engaging in solution-focused discussion at relevant forums, and ensuring feedback loops with operational delivery teams.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities, commercial clients, criminal justice partners, and community organisations.

• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all activities comply with legal, regulatory, and health and safety standards, mitigating risks effectively and escalating through appropriate organisational and legal pathways where necessary.

• Safeguarding: Act as senior lead and an initial escalation point for safeguarding, ensuring robust policies, training, reporting and continuous improvement.

• Impact:

         - Measurement: Monitor and report on social and environmental outcomes, ensuring alignment with The Skill Mill’s mission and funding requirements.

         - Performance: Work alongside partners, including Social Outcomes, evaluation and funding partners to drive performance in line with key success milestones, and engage in collaborative problem-solving to improve the offer and overcome challenges.

         - Quality Assurance: Contribute to organisational quality assurance processes by providing operational insight to support effective monitoring and review. Facilitate and support quality assurance audits, reviews and continuous improvement practices across operational delivery, working closely with operational delivery teams and relevant partners to ensure learning is embedded and service standards are consistently met.

• Innovation: Drive operational efficiencies and explore innovative approaches to service delivery and trainee support.
   

Person Specification:
Experience:

• An understanding of, and sensitivity to, working with vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.

Skills and Abilities:

• A values-led approach to strategy, with the ability to balance social impact, quality, and financial sustainability in strategic and operational decision-making.

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with a collaborative and empowering approach.

• Confident in using insights from performance data and information to drive continuous improvement

• A clear, confident and inclusive communication style, with the ability to engage, motivate and align within the organisation and externally

• A collaborative approach to partnership working, with the ability to navigate differing priorities and build trusted relationships across sectors/ stakeholders.

• Proficiency in working with digital tools that support operational efficiency (e.g., CRMs, project management software, Microsoft Office/Google Suite)

• Ability to translate organisational strategy into actionable operational plans
  ​

Personal Attributes:​

• Passionate about social justice, youth development, and environmental sustainability

• Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

• Commitment to The Skill Mill’s values of opportunity, integrity, and excellence.
  ​

What We Offer:​

• The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people and the environment.

• A supportive and purpose-driven work environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth as part of a growing social enterprise.
   

Essential Requirements:

Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience in managing operations, ideally within criminal justice or a social enterprise, charity, or environmental services sector.

• Demonstrable ability to lead and manage complex operational delivery in multiple geographical areas, ensuring quality and consistency across teams.

• Demonstrable success in growing an organisation or enhancing service delivery, including securing contracts and partnerships.

• Experience managing diverse teams in a hybrid work environment

• Experience of working effectively with external partners, including commissioners, criminal justice agencies and/or commercial organisations.
   

Skills and Abilities:

• Analytical mindset with experience in budgeting, performance monitoring, and process improvement.
   

Qualifications and Certifications:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification (e.g., business management, operations, or social enterprise leadership) is preferred but not essential.

• Enhanced DBS check is required.

About The Skill Mill:

The Skill Mill is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.

The Skill Mill is an innovative social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and communities. We provide employment opportunities for young people with criminal convictions, equipping them with skills and experience through delivering high-quality environmental services, such as grounds maintenance, horticulture, and flood prevention. Our mission is to reduce reoffending, enhance employability, and create sustainable social and environmental impact.

ABOUT US

The Great Friendship Project is an award-winning organisation tackling loneliness through research-informed community programmes, campaigns, and partnerships.

We design and deliver social interventions that help people build real-world friendships, strengthen social confidence, and rise out of loneliness.

Over the past four years, we have delivered hundreds of community activities, partnered with major brands and public institutions, contributed to national research and policy conversations, and built a highly engaged community of tens of thousands of young adults.

As part of this work, we also run targeted programmes that respond to specific life challenges where loneliness can be most acute - including our new LaunchPad Programme, which supports young adults who are out of work to rebuild routine, confidence, and connection alongside practical employability support.

As we look ahead, we are now entering a critical next phase of growth, strengthening our foundations in preparation for wider national expansion.

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THE ROLE

This new Programmes & Operations Coordinator role will act as the central operational lead for day-to-day delivery.

