Programme Lead, Management, Operations Manager

We are now recruiting a Programme Lead for our Essex Work Ready service – a senior, values‑led leader who will oversee the delivery of a high‑impact contract supporting young adults aged 16‑26 with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) across Greater Essex, including Southend and Thurrock. This is a role for someone who can combine strong operational leadership, partnership influence and performance accountability with compassion, trauma‑informed practice and belief in young people's potential.

Your Impact As Programme Lead, you will have full operational responsibility for the Essex Work Ready contract, ensuring delivery is high quality, recovery‑focused and outcomes‑driven. You will lead a small, skilled team delivering personalised and intensive support to young adults who may be disengaged from education, employment and services – including those transitioning from CAMHS, known to Early Intervention Psychosis teams, ARMS services or recently discharged from inpatient mental health care.

Your Role:
You will provide strategic and hands‑on leadership across the contract, including:

Leadership & People Management

• Line‑manage 3‑4 staff, which may include Employment Specialists, Support Workers, Engagement Advisors or similar roles
• Ensure caseloads are appropriate, risk‑managed and focused on high‑quality participant outcomes
• Build a culture of trust, accountability, safeguarding awareness and continuous improvement
• Model recovery‑focused, person‑centred practice and lead by example

Service Delivery & Contract Model

• Ensure delivery of short‑term, intensive, vocationally focused support for young adults
• Ensure every participant has a personalised, goal‑focused plan reflecting strengths, interests and aspirations
• Embed IPS‑aligned principles, including voluntary participation, preference‑based support, rapid job search and employer engagement
• Ensure delivery is flexible and takes place in the most appropriate settings, including community venues, youth settings and partner locations

Referral Growth & Partnership Development (Key Requirement)

• Build and maintain strong referral pathways with CAMHS, Secondary Mental Health Teams, Early Intervention Psychosis services, ARMS, youth services and community partners
• Ensure referral processes operate smoothly and responsively across the county
• Work collaboratively with clinicians and partner services to deliver coordinated, wrap‑around support
• Ensure referral volumes support annual engagement targets (minimum 120 young adults per year)

Commissioner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary operational point of contact for Essex County Council commissioners
• Attend contract management meetings, reviews and performance discussions

Performance Management & KPI Delivery

• Take operational ownership for achieving contractual KPIs, including engagement, progression and sustained EET outcomes
• Ensure accurate, timely data entry and reporting to commissioner standards
• Use MI and performance data to identify trends, risks and improvement actions

Co‑Production & Youth Voice

• Ensure the service is genuinely co‑produced with young adults
• Implement structured feedback, involvement and participation mechanisms

Experience Managing or Leading Services Within Employability, Youth, Education or Mental Health

• Strong ability to work to performance targets and KPIs
• Experience of multi‑agency partnership working
• Understanding or experience of IPS or vocational rehabilitation approaches
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop staff in a high‑compliance environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including commissioner reporting

You Share Our Values

• Be Ambitious – You're determined, forward‑thinking and always seeking improvement
• Be Inspiring – You support others to take ownership and raise standards
• Be Proud – You celebrate high‑quality work and positive outcomes
• Be Considerate – You collaborate inclusively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders
• Own It – You take accountability, lead with integrity, and follow through on what matters

Because you'll be part of a mission‑driven organisation that invests in your growth and celebrates your impact.

You'll Get

• Wellbeing support including GP, counselling and Headspace
• Discounts, pension and salary sacrifice options
• Enhanced benefits with service
• A culture built on ambition, pride, ownership and support
• Real opportunities for progression

We are also a proud Disability Confident Employer. Adjustments are available at every stage.

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