Pathways and Employability Manager

West Youth Zone; Greater London; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Maternity & paternity leave

Birthday leave

Free gym access

Workplace pension

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

West Youth Zone is seeking a Pathways and Employability Manager to design and lead a year‑round pathways and employability programme for young people aged 11 to 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs). The role focuses on delivering sessions, mentoring, and building links with schools, colleges and employers in West London.

The role requires experience in employability or progression-focused work, strong relationship-building with diverse young people, and excellent communication and

Qualifications

• Experience delivering activities, programmes or workshops to young people aged 13–19.
• Experience with employability, careers or progression-focused work.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent communication, organisation and administrative skills.
• Experience building relationships with external partners and stakeholders.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using monitoring and reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver workshops and activities that develop employability and transferable skills.
• Provide one-to-one mentoring and targeted support.
• Help young people overcome barriers and access progression routes.
• Build partnerships with schools, colleges, community organisations, employers and corporate partners.
• Develop inclusive programmes shaped by the needs of young people.
• Line manage a part-time employability youth worker and oversee volunteers.
• Monitor participation, progression and programme outcomes.
• Produce reports, case studies and impact information.

Skills

Youth engagement

Employability programmes

Relationship building

Group facilitation

Partnership development

Communications & organisation

IT & monitoring systems

Job description

Pathways and Employability Manager

Position: Pathways and Employability Manager

Location: White City, West London

Salary: £36,421 per annum

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, including evenings and weekends

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the vacancy will close once an appointment is made

About the Role

This is a rewarding opportunity to design and lead an engaging year-round pathways and employability programme for young people aged 11 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs.

You will work directly with young people, helping them identify their strengths, explore their aspirations and access meaningful education, training, employment opportunities and life goals. You will spend at least 50% of your time will be spent delivering sessions, mentoring young people and encouraging their participation. The rest of the time, you'll be opening doors building relationships with schools, colleges, community organisations and, alongside our Corporate Partnerships Manager.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and delivering workshops, projects and activities that develop employability and transferable skills
• Providing one-to-one mentoring and targeted support
• Helping young people overcome barriers and access appropriate progression routes
• Building partnerships with schools, colleges, community organisations, employers and corporate partners
• Developing inclusive programmes shaped by the needs and interests of young people
• Line managing a part-time employability youth worker and overseeing volunteers
• Monitoring participation, progression and programme outcomes
• Producing reports, case studies and impact information
• Acting as a senior safeguarding practitioner, with training provided

About You

You will have experience delivering activities, programmes or workshops to young people aged 13 to 19, along with experience of employability, careers or progression-focused work.

You will also bring:

• The ability to build trusted relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds
• An understanding of the barriers young people may face
• Confidence facilitating both small and large groups
• Experience building relationships with external partners and stakeholders
• Excellent communication, organisation and administrative skills
• Strong IT skills and confidence using monitoring and reporting systems
• A proactive, flexible approach and a strong commitment to safeguarding

Experience working with employers or corporate partners and knowledge of local education, employment and training pathways would be advantageous.

About the Organisation

You will join a vibrant youth charity providing a safe, welcoming and inspiring space for young people across West London. Open seven days a week outside school hours, the organisation offers sports, arts, wellbeing support and employability programmes designed to help young people discover their potential.

Benefits include 33 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, enhanced maternity & paternity leave, Birthday leave, free gym access, a workplace pension and training and development opportunities.

This position requires regular evening and weekend work and is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Employability Programme Manager, Careers and Progression Manager, Youth Employability Manager, Skills and Pathways Manager, Youth Programme Manager, Careers Adviser or Employment and Training Manager.