Reception services and venue manager jobs

Job title: RWP Employment Keyworker

Reports to: Client Services Manager

Location: Manchester – hybrid working, with a minimum of 2 days a week in the office. 

Salary:                £28,000 - £31,000

Hours:                 37.5 hours

Contract: 2-year fixed term contract

Background

Breaking barriers is delivering a Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) funded programme to provide employment support to participants in the Refugee Welcome Programme (RWP) across Greater Manchester.

Overall purpose

The main purpose of this role is to support asylum seeking and refugee clients as part of a new statutory contract. You will work closely with the Client Services Manager to support clients to progress into relevant opportunities and signpost to appropriate services.

In summary this role will be responsible for:

· Managing a caseload of clients referred through the programme, supporting RWP clients into employment across GMCA boroughs.

· Supporting the Client Services Manager with data collection and reporting, within Breaking Barriers and across all delivery partners

· Conducting outreach to referral partners’ venues, providing introduction and information about the programme to engage potential participants.

· Managing monthly network meeting for referral partners, taking the lead on providing updates and discussing any emerging issues with referral partners.

· Delivery of in-person group sessions with partner organisations at community locations e.g. hotels

You’ll be a confident communicator, comfortable working with a range of partners and maintaining positive working relationships. Most importantly, you’ll share our commitment to working with marginalised communities and have a genuine passion for improving opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.

The successful candidate will be experienced in supporting individuals to progress along their employment journey and understand the need to refer for holistic support.  We’re looking for someone who has experience working with people with multiple barriers to employment and building relationships with partners to try to address these. You should understand how to adapt your approach in 1-1 and group situations and be creative in developing and delivering group sessions.

Key responsibilities 

We are a fast-paced charity that prides itself on its flexibility and responsiveness so your responsibilities may change, develop and grow according to the needs and development of our services.

RWP Referral Partner coordination:

· Establish and maintain relationships with RWP referral partners to ensure the project is delivered in a collaborative and client-centred way.

· Establish and coordinate a monthly employment network meeting with referral partners

· Share updates on participant progression, emerging trends and anonymised case studies demonstrating impact

· Conduct outreach to various referral partner locations, introducing the service and engaging potential participants.

· Identify operational challenges and strengthen referral pathways

· Support the Client Services Manager to ensure good practice and quality in delivery.

· Support with project coordination to ensure outcomes. This includes but is not limited to recording and sharing minutes in partner meetings and incorporating data/learning for funder reports.

Client support

· Provide personalised employment support to a caseload of participants from the RWP programme across GMCA, helping them understand the UK labour market, define career goals, and develop employability skills.

· Support clients with all aspects of employment support in-person, in community centres, libraries, and RWP partner offices.

· Connect clients to training, qualifications and sector pathways

· Manage a caseload of clients with varying needs, adjusting frequency and intensity of support based on individual requirements. 

· Design and deliver group-based employability support in-person and remotely

· Liaise with volunteers to source additional expertise and mentoring opportunities for clients.

· Maintain relationships with referral partners from across Greater Manchester to manage client support and support agencies to signpost clients to additional services, including welfare, housing, and mental health support.

Monitoring and Reporting

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of client interactions, progress, and outcomes in the CRM system.

· Implement and adhere to monitoring and evaluation processes to track client outcomes and inform service improvements.

· Support data collection across all areas, ensuring accuracy for reports.  

· Contribute to monthly and quarterly reporting, working with the Client Services Manager to highlight areas of challenge and also good practice.

· Contribute and support management by sharing client case studies and stories for reports

Safeguarding

· Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns, making appropriate referrals and ensuring clients receive the support they need.

· Act as a first point of contact for safeguarding concerns during place-based employability sessions with RWP partners. Record and inform management as and when required.

Person specification

Essential:

• Experience providing employability support, careers advice, or guidance to individuals facing barriers to employment.

· Confidence in facilitating network meetings and building partnerships

· Experience supporting clients facing multiple and complex barriers (e.g., language, trauma, housing, mental health.

· Understanding of the refugee and asylum seeker experience and the systemic barriers they face.

· Experience of partnership working in the community or voluntary sector.

