At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic initiatives to enhance youth participation and influence in Sandwell.
- Company: Sandwell Council, dedicated to improving lives for children and young people.
- Benefits: Opportunity to make a real impact and work collaboratively with diverse partners.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to inclusivity and positive change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of youth services and amplify young voices in your community.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education or equivalent experience in youth service leadership.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sandwell is committed to ensuring that children and young people live happy, safe, healthy and successful lives. We are ambitious about strengthening our youth offer, amplifying young people’s voices, and working with partners to deliver meaningful opportunities across our communities. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for shaping and delivering Sandwell’s strategic approach to Youth, Play and Participation. You will work across the Council and with partners to ensure children and young people can access high-quality informal education and leisure opportunities and actively influence the services that affect them.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for Youth, Play and Participation, ensuring sufficient, high-quality provision across Sandwell.
- Design and deliver borough-wide strategies that increase participation, youth voice and influence (e.g. Youth Council, Area Forums).
- Lead commissioning and performance management of youth provision, including targeted programmes such as Holiday Activities and Food.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships across statutory, voluntary and community sectors.
- Ensure compliance with statutory duties, safeguarding requirements and health and safety standards.
Essential Requirements
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience, including leadership of youth service provision.
- Proven experience of leading large-scale services or programmes, including managing budgets and teams.
- Strong track record of partnership working across multi-agency environments.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence across political and organisational boundaries.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the Youth, Play and Participation sector and relevant policy and legislative context.
About You
We are looking for an ambitious and values-driven leader who can drive change and deliver improved outcomes for children and young people. You will bring strategic insight, strong leadership capability and a commitment to partnership working. You will be confident operating in a complex political environment, able to build trust with elected Members, partners and communities, and passionate about ensuring young people’s voices shape the services they receive.
Our Offer
At Sandwell, we are proud of our One Team approach, working collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes for our residents. We are committed to being inclusive, ambitious, accountable and customer-focused in everything we do. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and influence provision at a strategic level and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people across Sandwell.
Closing date: 6 July 2026
Strategic Lead – Youth, Play and Participation employer: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. With a strong commitment to professional development, our One Team approach encourages innovation and partnership across various sectors, ensuring that every team member can contribute to shaping high-quality youth services. Located in a vibrant community, this role offers the unique opportunity to lead strategic initiatives that amplify young voices and enhance participation, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Lead – Youth, Play and Participation
✨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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Lead – Youth, Play and Participation
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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. 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 Strategic Lead – Youth, Play and Participation, 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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
✨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 Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council. 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!