You’ll take ownership of systems, operations, volunteer coordination, and delivery logistics, while working closely with the Founder across areas such as community activity, growth planning, partnerships, and fundraising.

As a growing organisation, this is a broad, hands-on role with scope to help shape systems, processes, and ways of working as we grow.

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OPERATIONS

• Planning & Scheduling - Develop and maintain operational plans, timelines, systems, and delivery schedules to support effective coordination across the organisation.
• Process Development - Establish and maintain clear processes for tracking tasks, deadlines, risks, outputs, and learning
• Documentation - Develop and maintain scalable documentation, playbooks, and operational processes to strengthen organisational readiness for growth
• Systems Management - Build, refine, and maintain digital tools, databases, and shared filing systems to improve coordination, visibility, and efficiency
• Financial Administration - Support basic financial processes, including processing invoices, tracking expenses, and supporting grant-related financial reporting

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PROGRAMME DELIVERY

• Delivery Oversight - Support the delivery of community programmes, campaigns, and pilots, to help ensure quality, safeguarding, and consistency 
• Programme Logistics - Coordinate venues, volunteers, partners, and programme materials to ensure smooth delivery
• Participant Communications - Lead day-to-day communications with participants and community members, acting as a clear and reliable point of contact
• Community Development - Develop and refine induction, member contact, and retention processes to support a welcoming and inclusive community
• Impact Tracking - Support evaluation, feedback collection, and continuous improvement across programmes

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VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

• Recruitment & Onboarding - Lead the recruitment and onboarding of volunteers and interns
• Volunteer Coordination - Coordinate volunteer rotas, availability, and deployment across programmes and act as the primary day-to-day point of contact for volunteers
• Training & Development - Support volunteer training, shadowing, and development plans

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FUNDRAISING & GROWTH SUPPORT

• Business Development - Support the identification of new partners and assist with building and maintaining relationships, including day-to-day coordination
• Grant Writing - Assist with grant applications, funding research, and partnership follow-up
• Marketing & Growth - Support the development of marketing and growth plans, providing operational input and capacity planning
• Campaigns & Events - Support the delivery of national campaigns, research dissemination, and stakeholder events through coordination of logistics, volunteers, and internal systems

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WHO YOU ARE

• Reliable & Adaptable - You are proactive and can prioritise effectively in a fast-moving environment
• Problem Solver - You have strong organisational skills and a sharp eye for detail
• Great Communicator - You are comfortable with public speaking and talking to everyone from community members to trustees and partners
• The Sherpa - You have experience coordinating or leading teams, projects, or delivery activity
• Tech-Savvy - You love using digital tools (Google Workspace, Notion, Slack, Canva) to make work easier and more visible
• Flexible - You’re happy to work evenings or weekends, when required (N.B. Time Off In Lieu will be provided)

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EXPERIENCE - ESSENTIAL

• Experience in an operations, coordination, programme delivery, or project support role with responsibility for outcomes
• Experience managing multiple priorities across people, systems, and deadlines in a small or fast-moving organisation
• Confidence taking ownership, exercising judgement, and working with limited supervision

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EXPERIENCE - DESIRABLE

• Experience in a charity, community, events, or volunteer-led environment
• Experience supporting partnerships, fundraising activity, or grant applications
• Experience working closely with senior leadership or a founder

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BENEFITS

Beyond the opportunity to play a pivotal role in a growing social movement, we provide a supportive environment designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally.

• Meaningful work with real impact - Play a central role in tackling loneliness and helping people build lasting, real-world friendships
• Hybrid working - A flexible mix of office-based, community, and home-based working, with autonomy around how you structure your week
• 20 days annual leave + bank holidays + your birthday off - On top of this, you’ll also earn an extra day of annual leave every year you work with us, up-to 5 years
• Learning & development support - Opportunities to build skills across operations, programme delivery, fundraising, and leadership, with mentoring from the Founder and access to relevant training - where required
• Progression opportunities - As a growing organisation, this role is designed to grow alongside the organisation, with the potential to develop into a more senior role over time

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HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application and CV by completing the online form via the link below.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 22nd March @ 11pm

If you have any queries about the role or application process, you can contact us via email or use the enquiry form on our website.

