Employment Development Manager - Trailblazer

We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.

The Skills, Employment & Adult Education Service is part of Coventry City Council. We work with a range of delivery partners to provide a wide portfolio of top-quality support to Coventry residents of all ages who are looking for work. We work with partners across the city and our Employer Hub actively works with local employers to generate opportunities for local people.

We are a friendly and welcoming multicultural and diverse team based in the Job Shop situated in Coventry City Centre. We are here to support all Coventry’s diverse residents, each with differing needs and tailor their support to help them search for employment, training, apprenticeships and work placements. People can explore a wide range of local vacancies that are updated daily and access training opportunities.

We also provide ground-breaking specialist support for local residents who face multiple and sometimes complex barriers that make it hard for them to find a job. The Job Shop and our exciting range of specialist employment support programmes are among the very best support available in the UK

In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applicants from minority ethnic, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equity and respect remains at the heart of everything we do.

Our Values are:

• Open and fair: We are fair, open, and transparent.
• Nurture and develop: We help and encourage everyone to be their best and do their best.
• Engage and empower: We talk and listen to others, working together as one.
• Create and innovate: We embrace new ways of working to continuously improve.
• Own and be accountable: We work together to deliver the best services for our residents.
• Value and respect: We put diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do.

Be the Link Between Strategy and Impact Join Coventry’s Trailblazer Team

Coventry City Council is building a Trailblazer team within our Skills, Employment & Adult Education (SEAE) service and we’re looking for a proactive, detail-driven professional to help lead the way.

As an Employment Link Officer, you’ll play a key role in delivering high-quality employment services, managing externally funded projects, and ensuring that Coventry residents especially those facing barriers can access meaningful work. This is a role for someone who thrives on project management, partnership working, and performance delivery.

What You’ll Do

In this strategic and operational role, you’ll:

• Lead on the day-to-day management of employment projects, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and audit standards.
• Work closely with the Employer Engagement Team to match clients with job opportunities and support sustained employment.
• Represent the service at events, exhibitions, and partnership meetings.
• Develop and manage project systems for monitoring, evaluation, and financial reporting.
• Create promotional materials, case studies, and good news stories to showcase impact.
• Maintain and manage client data systems, ensuring integrity and compliance with data protection.

Why This Role Matters

This is your opportunity to:

• Shape and deliver innovative employment programmes across Coventry.
• Bridge the gap between strategy and delivery, ensuring services meet real community needs.
• Work with employers, funders, and partners to maximise opportunities for residents.
• Be part of a new team that’s bold, inclusive, and focused on results.

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience managing complex projects and reporting on financial and performance data.
• Understands government and WMCA funding regimes and employment strategies.
• Communicates confidently and professionally across diverse audiences.
• Is skilled in data management, audit compliance, and budget forecasting.
• Is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusive service delivery.

Why Work With Us?

At Coventry City Council, we offer:

• A chance to lead and innovate in a newly formed, high-impact team.
• A collaborative environment where your skills and ideas are valued.
• Opportunities for professional growth and strategic influence.
• The satisfaction of making a real difference in people’s lives.

Ready to Be a Trailblazer?

If you’re ready to take your project and partnership skills to the next level and help shape the future of employment support in Coventry, we’d love to hear from you.

This position is offered on a fixed-term basis until 31st March 2026, aligned with a Government-backed programme, with potential for future extension subject to continued funding and programme priorities.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme - As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'. If there is any evidence of a candidate using AI to complete their application, then the application will be rejected unless the candidate can provide a justification which the Council considers to be reasonable.

All candidates must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are currently not offering sponsorship for this role.

Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.

We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.

At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around 5100 staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.

To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.

If you join us, we will provide a fantastic rewards and benefits package - to find out more please visit https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-vacancies