Employability Manager

VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East); North Tyneside; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

VONNE (Voluntary Organisations' Network North East) seeks an Employability Manager to lead the regional employability service for unpaid carers across the North East. The role focuses on delivering high‑quality, person‑centred support to help carers progress toward work, education or training.

You will manage a team of Employability Advisors, build cross‑sector partnerships, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement within the funded regional programme.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering employability, advice, guidance or coaching support to people facing barriers to work.
• Experience managing staff and leading high‑quality service delivery.
• Strong understanding of unpaid carers’ needs, rights and the barriers they face.
• Excellent partnership‑building skills and confidence representing services at multi‑agency forums.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive employment practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the employability service across the North East, ensuring a consistent, high‑quality offer for unpaid carers.
• Manage and support a team of Employability Advisors, providing supervision, coaching and professional development.
• Oversee tailored employability pathways, workshops and interventions that help carers progress towards work.
• Build strong partnerships with employers, training providers, colleges and voluntary sector organisations to create carer‑inclusive opportunities.
• Lead on performance monitoring, reporting and quality assurance, ensuring contractual targets and safeguarding standards are met.
• Drive service development, innovation and continuous improvement aligned with regional priorities for inclusive employment and skills.

Skills

Leadership

Employability services

Stakeholder engagement

Team supervision

Project coordination

Public sector collaboration

Education

Management qualification

Safeguarding training

Experience in North East voluntary sector

Tools

MS Office

CRM systems

Data reporting

Job description

Contract Type: Fixed term
Role Type: Employment
Hours: Full time
Application deadline: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - 12:00
Based: North Tyneside
Salary: £33,500 Per Annum
Salary Type: Fixed Salary
Location: Regionwide
Role description: Manager

Employability Manager

Full‑time – 37 hours per week

Fixed‑term until 31 March 2027 (with ongoing funding discussions)

Base: This post is hosted by North Tyneside Carers’ Centre on behalf of the regional partnership.

Salary: £33,500 pa

Closing date: 15 September 2026

Interview date: week commencing 21 September 2026

Make a difference to unpaid carers across the North East

Are you passionate about inclusive employment and committed to supporting people facing barriers to work? A consortium of seven unpaid carers support organisations is delivering a new employability service for working‑age unpaid carers across the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.

We’re looking for an experienced, motivated leader to shape and drive this innovative regional programme.

Unpaid carers often face unique challenges when preparing for or returning to work. This role will lead a high‑quality, person‑centred service that helps carers build confidence, develop skills, overcome caring‑related barriers, and progress towards sustainable employment, education or training.

About The Role

• Lead the operational delivery of the employability service across the North East, ensuring a consistent, high‑quality offer for unpaid carers.
• Manage and support a team of Employability Advisors, providing supervision, coaching and professional development.
• Oversee tailored employability pathways, workshops and interventions that help carers progress towards work.
• Build strong partnerships with employers, training providers, colleges and voluntary sector organisations to create carer‑inclusive opportunities.
• Lead on performance monitoring, reporting and quality assurance, ensuring contractual targets and safeguarding standards are met.
• Drive service development, innovation and continuous improvement aligned with regional priorities for inclusive employment and skills.

This post involves regular travel across the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority area, so access to a car and a full driving licence are essential.

About You

• Significant experience delivering employability, advice, guidance or coaching support to people facing barriers to work.
• Experience managing staff and leading high‑quality service delivery.
• Strong understanding of unpaid carers’ needs, rights and the barriers they face.
• Excellent partnership‑building skills and confidence representing services at multi‑agency forums.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive employment practices.
• A management qualification, safeguarding training, and experience within the North East voluntary or social care sector are desirable.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a collaborative regional partnership committed to improving opportunities for unpaid carers and influencing carer‑inclusive employment across the North East. You’ll have the chance to shape a growing service, lead a motivated team, and contribute to long‑term strategic development.

Funding for this post is confirmed until 31 March 2027, with active discussions underway to secure longer‑term investment.