At a Glance
- Tasks: Support schools and colleges in enhancing careers programmes and employer engagement.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to transforming careers education for young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young people's futures while collaborating with local businesses and educators.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience in education or career services required.
- Other info: DBS check needed; commitment to safeguarding children is essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Portsmouth Enterprise and Skills Executive (Careers) – PO1 2AL, United Kingdom
Job Category: EducationRegion / Division: UK RegionLocation: PortsmouthWorking Hours: 37
The Solent Careers Hub is a partnership of the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton local authorities who work together to deliver the aims and objectives of the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) in the Solent area.
Nationally the Careers and Enterprise Company has been set up to inspire and prepare young people for the fast-changing world of work. Careers Hubs lead partnerships of schools, colleges, local enterprise partnerships, local authorities, local businesses and careers providers, deploying innovative approaches to transform the careers provision and act as a catalyst, connecting employers with schools and colleges throughout the Solent to deliver a world-class locally tailored careers education programme. Through joining a Careers Hub, we enable schools and colleges to receive professional guidance in how to develop their careers programme, peer to peer support access to funding and coordinated activity.
The Role
The Portsmouth Enterprise and Skills Executive supports the coordination of the Solent Careers Hub in Portsmouth to help schools and colleges improve their careers and enterprise programmes, employer engagement and local economy linkages. The Careers Hub bridges the gap between education and employers by pairing individual volunteer Enterprise Advisers (EAs) with a school or college to help build a strategic employer engagement plan to improve careers and enterprise provision within the school. The post will focus everyone’s efforts on programmes and activities that are most effective in motivating young people, supporting independent choice, and supporting positive outcomes for young people.
This role will also include working collaboratively with Solent Careers Hub Lead, Enterprise Coordinators, and external stakeholders to increase employer engagement and workplace experiences for young people locally. This will include supporting the implementation of modern work experience and increasing the number of encounters with local employers.
Hybrid working attendance requirements:
Minimum of 2 days per week in Portsmouth – will be required to spend time in IOW and Southampton
The ideal candidate
Will have/be
- Level 3 or above qualification or equivalent relevant experience in related field
- Experience of partnership working with employers and an understanding of the skills improvement priorities.
- Knowledge or experience of the education system and/or careers education.
- Experience of engaging and building relationships with stakeholders including schools, colleges and businesses.
- Experience of supporting the delivery of programmes or projects with multiple stakeholders.
- An understanding of relevant local and national policy relating to skills and economic development and the issues and barriers to employment faced by young people.
- An understanding of post-16 landscape including National Apprenticeship Service, Uni-Connect, National Careers Service and T Levels.
Skills and Core competencies
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to persuade and influence a variety of audiences and encourage others to use new ways of working.
- Strong collaborative working and relationship building skills at all levels, both internally and with a range of external stakeholders.
- Proactive, with the ability to work independently, prioritising a busy workload, managing relationships with a large number of stakeholders and adapting conflicting priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to meet deadlines, work on a range projects, and work both independently and as part of a team.
- Competent use of a range of digital and IT and social media platforms in order to improve and raise awareness of the direct impact of the network.
- A full driving licence is desirable as this will be advantageous when travelling across region.
Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section \’Who is the person\’ as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement on your application.
Interview date: 27th August 2025
Application process
We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.
As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the \’Who is the Person\’ points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion – Careers portal . We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
About Portsmouth City Council
What we can offer you:
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act .
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal – Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment .
DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact . or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800
Portsmouth Enterprise and Skills Executive (Careers) - PO1 2AL, United Kingdom employer: Portsmouth City Council
Contact Detail:
Portsmouth City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Portsmouth Enterprise and Skills Executive (Careers) - PO1 2AL, United Kingdom
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local education landscape and the specific needs of schools and colleges in Portsmouth. Understanding their challenges and how you can address them will help you stand out during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with local employers and stakeholders involved in the Solent Careers Hub. Building relationships now can provide you with valuable insights and connections that may benefit your role if you are selected.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on national policies related to careers education and skills development. Being knowledgeable about current trends and initiatives will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in partnership working and stakeholder engagement. Think of specific examples where you've successfully collaborated with various parties, as this is crucial for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Portsmouth Enterprise and Skills Executive (Careers) - PO1 2AL, United Kingdom
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Job Profile: Read the job profile thoroughly, especially the 'Who is the Person' section. This will help you tailor your personal statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific requirements of the role.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Your personal statement is crucial. Use it to demonstrate how you meet each requirement listed in the job description. Provide specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills and competencies relevant to the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on partnership working, stakeholder engagement, and any relevant projects you've been involved in. Make sure to connect these experiences back to the skills and competencies mentioned in the job description.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are key traits for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth City Council
✨Know Your Stakeholders
Familiarise yourself with the key stakeholders involved in the Solent Careers Hub, including schools, colleges, and local businesses. Understanding their roles and how they interact will help you demonstrate your ability to build relationships and engage effectively during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your skills in partnership working and stakeholder engagement. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated challenges in similar roles, particularly in education or careers guidance.
✨Understand Local and National Policies
Brush up on relevant local and national policies related to skills and economic development. Being able to discuss these policies and their implications for young people will show your depth of knowledge and commitment to the role.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Consider conducting mock interviews with a friend or mentor to refine your ability to persuade and influence various audiences.