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- Tasks: Lead the employability programme for autistic learners, ensuring they are job-ready.
- Company: St. John's College is dedicated to empowering young people with additional needs.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, ongoing professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on learners' lives while shaping inclusive employment strategies.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND learners and strong project management skills required.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Employability Manager
We\’re currently looking for an Employability Manager to join our team at St. John\’s this year.
You’ll lead the design and delivery of our college-wide employability programme, ensuring our autistic learners and those with additional needs are prepared for meaningful work opportunities. From developing enterprise projects and supporting our Supported Internship programme, to building partnerships with local employers, you’ll play a key role in shaping aspirational outcomes for our learners.
You’ll also manage a small team of Employability Coordinators, collaborate with curriculum and transitions staff, and embed employability across the learner journey—from skill-building to successful job placements.
Qualifications
- Experience working with SEND learners in an educational or employment setting
- A strong understanding of inclusive employment and supported internship models
- Knowledge of the Gatsby benchmarks and Preparing for Adulthood framework
- A background in careers advice, experience working in Further Education (FE) colleges, or demonstrated experience supporting young people with SEND
- Excellent partnership-building and project management skills
- Line management experience and a collaborative leadership style
In return, we offer generous annual leave, ongoing CPD, and a supportive team that’s passionate about delivering real‑world outcomes for young people with additional needs.
This is a brilliant opportunity to drive change, shape strategy, and make a lasting impact on the lives of our learners.
Shortlisting is scheduled for 13th January 2026, with in‑person interviews to take place at St John’s College on 21st January 2026.
Equal opportunities monitoring
Ambitious about Autism is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of our organisation. We warmly welcome applications from all qualified candidates, valuing the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives they bring. We encourage applications from individuals regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or parental status, disability, or age.
Our recruitment process promotes equal opportunities, and we are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or additional needs throughout the recruitment process. Please contact our Recruitment Team for accommodations. We recognise disability as a physical or mental impairment that significantly and long‑term affects a person’s ability to perform day‑to‑day activities, as defined by the UK Equality Act 2010. All applications will be considered solely on merit, aligned with our mission to support autistic children and young people.
Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search may be carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected\’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.
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Employability Manager employer: St John's College
Contact Detail:
St John's College Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employability Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Gatsby benchmarks and the Preparing for Adulthood framework. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in the interview but also demonstrate your commitment to inclusive employment practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the SEND sector, especially those who have experience with employability programmes. Building connections can provide you with insights and potentially valuable references that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlighting your leadership style and project management skills will be crucial in showcasing your fit for the Employability Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research St. John's College and their current initiatives related to employability for autistic learners. Tailoring your conversation during the interview to align with their mission and values will show your genuine interest in the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Employability Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience working with SEND learners and your understanding of inclusive employment. Use specific examples that demonstrate your project management skills and line management experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supporting autistic learners and those with additional needs. Discuss how your background aligns with the role's requirements, particularly in developing partnerships and delivering employability programmes.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles where you’ve successfully implemented employability initiatives or supported internships. Highlight any achievements that reflect your ability to drive change and shape strategy.
Research St. John's College: Familiarise yourself with St. John's College and their mission. Mention any specific programmes or values that resonate with you in your application, showing that you’re genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at St John's College
✨Showcase Your Experience with SEND Learners
Make sure to highlight your experience working with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learners. Share specific examples of how you've supported these individuals in educational or employment settings, as this will demonstrate your understanding of their unique needs.
✨Understand the Gatsby Benchmarks
Familiarise yourself with the Gatsby benchmarks and the Preparing for Adulthood framework. Be prepared to discuss how you can implement these frameworks in your role to enhance employability outcomes for learners.
✨Emphasise Partnership-Building Skills
Since building partnerships with local employers is key to this role, come ready to discuss your previous experiences in establishing successful collaborations. Think of specific partnerships you've developed and how they benefited the learners.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Leadership
As you'll be managing a small team, it's important to convey your collaborative leadership style. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on how you foster an inclusive and supportive environment.
