Youth Employability Service Lead

Sovereign & Bale; Croydon; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Sovereign & Bale is seeking a Service Delivery Manager to lead regional employment support delivery across Croydon and surrounding areas. The role involves guiding Mentors and Coordinators, driving performance and ensuring high‑quality participant support within contractual targets.

You will manage day‑to‑day operations, work with employers and public partners, and safeguard compliance while developing the team and service improvements.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Job description

Sovereign & Bale is seeking a Service Delivery Manager to lead regional employment support delivery across Croydon and surrounding areas. The role involves guiding Mentors and Coordinators, driving performance and ensuring high‑quality participant support within contractual targets.

You will manage day‑to‑day operations, work with employers and public partners, and safeguard compliance while developing the team and service improvements.