Lead Mentor in Dungannon

Location: Dungannon, with travel across Northern Ireland

Contract: 12-month contract, full-time, 39 paid hours per week

Reporting to: Executive Director

About MEGA

Lead Mentor — MEGA

Location: Dungannon, with travel across Northern Ireland

Salary: £40,000 per annum plus travel expenses

Contract: 12-month contract, full-time, 39 paid hours per week

Reporting to: Executive Director

MEGA is an industry-led collaborative network that helps manufacturing and engineering employers attract, develop and retain people. Working with businesses and education partners, we promote careers, apprenticeships and skills development that create lasting opportunities for people and support industry growth.

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Mentor to lead and develop MEGA’s mentoring programme, helping apprentices progress, supporting employers and strengthening workplace mentoring across our network.

You will provide direct mentoring to apprentices from Level 2 to Level 7, develop company mentors and coordinate a consistent, effective support programme. Working closely with our Lean Coach, employers, education providers and wider MEGA team, you will ensure apprentices receive timely support throughout their learning and employment journey.

This role combines practical mentoring with programme coordination, employer engagement and continuous improvement. You will lead the mentoring programme without line management responsibility for the Lean Coach or company mentors.

What success looks like

Success means apprentices feel supported, employers have confident and capable workplace mentors, and concerns are identified and addressed early. You will establish clear support arrangements, maintain strong partner relationships and demonstrate the programme’s impact through reliable records, feedback and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mentoring programme: Maintain MEGA’s Mentoring for Growth framework and annual delivery plan, with clear responsibilities, contact arrangements and escalation routes.
• Support apprentice progress: Provide structured mentoring and regular progress and wellbeing contact for Level 2–7 apprentices, working with employers and education providers.
• Coordinate early intervention: Develop support arrangements for apprentices at risk of disengagement or non-completion, helping the Lean Coach and company mentors apply these consistently.
• Develop workplace mentors: Coordinate the ILM Level 3 Award with South West College and regional further education colleges, including recruitment, administration and follow-up support. Deliver agreed training elements where appropriately qualified.
• Build the mentor network: Organise quarterly networking and continuing professional development activities, sharing effective mentoring practice across member companies.
• Engage employers: Conduct company assessments, workplace visits and employer reviews to identify strengths, support needs and improvement actions.
• Coordinate onboarding and induction: Maintain employer onboarding and apprentice records, and deliver MEGA’s Work Ready Apprenticeship Induction Programme and Information and Support Service alongside the Lean Coach.
• Strengthen apprentice participation: Facilitate Degree Apprentice learner forums, organise development events and support the Apprentice Steering Group.
• Develop ongoing engagement: Grow the Alumni Network and Mentor Now initiatives, working with the marketing team to share success stories with appropriate consent.
• Maintain safeguarding and confidentiality: Embed safeguarding awareness, record and elevate concerns through agreed procedures, and signpost specialist services when needed.
• Monitor and improve delivery: Maintain accurate programme records, gather feedback and produce quarterly reports for the Board and funders covering participation, progress, satisfaction and improvement priorities.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Essential

• Relevant experience in mentoring, coaching, learner support, apprenticeship support or workforce development, with evidence of helping people progress.
• Experience coordinating a programme or caseload, organising activities and maintaining reliable records and outcome reports.
• Ability to build trust with apprentices and work effectively with employers, education providers and colleagues.
• Confidence facilitating group sessions and supporting the development of workplace mentors.
• Sound judgement when handling sensitive information, wellbeing concerns and safeguarding issues, including knowing when to elevate or refer.
• Strong communication, organisation and digital administration skills.
• Ability to travel to employer and partner sites across Northern Ireland.

Desirable

• A relevant mentoring, coaching, training or learner support qualification.
• Experience of ILM programmes.
• Understanding of manufacturing and engineering workplaces.
• Experience of funder reporting or programme evaluation.

Relevant practical experience will be recognised alongside formal qualifications.

Working arrangements and benefits

• Normal working hours: Monday–Thursday, 8.00am–5.00pm; Friday, 8.00am–1.00pm.
• 30 days’ annual leave, including the eight statutory public holidays recognised in Northern Ireland.
• Employer pension contribution of 3% of qualifying earnings, subject to a matching employee contribution.
• Travel expenses.

Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 23 October 2026.

Appointment is subject to two satisfactory references and a satisfactory AccessNI check at the appropriate level. A three-month probationary period applies.

MEGA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

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