· Ability to work collaboratively and proactively with partners

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues, and partners from diverse backgrounds

· Ability to adapt communication and support style to different needs in both group and 1-1 settings, including low levels of English and varying digital literacy.

· Strong group facilitation and presentation skills, with creativity in designing engaging group-based activities (e.g. employability, ESOL-linked, orientation workshops).

· Knowledge of Greater Manchester employment, education and training landscape.

· Flexibility and willingness to work across multiple community locations in Greater Manchester.

· Experience using a CRM system to maintain client records demonstrating an understanding of data collection and reporting

• Strong administrative and organisational skills

· Ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload, including delivering sessions and providing one-to-one support

• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and experience handling safeguarding concerns appropriately.

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

Desirable:

· Experience supporting data collection and monitoring for projects or services

Additional Information:

• This role will require travel for client support and external stakeholder meetings or events.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required to support clients (TOIL provided)

Breaking Barriers is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion, or belief.

We aim for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our clients. We celebrate diversity within our workforce and are committed to creating a working environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, and unlawful discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, and where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued.

We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background.

We received an accreditation for the Empowered Foundations training with a focus on reproductive health in the workplace. As part of the training, our managers accessed learning on pregnancy loss, fertility, flexible working and eliminating bias. We also have a Menopause and Menstrual Health in the Workplace Policy, to ensure colleagues experiencing symptoms receive the support they need.

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we are committed to offering an accessible recruitment process and guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. We are also committed to ongoing workplace adjustments and support for colleagues who need them.

Accessibility of our offices

Our offices have full disabled access on all floors.

· WeWork Office (London): At the main entrance you can use the free access lift and then the main passenger lifts to all the floors. There is one disabled toilet per floor.

· Landmark Office (Birmingham): This building is designed as three specific cores served by a core staircase in each core – on each floor within each of these cores is the provision of male, female, unisex and accessible toilet facilities, with accessible passenger lifts to each floor.

· Clockwork Office (Manchester): TBC

· Spaces Office (Glasgow): 300 Bath Street offers wheelchair accessible lift from entry at street level up to reception and then accessible elevators serve the building overall. SPACES, located on the second floor, is level-entry throughout and has male, female and accessible disabled toilets available for use. 

About The Role

Reports to: The Clerk

Direct reports: Porters, Receptionist and Housekeepers

Place of work: The Hall (City of London)

You are required to live in (a one-bedroom apartment is provided on site for the Beadle and his/her partner/spouse).

Who We Are

Merchant Taylors’ Company is a membership organisation whose members share a passion for community, education and philanthropy. As a result, our activities span across London and the United Kingdom where members give their time and skills as well as donate to empower and progress charities, local organisations and schools. As a community body, we support our members by providing a rich atmosphere for them to grow and expand their horizons. To meet our ambitions, we provide an engaged and driven workplace for staff to reach their full potential.

Merchant Taylors’ Company began as a medieval organisation in 1327. Once linked to the tailoring industry, we are also a grand events venue with fascinating links to London’s history and civic life to this day. We blend together our unique history with an ambitious forward-looking plan to take us into many future centuries.

Our Vision

To be a flourishing Livery company that makes a lasting difference, improving lives through education and philanthropy.

How you add value:

The Beadle is a ceremonial position rooted in medieval history playing a key role as the outward face of the Company. You’ll support the Master, Wardens, and Clerk in the conduct of ceremonial occasions, including those away from the Hall. You’ll also be is responsible for coordinating all Health, Safety and Environmental activity. You’ll lead a team which prepares the Hall for events. You will be required to work adhoc outside of core hours.

You are expected to live on site at the Hall in a one bedroom flat. Our onsite flat is for the sole use of the Beadle and their partner.

