IPS Team Manager

Are you ready to lead a team that transforms lives through the power of meaningful employment?

Triage is seeking an IPS Team Manager in Sunderland — a dynamic leader who can inspire, guide, and develop a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred support.

Deadline: 13th February 2026

• North East
• Full-time

Who is Triage?

Triage provides information, advice, guidance, skills, workplace training, work preparation and supportive recruitment services that help people secure a job, progress in the workplace and build meaningful careers.

Delivering from locations across Scotland and England, Triage partners with multiple public, private and community organisation. Working with local, regional, and national stakeholders, prime contractors and Jobcentre Plus, we deliver employment, education and training programmes that respond to the social, cultural, inclusive and economic growth agendas.

We are looking for people to join us, who reflect our values. With offices across the UK, our values are what helps unite our teams and provides us with a sense of belonging. No matter the location we work in, or the role we carry out, we feel a sense of community and that’s all because of our values. For us, our five values frame our interactions and set standards both internally and externally – they are the building blocks on how we do business.

“We thrive together”, “We do something amazing everyday”, “We never give up”, “We know our knowledge is power”, “We act with kindness”.

In other words, if you have a true passion for working with and helping others, Triage could be the employer for you.

• The IPS Team Manager will lead and supervise a team of IPS Employment Specialists delivering high-quality, person-centred employment support. This role will also lead on employer engagement, to promote and generate referrals to the service.
• The programme will support individuals with health conditions (including mental health), disabilities and complex barriers to employment, to gain and sustain meaningful paid employment, and is built around the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, which is an evidence-based approach to vocational rehabilitation.
• This position is a crucial leadership role in guaranteeing we continue to make a positive difference and achieve financial, performance and quality targets set by our commissioner.
• The service will be delivered across local communities and will also cover Gateshead therefore a willingness to travel across the region as often as is required is essential.
• Triage is a Disability Confident Employer who wishes to engage and encourage people with a disability or long-term health condition, ensuring they have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the job and make reasonable adjustments to ensure candidates are not disadvantaged in any way. Please let us know if you would like to be considered under this scheme when applying.

More details about the role:

• Service Delivery & Quality Assurance
• Ensure the IPS service is delivered in line with evidence-based IPS principles.
• Support staff in delivering tailored, strengths-based employment support.
• Mentor and role model IPS delivery through directly supporting/overseeing caseloads as required along with employer engagement and clinical integration.
• Guide, mentor and coach the team to deliver on employment and job development strategies.
• Lead by example by encouraging individuals to recognise, understand and manage factors that affect their mental wellbeing and physical health.
• Support the Operations Manager with quality assurance, including fidelity reviews and audits.
• Manage referrals and ensure equitable access to the service.
• Monitor customer service and resolve complaints to reduce escalation.

Leadership & Development

• Support and develop a team of IPS Employment Specialists, providing supervision, coaching, and professional development, promoting training opportunities and addressing capability gaps to enhance overall performance.
• Embed IPS principles across the service, ensuring…