Location: Hampshire - Basingstoke, Fareham, Gosport, Havant & Hayling Island
Salary: £36,822 - £42,680 depending on skills and experience
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Please note: This is a 100% community-based leadership role. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and motivational Team Leader to oversee the delivery of the Connect to Work programme across Hampshire. Leading a team of Employment Specialists, you will play a key role in supporting individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to employment into sustainable paid work through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong people management, operational oversight, employer engagement, and performance management skills. You will support staff development, maintain high-quality service delivery, and ensure the team consistently achieves programme targets and IPS fidelity standards.
Working primarily within the community, you will manage a flexible diary while building strong partnerships with employers, healthcare professionals, and local stakeholders across Basingstoke, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, and Hayling Island.
Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Performance Management
Lead, motivate, and support a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality, outcomes-focused employment support.
Conduct regular supervisions, performance reviews, coaching, and development sessions.
Monitor caseloads, KPIs, participant outcomes, and service quality standards.
Support the team to achieve and exceed job outcome and sustainment targets.
Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture. Service Delivery & Quality Assurance
Ensure all delivery aligns with IPS fidelity standards and contractual expectations.
Provide guidance and support around complex participant cases and employer engagement strategies.
Monitor compliance, safeguarding, data quality, and participant record keeping.
Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and service innovation.
Support audits, reporting requirements, and quality assurance processes. Stakeholder & Employer Engagement
Develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, community organisations, healthcare teams, and referral partners.
Promote inclusive recruitment practices and workplace adjustments.
Represent the service at partnership meetings, local forums, and networking events.
Support employer engagement activity to increase sustainable employment opportunities across Hampshire. Operational & Community-Based Management
Provide visible leadership across community locations throughout Hampshire.
Manage team deployment and diary coordination to maximise participant engagement.
Support the mobilisation and growth of the Connect to Work programme locally.
Ensure staff wellbeing, resilience, and professional standards are maintained. Essential Criteria
Proven experience managing or leading teams within employability, welfare-to-work, supported employment, recruitment, or similar services.
Strong understanding of supported employment principles and person-centred approaches.
Experience managing performance against targets and quality standards.
Ability to coach, motivate, and develop staff to achieve positive outcomes.
Strong stakeholder management and employer engagement experience.
Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced community-based environment.
Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle Desirable Criteria
Knowledge or experience of the IPS model.
Experience supporting individuals with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers.
Understanding of vocational rehabilitation, welfare benefits, and employment legislation.
Existing networks with employers or community partners across Hampshire.
Experience managing publicly funded contracts or employability programmes. What's on Offer
Competitive salary
Flexible community-based working
Supportive leadership environment
Ongoing training and professional development
Opportunity to shape and develop an impactful local service For a confidential discussion or to apply, please contact Tiff Bennett on (phone number removed) or email (url removed)
Salary description
£36822.00 - £42680.00 per year