Ceremonial

• Attend external events at venues including City Guildhall, Mansion House, and St Paul’s Cathedral
• Supervise all aspects of the management of the Company’s “Apprentices”, and the conduct of the Bindings and Admissions ceremonies in liaison with the Membership Officer and Communications Manager and maintain oversight of the publications offered to new Freemen or Apprentices
• Liaise as necessary with the office of the Chamberlain of the City, and especially on matters concerning Freemen and Apprentices and the obtaining of the Freedom of the City of London
• Oversee the maintenance of the Company’s Robes and Badges
• Act as an imposing and diplomatic Toastmaster when required
• Be fully conversant with the programme of all Company activities, both within and outside the Hall on a day-to-day basis to advise the Master and Clerk, and other members of the Company, keeping the Catering Company informed as appropriate for meal planning

Security

• Be the first responder for any alarms raised or security breaches at the Hall.
• Continually work alongside the Company Surveyor to ensure the safety of the Hall, its contents, employees, and visitors

Health & Safety

• Be the Health & Safety Emergency Co-ordinator, and fulfil all the responsibilities, including record keeping, working closely with the H&S Advisor on this
• Maintain and co ordinate the Training Matrix on the dashboard ensuring all training is up to date. Organise external trainers to the hall for the specialist training
• Complete accurate and timely accident/incident investigations reporting to the HSEC and the Company.
• Take full ownership of all risk assessments, ensuring they are completed, reviewed, and updated regularly, reporting any concerns to the Health, Safety Environment Committee
• Through close and regular personal inspection and monitoring, ensure the highest standards of Hall presentation, keeping a Defects Book and insisting on thorough hygiene and cleanliness throughout the Hall.
• Communicate any health and safety concerns to staff in a timely fashion, avoiding panic and provide clear instructions as and when needed
• Ensure that health and safety issues/concerns are dealt with swiftly
• Ensure H & S inductions are carried out for all new staff

External partners/affiliates

• Be familiar with City Police and Corporation officials on official matters
• Maintain regular contact with City churches prior to Company Church Services
• Liaise as necessary with the office of the Chamberlain of the City, and especially on matters concerning Freemen and Apprentices and the obtaining of the Freedom of the City of London
• Outside core operating / working hours
• Respond to the Fire and Security alarms
• Respond to the Digitrack fridge alarm system, notifying the Facilities Manager if a fault is identified and immediate action is needed.
• Facilitate weekend access for contractors undertaking planned maintenance works, liaising with the Company Surveyor on planned works
• Check heating system/s during period of excessive low temperatures
• Check the basement drainage for flooding during period of excessive rainfall

Team Management

• Responsible for the day-to-day management of your direct reports, which includes (and not limited to) wellbeing, recruitment, health and safety, regular feedback, quarterly check-ins and training.
• Hold regular team meetings and briefings to update the team on Company and Corporate events and all other relevant information.
• Ensure that team communication is open, two-way and always respectful
• Be a model example of the service delivery you expect from your team.
• Recommend and encourage measures for improving work procedures and team performance
• Take responsibility for training and development of your team
• Delegate, manage and distribute the workload amongst those you manage
• Make sure that your direct reports are always GDPR compliant

Other duties

• For Court members, be helpful in the coordination of the use of Court bedrooms, transport arrangements and the onward billing of the same
• Ensure correct layout of rooms for Court and Company Committee meetings, and for all Company Events involving ceremony
• Assist with inquiries from the public, liaising with the Events team, including arranging guided visits to the Hall
• Attend at, and report to staff meetings as appropriate
• Occasional evening presence at Company functions, and very occasional travel to schools and elsewhere in the UK.
• Undertake watering of plants during prolonged dry periods, including weekends.
• Purchase Merchandise and carry out annual stock audit

 The qualities you bring:

• Experienced in managing H&S 
• NEBOSH  - General certificate plus
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs including minimum grade C (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics
• IT proficient
• Have excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with a variety of different people
• Be a good listener and relay information to other staff members in a concise and clear manner
• Have a willingness to continually learn new skills
• Have excellent leadership skills
• Able to remain calm in unprecedented situations

We are seeking a forward‑thinking leader with a track record in changing organisations that have a good and loyal team in place with a commitment to our mission and values, and the imagination to explore new ways of meeting local needs. A track record of fundraising in the charity sector is needed. Whether you come with a background from the advice sector, the wider charity world, or another relevant field, if you have the vision and drive to steer CAEW into the future, we would love to hear from you.