At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver impactful employment support across multiple hubs.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment services and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 31030 - 41980 £ per year.
Location: Forward Leeds (Kirkgate, Irford House & Armley hubs), Leeds.
Working Hours: 37 hours per week.
Contract Type: Permanent.
Salary: £31,030 - £41,980. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 staff and volunteers.
About the Role
As IPS Manager, you will lead a team of three Employment Specialists delivering IPS support across Forward Leeds hubs in Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley. You will provide supervision, coaching and performance management while also holding a small caseload of service users. Your responsibilities include ensuring the service meets IPS fidelity standards, delivering strong employment outcomes, maintaining effective relationships with key partners such as DWP, employers and commissioners, and coordinating service delivery across multiple sites.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and manage a team of three Employment Specialists, providing supervision, PDRs, caseload support and performance management
- Deliver and maintain a high‑fidelity IPS service aligned to best practice standards
- Manage a small caseload of service users, supporting them into sustainable employment
- Work across the three Forward Leeds hubs to ensure consistent service delivery
- Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, including developing access to the hidden labour market
- Maintain and develop relationships with key partners including DWP and other external agencies
- Lead weekly caseload review meetings and support team performance against outcomes and targets, including a 60% community‑based engagement target for appointments
- Produce performance reports and updates for internal stakeholders, commissioners and partners
- Coordinate and support delivery of short vocational courses such as CSCS and other employability programmes
- Support the management and dissemination of IPS petty cash, ensuring accurate records and compliance with finance processes
- Liaise with finance teams to support annual budgeting and monitoring processes
- Ensure quality assurance through service user feedback, co‑production and continuous improvement
- Lead on event coordination and employer engagement activities (e.g. BID Construction events, Elland Road employer events)
- Deliver presentations to a range of audiences including staff teams, employers, partners and external stakeholders
- Use digital platforms effectively (Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint and other virtual delivery tools)
To Succeed in This Role
- Experience working in employment services, supported employment, substance use, health, social care or voluntary sector settings
- Proven experience of managing staff and performance (including supervision and PDRs)
- Strong leadership, motivational and coaching skills
- Experience building relationships with employers and external stakeholders
- Strong understanding of IPS principles and supported employment approaches
- Experience managing targets, caseloads and reporting performance data
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities across different sites
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams and digital communication tools
- Level 3 qualification in Employability Services, Advice & Guidance or equivalent experience
- Desirable: Formal training in IPS model
- Desirable: Experience delivering employability training or short courses
- Desirable: Experience working with DWP or similar employment partnership programmes
- Desirable: Event coordination or employer engagement event delivery experience
What We Offer
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family‑friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long‑service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 “Recommend a Friend” bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and Accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We are a sign‑post to the Disability Confident Scheme – all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team at recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk.
Closing Date: 2026-06-28
IPS Manager in Leeds employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a comprehensive benefits package, including enhanced sick pay and access to a 24/7 online GP, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the vibrant city of Leeds, the role of IPS Manager provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals seeking employment, while working alongside a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality mental health and social support services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Manager in Leeds
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Recovery Focus.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Recovery Focus.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Recovery Focus.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Recovery Focus. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace IPS Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Recovery Focus. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like IPS Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recovery Focus
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Recovery Focus. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
