Work & Health Programme Lead

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

27 days annual leave increasing with 5

Car lease scheme

Discounts at high street and online

Online GP appointments

Employee assistance programme

Physiotherapy services

Job summary

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Employment & Training Hub is seeking a Work & Health Programme Lead to manage the Connect to Work programme, delivering high-quality services and outcomes for residents.

You will lead a team, manage budgets and contracts, and build partnerships with employers, health services and support organisations to drive inclusive employment for people facing health-related barriers.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading employment, skills or work and health programmes.
• Experience managing teams, budgets and externally funded projects.
• Strong partnership-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and use insight to drive service improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of Work & Health programmes.
• Manage programme performance, budgets and contractual targets.
• Lead, motivate and develop a dedicated team of staff.
• Build strong partnerships with employers, health services and support organisations.
• Drive inclusive employment opportunities for people facing health-related barriers to work.

Skills

Leadership experience

Employment/work & health

Budget management

Partnership building

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Job description

• Are you an experienced leader who is passionate about helping people overcome barriers to employment?
• Do you thrive on building partnerships, leading high-performing teams and delivering impactful programmes?
• Are you looking for a role where you can shape innovative employment support services and make a lasting difference to local communities?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Work & Health Programme Lead to join Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Employment & Training Hub.

About the team

The Employment & Training Hub is at the heart of our work to support residents into employment, improve skills and help local businesses access talent.

As part of a supportive and ambitious team, you'll play a key role in shaping services that help people with health conditions and disabilities move into meaningful, sustainable employment.

About the role

As Work & Health Programme Lead, you will lead the delivery of the Connect to Work programme, ensuring high-quality services, strong performance and positive outcomes for residents.

• Lead the delivery and continuous improvement of Work & Health programmes.
• Manage programme performance, budgets and contractual targets.
• Lead, motivate and develop a dedicated team of staff.
• Build strong partnerships with employers, health services and support organisations.
• Drive inclusive employment opportunities for people facing health-related barriers to work.
• Identify new opportunities, funding streams and service developments to maximise impact.

This is a fixed term role expected to last until 31 March 2030.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with a genuine commitment to improving people's lives.

• Significant experience leading employment, skills or work and health programmes.
• Experience managing teams, budgets and externally funded projects.
• Strong partnership-building and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to analyse data and use insight to drive service improvement.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to influence and lead at all levels.

Why join us?

At Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we know that great people deliver great services. That's why we are committed to creating a workplace where employees are trusted, valued and supported.

In return, we offer an attractive benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:

• A competitive salary of up to £48,738
• 27 days annual leave per year rising to 32 with 5 years service (plus bank holidays). Ability to purchase additional leave is also available.
• Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
• Access to a number of other employee benefits including learning & development opportunities, a car lease scheme, discounts at high street and online retailers, access to online GP appointments, an employee assistance programme and physiotherapy services.

We expect to hold interviews the week commencing 5th Ocotober 2026. If you are shortlisted, you will be notified via North East Jobs.

Important Applicant Guidance

Accuracy and Use of AI Tools: You must ensure that anything submitted in your application is factually accurate. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Whilst we accept candidates may use AI tools within job applications; submissions must be truthful and relevant to your own experience.

Application Updates and Communication: All updates regarding your application, including interview invitations, will be sent from ‘[e-mail]’ to the email linked to your North East Jobs account, and will also appear in the ‘My Messages’ section of your account.

Right to Work: All applicants must provide valid proof of their right to work in the UK in accordance with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s statutory employment checks. Employment cannot commence or continue unless this has been verified.

Council Principles: The Council’s recruitment principles require fairness, transparency, and a commitment to attracting and developing local talent.

Limitations: Where an individual cannot demonstrate a valid right to work in the UK, the Council will be unable to progress or continue the appointment. This includes cases where an existing employee’s visa is due to expire and sponsorship is not granted.