Head of Restart Programme

TCHC is looking for a motivated and outcome-focused individual who will be responsible for managing the overall operational delivery of our Restart contract. TCHC is a delivery partner to AKG who deliver the government’s Restart Programme supporting unemployed universal credit claimants to enter into work. TCHC delivered this contract across Aylesbury Vale from their flagship office in the centre of Aylesbury.

The purpose of this role is to manage the internal delivery of the Restart contract, ensuring that all contractual and quality key performance indicators are achieved on time and within budget. We are looking for an individual with operational management experience who has successfully managed target driven services and teams at a senior level with a drive to continuously develop performance improvement throughout the contract.

You will work closely and report to the Managing Director to make sure all the operations of the contract are running well, with a smooth efficient service that meets the expectations, targets and needs of the participants and AKG.

You will ensure the contract is performing as per the KPIs and contract requirements, working with the Restart team to support them to achieve the targets for all deliverables on the contract and maximise all income opportunities.

This role will hold accountability for the successful performance management of the Restart contract to ensure contractual needs are met.

• Management qualifications (Essential)
• Minimum of 5 years of contract management experience at a senior level in leading and successfully managing delivery teams/people management experience in managing, coaching and leading a team to drive success in a challenging and target driven contract.
• Experience of establishing relationships with partners and stakeholders at a senior level.
• Effective leadership skills, ability to lead, support and motivate.
• Experience and knowledge of government‑funded welfare‑to‑work/employability programmes.
• Experience in working in a Recruitment environment (Desirable).

• Responsible for management of the whole Restart delivery team consisting of a Restart Performance Manager, Employment Coaches, an Employer Services Consultant and an Administrator.
• Providing strategic leadership and management to the delivery team and liaising with senior AKG delivery team.
• Providing oversight of performance and managing the financial controls of the contract.
• Ensure that all activity with participants is carried out in a professional and timely manner, to a consistent high quality and that any problems and issues are dealt with effectively.
• Ensure that the delivery team meets all compliance obligations and targets of the contract.
• Recognise and develop future business opportunities and make a positive contribution to their development.
• Ensure all local and national policies are followed for keeping staff and participants safe.
• Manage processes and procedures timely ensuring deadlines are met.
• Lead and motivate staff to be a high-performing team and ensure individual and team targets are consistently met and maintained.
• Weekly review and monitoring of key performance indicators using a performance dashboard with Restart Performance Manager – identifying areas for improvement and implementing recovery plans and activities to meet expected performance.
• Support the Restart Performance Manager in training and coaching the delivery team to refresh learning and cascade any changes in process.
• Conduct monthly compliance/audit checks of participants in each Employment coach’s caseload.
• Develop strong relationship with AKG Partnership Manager; customer service support centre and compliance teams.
• Develop strong strategic network with local supporting organisations such as charities, health providers and local stakeholders such as the local authority to encourage collaborative working and attend networking events.
• Complete weekly and monthly reporting MI and reports for AKG and internal reporting.
• Attend weekly and monthly performance review meetings with Restart Performance Manager and AKG.
• Conduct weekly forecasting of performance to meet…