Careers Lead - Aston and Vine House Campuses

Acorn Care and Education; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in Uxbridge is seeking a full-time Careers Lead to develop and implement a comprehensive careers and employability program for students aged 16–25. Responsibilities include coordinating work experience opportunities, fostering partnerships with employers, and integrating careers learning into the curriculum. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, experience in career development, and a commitment to student welfare. Benefits include a pension scheme, mental health support, and flexible work options.

Benefits

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Family Growth Support

Qualifications

• Experience in career development, employability skills, and program coordination.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build partnerships.
• Ability to adapt learning pathways to meet student needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a careers program across two campuses.
• Coordinate internal and external work experience opportunities.
• Build partnerships with employers and training providers.
• Embed careers learning into the curriculum.

Skills

Enthusiasm for career development

Strong communication skills

Ability to coordinate programs

Experience with stakeholders

Education

Relevant educational background

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and forward‑thinking Careers Lead to shape, coordinate and deliver a high‑quality careers and employability programme across our two Hillingdon campuses. This is a key strategic role supporting students aged 16–25 to build their employability skills, develop independence and progress towards their Preparation for Adulthood goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive careers and work‑related learning programme across both campuses
• Coordinate a wide range of internal and external work experience opportunities, ensuring high‑quality, safe and enriching placements
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with employers, voluntary organisations and training providers
• Work collaboratively with teaching and support staff to embed employability and careers learning into the curriculum
• Personalise careers and learning pathways to meet each student’s aspirations, needs and abilities
• Embed Preparation for Adulthood outcomes—employment, independent living, health and community participation—through all careers provision
• Oversee risk assessments, placement monitoring and ongoing quality assurance
• Work with the Accreditation Lead to ensure suitable accredited programmes and qualifications are available to learners
• Represent the college professionally when engaging with external stakeholders and organisations
• Drive continuous improvement, ensuring the careers offer remains inclusive, meaningful and future‑focused

Line Management & Collaboration

• Line managed by the Senior Careers Lead (Isleworth campus)
• Liaise with external professionals, visiting speakers and enrichment providers to broaden and enhance the student experience

About Us

Syon Manor College is a new post‑16 provision for young people with autism and complex needs. The college will offer a broad curriculum of academic, vocational and life skills learning including BTECs, GCSEs, Functional Skills and ASDAN accreditations which will work towards Employability or Independence and Duke of Edinburgh qualifications.

Why join Options Autism?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks
• Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including a wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. *You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit.