At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a national programme to support young people into sustainable employment.
- Company: The King's Trust, dedicated to improving outcomes for young people.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, personal development opportunities, and health benefits.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives and shape the future of employability services.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in employability and strong stakeholder management skills.
Contract Type: Fixed Term until 30th November 2028
Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week
Closing Date: 23:59 on 13/09/2026
Salary: £60,669.00 to £83,528.00 (National) or £69,978.00 to £95,904.00 (London), dependent on your location, skills, knowledge and experience
Location: London, Birmingham, Leeds or Glasgow - 40-60% of your week in an office, with an expectation to travel when required
This fully funded role runs until 30th November 2028 and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a major employability programme supporting young people across the UK.
Please note: this role is subject to The King's Trust securing funding through an ongoing DWP commissioning process. We are committed to only making appointments once funding and contract awards have been confirmed, ensuring full transparency for all candidates.
Lead a transformational national programme. We're seeking an experienced and ambitious individual to lead the delivery of our Jobs Guarantee programme, supporting thousands of young people into sustainable employment.
As Director - Jobs Guarantee, you will be accountable for this large-scale national contract, ensuring exceptional performance, compliance, quality, and impact. You'll work closely with government stakeholders, employers, delivery partners, and internal teams to create opportunities that change lives.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading delivery of a high-profile national employability programme
- Driving contractual performance, quality, and employment outcomes
- Building and managing strategic relationships with DWP, employers, partners, and subcontractors
- Using data and insight to continuously improve delivery and maximise impact
- Ensuring strong governance, safeguarding, compliance, and risk management
- Leading and developing a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team
- Contributing to wider organisational strategy and growth in employability services
Who will thrive in this role?
You'll likely bring:
- Significant leadership experience in employability, skills, welfare-to-work, or related public service programmes
- A track record of delivering results within complex, high-value contracts
- Experience working with government-funded programmes and outcome-based delivery models
- Strong commercial, financial, and operational leadership skills
- The ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective partnerships
- A passion for improving outcomes for young people and creating lasting social impact
This is an opportunity to shape a flagship programme, influence how services are delivered nationally, and help more young people move into sustainable employment.
What happens next?
Please submit a CV and Cover Letter that includes your experience, transferable skills and motivation to work for The King's Trust! The Team will be in touch about the next steps shortly after the closing date.
Why do we need a Director of Jobs Guarantee?
Last year, we helped more than 40,000 Young People, with three in four young people on our programmes moving into a positive outcome in work, education or training. The young people we help face a range of challenges, such as unemployment, mental health issues or some who have been in trouble with the law. We believe all young people should have the chance to succeed, and that young people are the key to a positive and prosperous future for all of us. We want to continue having a positive impact on young people’s lives, and we couldn’t do this without the important work of a Director of Jobs Guarantee!
Perks for working at The Trust!
- Great holiday package! 30 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays. Office closure on the days between Christmas and New Year
- Flexible working! Where operationally possible, our roles require a combination of office days and working from home (please speak to the hiring manager about this particular role)
- You can volunteer for and/or attend events – The King's Trust Awards, Pride, active events, etc.
- In-house learning platform! Develop your skills for your career and your role
- Benefits platform! Everything from health and financial well-being support to discounts on your favourite restaurants, shops and cinemas.
- Personal development opportunities through our Networks – KT CAN (Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network), and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network).
- Fantastic Family leave! Receive 13 weeks of full pay and 13 weeks of half pay for maternity and adoption leave. Receive 8 weeks of full pay for paternity leave.
- Interest-free season ticket loans
- The Trust will contribute 5% of your salary to the Trust Pension Scheme
- Generous life assurance cover (4 x annual salary)
Equal Opportunities
Here at The King's Trust, we're committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We want to be an organisation that's representative of the communities we serve, which is why we strive for diversity of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion and sex. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can be themselves and do the best work of their lives.
We are looking for people who can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation and sector, such as candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
We’re a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, and we are an employer that is Disability Confident. Our staff, volunteers and young people are supported by KT CAN (our Cultural Awareness Network), KT GEN (Gender Equality Network), KT DAWN (Disability & Wellbeing Network) and PULSE (LGBTQIA+ Network).
Safeguarding
The King's Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake basic disclosure checks in accordance with the Codes of Practice for all roles within the Trust, and for our roles working directly with young people, at an enhanced level. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants.
Director of Jobs Guarantee in Birmingham employer: The King's Trust
The King's Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a meaningful role that directly supports social impact initiatives. With a flexible work environment and a strong emphasis on professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while collaborating with passionate colleagues. This in-house position not only allows for independent work but also fosters strong relationships with senior stakeholders, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the charity sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Jobs Guarantee in Birmingham
✨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 The King's Trust.
✨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 The King's Trust.
✨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 The King's Trust.
✨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 The King's Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Jobs Guarantee in Birmingham
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 The King's Trust. 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 Director of Jobs Guarantee, 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 The King's Trust
✨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 The King's Trust. 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!
