Contract type
Permanent/ Full- time
Salary
Up to £38,862 per annum
The Growth Company’s (GC) Employment, Justice and Health team has a fantastic opportunity for a Service Manager on the new Connect to Work service in Wirral. The role involves motivating and supporting a team of Employment Specialists to deliver a high-quality programme with respect and empathy, while also achieving high-performance levels and customer service standards.
The Connect to Work programme uses the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach to support individuals with health conditions or disabilities to move into employment, providing personalised, one‑to‑one support tailored to each person’s needs and circumstances. We focus on building confidence, developing skills, and improving readiness for work, while working closely with employers to promote inclusive recruitment and job opportunities. Through this, we aim to help people access and sustain meaningful employment.
Please note, this is a community-based role involving travel across Wirral. A full UK driving licence and access to a car are desirable.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, manage and support a team delivering high-quality employment services across a defined area.
- Ensure the service follows the principles of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model the standards set out in the IPS Fidelity scale.
- Drive performance through regular reviews, coaching, and development using the Performance Management Framework.
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders and referral partners to maximise service referrals and support integration of Employment Specialists into community teams.
- Support the team of Employment Specialist to develop local employer relationships.
- Ensure compliance with audit requirements and maintain accurate CRM data and reporting.
- Monitor service quality, manage customer feedback, and apply continuous improvement methods.
- Oversee team engagement, CPD, and Social Value commitments including volunteer days.
- Report performance to senior management in line with organisational and commissioner standards.
- Ensure services are delivered in line with GC values and best practice frameworks.
About you:
- A confident and resilient leader with a passion for making a positive impact.
- Results-driven with a strong sense of initiative and accountability.
- Skilled in building relationships and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Comfortable managing a mobile workforce and adapting to changing priorities.
- Committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
- Able to work collaboratively and contribute to a supportive team culture.
- Knowledgeable about employment, health, and training sectors.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a personal car is desirable, although alternative travel arrangements may be considered.
Skills Required:
- Proven experience in people management and achieving performance outcomes.
- Strong understanding of employment law, labour market trends, and public sector policy.
- Ability to produce high-quality written reports and present confidently to stakeholders.
- Fluent in ICT systems and confident using CRM platforms.
- Knowledge of the NHS and health sector, and how it links to employability services.
- Understanding of financial information, MI, and budget management.
- Excellent communication, networking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to lead with empathy, drive results, and foster team development.
- Knowledge and experience of delivering services using the Individual Placement and Support model is desirable, not essential.
We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.
Artificial intelligence can assist you during the application process, but every example and statement you include must be honest, accurate, and based on your own real experiences. If plagiarism is detected, meaning you present someone else’s ideas or experiences, or AI‑generated content, as your own, your application may be withdrawn, and internal applicants could face disciplinary action.
At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.
Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.
We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.
If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.
We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or call us on 0161 237 4447.
Examples include:
Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance.
Extra time for tasks.
Interview questions shared beforehand.
Accessibility software or equipment for assessments.
We’re proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we’ve removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.
GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.
All GC colleagues will work in line with the Health and Safety at work act and the GC Health and Safety Policy.