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Employment Specialist to play a pivotal role in our Employability Service in Haringey.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

We are seeking a dedicated and adaptable professional to manage a caseload of up to 20 clients, supporting individuals with mental health conditions into meaningful employment using the IPS model. The ideal candidate will work closely with clinical teams, contribute to multi-disciplinary care planning, and build strong relationships with employers to tailor job opportunities. Strong organisational and communication skills are essential for managing referrals, job retention support, and compliance with NHS and Hestia protocols. The role also requires accurate KPI tracking, benefit guidance, and flexibility to work across various settings. A commitment to professional development, collaboration, and client-centred outcomes is key.​

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

Someone who is a self starter and comfortable with a lone working environment, you will have strong empathy skills and an eye for detail. You should have experience of supporting people in a job search and have made an impact on this. To succeed you would need to have worked in a target environment and used to meeting and exceeding targets.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Community Employment Consultant

We are seeking a Community Employment Consultant to support people with convictions into employment by working with prisons, employers and community partners.

Position: Community Employment Consultant

Location: London, Hybrid

Salary: £30 - £35k per annum

Contract: Permanent, full time 37.5 hours per week

Closing Date: Thursday 2nd April

About the organisation:

This is an Employment Consultancy role with a difference; you will be working for a unique, award-winning organisation that helps people that have served a prison sentence to re-enter the workplace by:

• Training serving prisoners as Peer Recruiters, who then provide a Candidate pipeline and work closely alongside the Community Team.
• Take employers into prison to interview Candidates. Some job offers are made there and then.
• Provide caseworker support to Candidates in the community with the primary aim of removing their barriers to work and supporting them into meaningful, sustainable employment.

About the role:

As a Community Employment Consultant, you will support the senior team and work alongside the prison peer-led team, helping Peer Recruiters in custody to identify and support Candidates.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build strong relationships with the relevant prison staff.
• Support the Head of the Inside Job programme to engage employers and plan monthly interview days.
• Develop relationships with local and national employers and to promote the service and create employment opportunities for participants.
• Work with the team to develop and implement a strategy to identify and target local and national employers.
• Build relationships with local Probation offices and staff, DWP and Local Authority initiatives and Police & Crime Commissioner/Violence Reduction Unit and other relevant statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records to monitor the effectiveness of the programme using our in-house portal (CRM system). Provide effective case management for participants, ensuring tailored and consistent support.

About you:

To be successful in the role of, you will need the following skills and experience:

• Be able and willing to work in Prisons and Youth Offender Institutions, this includes a vetting process which you will need to pass in order to be successful in the role.
• An empathetic and understanding approach when working with Candidates.
• A good understanding of the barriers faced by people with convictions in accessing employment.
• An interest in employment, The Local Labour Market and Industry trends.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels, including the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Strong administration skills with IT (MS Office) and well organised.
• You will have strong writing skills and will be able to write good CV’s and Disclosure Letters.

Although not essential, experience of Recruitment or Case Management would be desirable.

In return:

As well as a great job with competitive pay and benefits, you will have the opportunity to be part of something that has potential to become ground-breaking.

The team comes from a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds. As well as employing serving prisoners within the team as Peer Recruiters, we also work with Community Consultants who have served a sentence. Where possible, the charity are keen to prioritise those with lived experience of the criminal justice system.

Recruitment Process:

Step one: If you are interested in the role, please send over a basic CV & one page cover letter. In the letter, please include details of why you think you are a fit for the role. You should also include details of why you are interested in working with the prison population.

Step two: An informal Q&A before putting more time into applying for the role. This will be an online, 15 minute meeting with one of the team.

Step Three: Formal interview. This is possible online or in person. You will be set a short task prior to the interview.

Step Four: As a final part of the process, you’ll be invited into the office for coffee with the team in London.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Employment Advisor, Employment Consultant, Employability Advisor, Resettlement Worker, Case Worker, Job Coach, Recruitment Consultant, Prison Resettlement Advisor, Community Support Worker, Work and Skills Advisor.

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