Connect to Work Employment Specialists

We are recruiting for up to 6 Employment Specialists to join our Connect to Work Team.

If you are passionate about supporting residents with complex barriers to employment, committed to achieving positive outcomes, and bring experience of working in a target‑driven, person‑centred employment or support environment, we would love to hear from you.

In this role, you will:

• Manage and support a caseload of clients with multiple barriers to employment, including physical and mental health disabilities, special educational needs, ex‑offenders and those experiencing homelessness, helping them secure employment that aligns with their preferences and enhances wellbeing and dignity.
• Provide effective motivation, personal development and pastoral support to help clients progress on their employment journey.
• Deliver high‑quality Supported Employment in line with the IPS Grow and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models.
• Offer trauma‑informed, person‑centred advice and guidance, helping clients identify their skills, aspirations and goals through vocational profiling and action planning.
• Support clients with job search, CVs, applications, interview preparation, career development and benefit‑related guidance.
• Build strong relationships with local employers, proactively accessing the hidden job market to secure suitable opportunities.
• Provide in‑work support to clients and employers, including negotiating reasonable adjustments and helping sustain employment.
• Work collaboratively with health and social care teams, Primary Care, training providers and other agencies to deliver an integrated service.
• Promote the Connect to Work programme through outreach, events and partnership engagement.

About You
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Experience of working in a target‑driven environment, managing performance and meeting deadlines.
• Experience supporting hard‑to‑reach groups into sustainable employment and providing in‑work support in a trauma‑informed manner.
• Knowledge of the barriers faced by local residents, including those specific to Tower Hamlets, and awareness of local labour market trends, recruitment challenges and skills shortages.
• Understanding of disability‑related and employment‑related benefits, and the ability to advise on reasonable adjustments.
• A methodical, accurate approach to work, with the ability to use your own initiative and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively in a diverse community and build positive relationships with employers and partners.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary £45,852 to £49,155 plus allowances (if applicable).

• Local Government Pension Scheme membership.

• Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years’ service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.

• Flexible and agile working to support work–life balance.

• Staff money-saving schemes (e.g., rent deposit loans, season ticket loans).

• Learning and development opportunities through our Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.

Benefits

Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.