At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support individuals facing employment challenges and deliver impactful services.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in employment services and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 31030 - 41980 £ per year.
Location: Forward Leeds (Kirkgate, Irford House & Armley hubs), Leeds
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030 - £41,980
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the Role
As IPS Manager, you will lead a team of three Employment Specialists delivering IPS support across Forward Leeds hubs in Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley. You will provide supervision, coaching and performance management while also holding a small caseload of service users. You will ensure the service meets IPS fidelity standards, delivers strong employment outcomes, and maintains effective relationships with key partners including DWP, employers and commissioners. You will also take responsibility for service coordination across multiple sites, ensuring consistency, quality and strong operational delivery.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and manage a team of 3 Employment Specialists, providing supervision, PDRs, caseload support and performance management
- Deliver and maintain a high-fidelity IPS service aligned to best practice standards
- Manage a small caseload of service users, supporting them into sustainable employment
- Work across three Forward Leeds hubs (Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley) to ensure consistent service delivery
- Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, including developing access to the hidden labour market
- Maintain and develop relationships with key partners including DWP and other external agencies
- Lead weekly caseload review meetings and support team performance against outcomes and targets (including 60% community-based engagement target for appointments)
- Produce performance reports and updates for internal stakeholders, commissioners and partners
- Coordinate and support delivery of short vocational courses such as CSCS and other employability programmes
- Support the management and dissemination of IPS petty cash, ensuring accurate records and compliance with finance processes
- Liaise with finance teams to support annual budgeting and monitoring processes
- Ensure quality assurance through service user feedback, co-production and continuous improvement
- Lead on event coordination and employer engagement activities (e.g. BID Construction events, Elland Road employer events)
- Deliver presentations to a range of audiences including staff teams, employers, partners and external stakeholders
- Use digital platforms effectively (Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint and other virtual delivery tools)
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need
- Experience working in employment services, supported employment, substance use, health, social care or voluntary sector settings
- Proven experience of managing staff and performance (including supervision and PDRs)
- Strong leadership, motivational and coaching skills
- Experience building relationships with employers and external stakeholders
- Strong understanding of IPS principles and supported employment approaches
- Experience managing targets, caseloads and reporting performance data
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities across different sites
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams and digital communication tools
- Level 3 qualification in Employability Services, Advice & Guidance or equivalent experience
Desirable Experience
- Formal training in IPS model
- Experience delivering employability training or short courses
- Experience working with DWP or similar employment partnership programmes
- Event coordination or employer engagement event delivery experience
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-06-28
IPS Manager employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community through mental health and social support services. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in Leeds, where you can lead a passionate team and help individuals achieve sustainable employment while enjoying a fulfilling career in a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IPS Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that IPS Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your achievements and how you’ve made a difference in previous roles. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do a mock interview with you. This will help you feel more confident and ready to tackle any questions they throw your way during the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows you’re keen and keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace IPS Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the IPS Manager role. Highlight your experience in employment services and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for helping others shine through in your application. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in your previous roles, especially in mental health or social support settings. We love seeing genuine passion!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for clarity in your communication skills, so make every word count!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Know Your IPS Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model thoroughly. Be ready to discuss how you've applied its principles in your previous roles, especially in managing caseloads and supporting service users into sustainable employment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in managing teams and performance. Think about specific situations where you provided coaching or supervision, and be ready to discuss how you motivated your team to achieve targets.
✨Build Relationships with Employers
Since building relationships with employers is key for this role, come prepared with strategies you've used in the past. Discuss how you've engaged with employers and accessed the hidden labour market to create opportunities for service users.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage multiple priorities across different sites. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making in these scenarios to demonstrate your capability.
