We are looking for an experienced Employment & Skills Manager to lead a team delivering externally funded programmes. You will provide strategic and operational leadership across our employment and skills portfolio and ensuring that residents, particularly young people and people facing barriers to work, receive high-quality support that leads to positive and sustainable outcomes..

This is a key management role with responsibility for programme mobilisation, contract performance, budgets, quality, compliance, partnerships and continuous improvement.

The Role

You will work closely with employers, commissioners, Job Centre Plus, education and training providers and community partners to strengthen local pathways into education, training and employment. You will also:

• Lead the design, mobilisation, delivery and improvement of employment and skills programmes
• Manage contracts, budgets, delivery plans, outputs, outcomes, evidence and commissioner reporting
• Lead and develop the Employment & Skills Team, setting clear objectives, caseload expectations and performance standards
• Oversee participant journeys, referral pathways, employer engagement and progression into education, training and sustainable employment
• Manage delivery partners and maintain strong quality, compliance and audit-readiness arrangements
• Develop relationships with employers and training providers to create vacancies, work experience, apprenticeships and sector pathways
• Use performance data, participant feedback and labour-market intelligence to improve services and respond to local need.

WHY JOIN US?

WLCA was founded in 1994 by Perry Common residents and remains a resident-led community anchor. We work across North Birmingham, combining housing, employment and skills, advice, health and wellbeing, environmental action and neighbourhood development. We deliver from trusted community venues and convene partnerships including the North Birmingham Economic Recovery Board and B:CAN’s network of 29 community anchors. This role offers the chance to influence major place-based priorities while staying connected to the residents and neighbourhoods they are intended to benefit.

HOURS & SALARY

£35,000 – £40,000 per annum

37 hours per week, permanent

HOW TO APPLY

If you have strong leadership skills are eager to support local residents on their employment journey, we’d love to hear from you! View or download the full Job Description here.

If you are interested in the above vacancy, please send your CV and supporting statement to Gareth.Moore@wittonlodge.org.uk or apply online. If you have any questions please call our team for an informal chat on 0121 382 1930 (no agencies).

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Thursday 12th November 2026