Project Officer (2 YR FTC)

Why Southwark?

At Southwark Council, we’re on a mission to deliver inclusive growth and meaningful employment opportunities through innovation, partnership, and purpose. As our new Project Officer in the Local Economy team, you’ll help shape the future of our borough by ensuring our new supported employment programme hits the highest standards, and stays there.
This isn’t just another support role, this is about empowering lives, influencing a fairer economy, and being part of an ambitious team delivering industry-leading models like Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF).
This role is being offered on a 2-year fixed term basis.

Why this role is unmissable?

• You’ll champion high-fidelity, evidence-led employment support across Southwark.
• You’ll influence change through collaboration with clinical teams and local partners.
• You’ll set standards across strategic projects that are shaping our borough’s future economy.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead fidelity reviews across the Connect to Work employment programme, using IPS and SEQF, and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching and development to employment teams to strengthen practice.
• Support effective working relationships with clinical and delivery partners to ensure a joined-up approach.
• Support wider local economy projects – including quality assurance, research, governance, commissioning, and performance planning.
• Deliver defined workstreams and project products on time, to scope and quality.
• Conduct research and analysis and produce clear, engaging reports and presentations.
• Represent the team in meetings and working groups, driving forward shared objectives.
• Contribute to wider economic growth programmes across the Planning & Growth division.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in service improvement, quality assurance, or programme evaluation.
• Analytical mindset – confident working with data, reports, and stakeholders.
• A solid grasp of one or more of the following: governance, compliance, business planning, commissioning, or performance monitoring.
• Good working knowledge of public sector issues, local government reform, and the dynamics of partnership work.
• Proven ability to deliver projects in complex organisations and manage competing priorities.
• Skilled in preparing professional reports and presentations for varied audiences.
• Passionate about making a real difference in people's lives through employment.
• First-class organisational skills with a flair for forward-planning and multitasking under pressure.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills using Microsoft365.
• Confidence handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion.
• Able to manage programmes and projects, making sure every milestone is hit and every challenge tackled.

Additional Information

About Southwark

Southwark Council is the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues such as The Shard, The Tate Modern and Borough Market along with many social enterprises and we have a young, diverse, and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities.

Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Benefits and more information

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark
Salary Range: £37,437 - £43,542
Application Closing Date: 11.59pm on 20th of July 2025

Interview Date: The 4th of August 2025

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this role, please complete the application forms detailing your suitability for the role. The Job Description and Person Specification can also be found at the bottom of this page under attachments.
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative.
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.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, in which case we will move the key dates for the process. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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Attachments

• Job Description & Person Specification