Service Manager

Sovereign & Bale; Leicester; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Sovereign & Bale is seeking a Service Delivery Manager to lead an employment support service across multiple sites in the Midlands, including Leicester. You will manage Mentors and Activity Co-ordinators, drive performance, and build strong employer partnerships with DWP and Jobcentre Plus.

The role requires hands-on leadership, safeguarding and data compliance. You will ensure high-quality, participant-centred support, deliver against contractual targets, and use MI to identify improvements,

Qualifications

• Experience leading an operational service within employability, welfare-to-work or youth employment.
• Strong people management and performance management experience.
• Proven ability to motivate, coach and develop frontline teams.
• Experience using data and management information to improve performance.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, compliance, quality assurance and data protection.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and performance managing Mentors and Activity Co-ordinators.
• Managing service performance against engagement, employment, sustainment, quality and compliance targets.
• Using management information to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting the team to deliver effective action planning, barrier removal, job matching and in-work support.
• Building strong relationships with employers to create suitable employment opportunities.
• Working with DWP, Jobcentre Plus and local partners to strengthen referrals and participant outcomes.
• Ensuring safeguarding, quality, compliance and data protection requirements are met.
• Supporting recruitment, induction, training and ongoing team development.
• Reporting performance, risks and improvement activity to the Head of Operations.

Skills

People management

Performance management

Data-driven improvement

Stakeholder management

Communication

Organisational skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Digital case management

Job description

Service Delivery Manager

Location: Midlands (Covering Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, South Midlands, Leicester and Rutland)

Salary: £45,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

The Role

Are you an experienced operational leader with a background in employability, employment support, youth services, skills or a similar environment?

We're looking for a Service Manager to lead the delivery of an employment support service helping young people aged 18-24 overcome barriers, access employment and build sustainable careers.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll manage a team of Mentors and Activity Co-ordinators, drive performance and build strong relationships with employers, DWP, Jobcentre Plus and local partners.

You'll be responsible for the day-to-day performance and quality of the service, ensuring participants receive high-quality, personalised support and the team delivers against contractual targets.

Key responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and performance managing Mentors and Activity Co-ordinators.
• Managing service performance against engagement, employment, sustainment, quality and compliance targets.
• Using management information to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Supporting the team to deliver effective action planning, barrier removal, job matching and in-work support.
• Building strong relationships with employers to create suitable employment opportunities.
• Working with DWP, Jobcentre Plus and local partners to strengthen referrals and participant outcomes.
• Ensuring safeguarding, quality, compliance and data protection requirements are met.
• Supporting recruitment, induction, training and ongoing team development.
• Reporting performance, risks and improvement activity to the Head of Operations.

Skills and Experience

• Experience leading an operational service within employability, welfare-to-work, youth employment, skills or a similar publicly funded environment.
• Strong people management and performance management experience.
• A proven ability to motivate, coach and develop frontline teams.
• Experience using data and management information to improve performance.
• An understanding of participant-centred employment support and sustainable employment outcomes.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisation skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, compliance, quality assurance and data protection.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and digital case management/reporting systems.
• Knowledge of local labour markets and services supporting young people would be advantageous.

Travel

This is a regional, multi-site position requiring regular travel across the designated area.

There is no regular home-working provision, although occasional home-working may be possible depending on operational requirements.

A car and full driving licence would be beneficial but not essential. If you do not have access to a vehicle, you must be able to travel effectively across the region using public transport.