At a Glance
- Tasks: Support veterans in finding meaningful employment while overcoming barriers.
- Company: Join The Poppy Factory, a charity dedicated to helping armed forces veterans thrive.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive salary, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel; part-time options available.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on veterans' lives while working in a supportive team environment.
- Qualifications: Empathy, communication skills, and experience with complex challenges are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 36000 € per year.
Overview
Employment Consultant (South Midlands) at The Poppy Factory — home-based with significant travel across the designated region. Salary: £32,208 (+ cost of living increase from October 2025). Hours: 37.5 per week (part-time or flexible working options considered). Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension.
Base pay range
- Job Title: Employment Consultant (South Midlands)
- Location: Home-based with significant travel across designated region
- Salary: £32,208 (+ cost of living increase from October 2025)
- Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week (part-time or flexible working options considered)
- Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension
Would you like to be inspired every day in a highly rewarding role? Whether it’s the veterans we support, your colleagues or the other services that we collaborate with, you will be working with an exceptional group of people.
At the Poppy Factory, we help armed forces veterans with health conditions to find meaningful and sustainable employment after service. This often means overcoming significant barriers to employment. Our aim is to empower veterans, help them to recognise their unique skills and give them the confidence to move forwards in their career.
As an Employment Consultant, you will be assisting veterans across the region back into work. Based at your home, but with extensive travel, you will help with application materials, overcome challenges, and connect with employers. You will also work alongside professionals in other services such as health or welfare to ensure that the veterans have access to all the support they need to overcome barriers to gain and retain employment.
What do we need from you?
- Empathetic and effective communicator. You will be comfortable building rapport and trust with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- A collaborative mindset. You will enjoy working as part of a team with colleagues based across the UK who support each other in what can sometimes be a challenging role. You will also work closely with many other organisations for the benefit of the veterans you will be supporting.
- Motivation and commitment. It takes hard work, tenacity and time to help people reach their employment goals. You will sometimes be helping people in challenging circumstances who need intensive support to move forwards.
- This is hugely varied role and no two days are the same. You will often need to balance competing priorities or quickly shift focus depending on the needs of the people you will be supporting.
- Experience of and confidence in supporting people with complex challenges such as health issues, substance use, insecure housing, criminal records, or other barriers to employment.
- You will be an emotionally resilient individual who can effectively navigate challenging circumstances and provide unwavering support to those in need.
Why should you apply?
- A chance to give back to our armed forces and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
- Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
- A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
- Variety in the role, a mix of travelling in your area, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
- The opportunity to develop your region and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
- Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history
For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.
How to apply
To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Kirsty Gronow, Services Manager.
For an informal conversation to find out more about this role, please call Kirsty Gronow.
The closing date for this vacancy will be 21 September 2025. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.
First stage interviews will take place on 1 October, with second stage interviews scheduled for 6 October.
No agencies please.
Equality & Diversity
We are committed to equality, valuing diversity, and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us. We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work.
As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.
Additionally, we offer a guaranteed interview to veterans of the UK armed forces or members of the Reservist forces who meet the essential role criteria. Please make it clear in your application if you wish to be considered on this basis. Please note, to be eligible for consideration under this scheme your application must demonstrate that you meet the essential role criteria as set out in the person specification.
We are a family friendly employer and happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. We encourage applicants to contact us to discuss if they have any questions before applying.
About The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory aims to be an exemplar employer. We recognise the impact that working with a challenging cohort can have on our staff, which is why we prioritise work/life balance and support mechanisms including training, supervision and EAP provision.
The Poppy Factory provides competitive terms and conditions of employment, including:
- Opportunity for home-based/hybrid and flexible working
- 28 days’ basic annual leave per year (including a day in lieu of Armistice Day, and 3 days’ Christmas closure), rising to 32 days with long service, plus bank holidays
- Double-matched pension contributions up to 10% employer contribution
Please click on the apply button to access and view the full job description and personal specification.
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Human Resources, Project Management, and Customer Service
Industries
- Non-profit Organizations, Health and Human Services, and Individual and Family Services
Employment Consultant (South Midlands) employer: The Poppy Factory
The Poppy Factory is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of armed forces veterans. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive culture, employees are empowered to grow professionally while contributing to a noble cause. The opportunity to work from home, coupled with extensive travel across the South Midlands, allows for a dynamic and varied role that fosters collaboration and personal development within a historic charity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Consultant (South Midlands)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life. Understanding their experiences will help you connect better and demonstrate your empathy during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the non-profit sector, especially those who work with veterans or similar demographics. Building relationships can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific strategies you've used in the past to support individuals facing complex challenges. Highlighting your problem-solving skills will show that you're equipped for the demands of this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research The Poppy Factory's mission and values thoroughly. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with theirs will make a strong impression during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Consultant (South Midlands)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Employment Consultant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, address Kirsty Gronow directly and clearly outline how you meet the essential criteria mentioned in the person specification. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to emphasise any experience you have in supporting individuals with complex challenges, such as health issues or barriers to employment. This will show that you understand the unique needs of the veterans you will be assisting.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Poppy Factory
✨Show Your Empathy
As an Employment Consultant, you'll be working with veterans facing various challenges. Make sure to demonstrate your empathetic communication skills during the interview. Share examples of how you've built rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
✨Highlight Collaborative Experiences
This role requires a collaborative mindset. Be prepared to discuss your experiences working in teams and how you’ve successfully collaborated with other organisations or services. This will show that you can work effectively in a supportive environment.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
The job can be challenging, so it's important to convey your emotional resilience. Share specific instances where you've navigated difficult situations while providing support to others. This will illustrate your ability to handle the demands of the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific scenarios involving veterans with complex challenges. Prepare by thinking through potential situations and your approach to overcoming barriers to employment. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and commitment to helping others.
