Employment Specialist Team Leader in Stoke-on-Trent

Directorate: Chief Executive’s Section: Economic Development – Jobs, Enterprise and Training

Location: Swann House

Grade: Level 9

Salary: £36,363 - £39,152 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

This advert is open to both Internal and External applicants.

About us

We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job, it’s about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. And that’s where you come in. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision. Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Employment Specialist Team Leader to lead our Connect to Work programme. In this role, you will support residents to move into and remain in employment, while helping local employers build a diverse and inclusive workforce. You will lead a team of eight Employment Specialists, ensuring they have the tools, resources and guidance needed to deliver high-quality supported employment services. You will manage a small caseload of complex cases, including individuals subject to MAPPA arrangements, and work closely with partners to develop strong employer pipelines. You will also collaborate across teams to ensure employers are fully supported to create sustainable job opportunities. We are seeking a strong leader with experience in supported employment, partnership working and performance management, who is passionate about inclusive employment and delivering meaningful outcomes. If you are ready to make a real difference to residents and employers across Stoke-on-Trent, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a team of Employment Specialists aligned with the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF)
• Monitoring team performance and supporting staff to achieve individual and team outcomes
• Providing coaching and guidance on best practice
• Driving continuous improvement across the service
• Preparing quarterly monitoring returns and contributing to annual performance plans in line with funding requirements

About You

• Leadership and team management experience, able to lead, motivate and develop a team by providing clear direction, supervision and performance support
• Have a strong understanding of Supported Employment principles and the SEQF framework, with experience of supporting individuals facing complex barriers to work
• Be confident in managing targets, analysing performance data and producing accurate reports to meet funding and compliance requirements
• Able to build relationships with employers and external partners to create inclusive job opportunities and sustainable employment pathways
• Experience in managing high risk or complex cases including multi-agency work such as MAPPA with sound judgement and safeguarding awareness

What we offer

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

Pre-Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable for the role)

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.