Connect to Work Project Manager

Location: Norwich based - with some travel to North Norfolk required

Hours: 37 per week - subject to Four Day Week scheme following 6-months in post

Contract: 5-year programme (2025-2030)

Salary: £37,338 per annum

Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays

Application Deadline: 21st October (midnight)

Interview Date: Monday 27th October (Including evening interview slots to accommodate availability)

Reports to: Support Services Manager

About the Role

You will lead the end-to-end delivery of Connect to Work (CtW) across Norwich and North Norfolk - mobilising the project, building partnerships, leading the team, and delivering exceptional performance in line with IPS fidelity and the Service Specification.

Connect to Work is a voluntary programme delivering the evidence-based Supported Employment model 'place, train, and maintain', helping disabled people and those with health conditions overcome complex barriers to employment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead project mobilisation including staffing, induction, training, systems and venues; implement Specialist Support Framework with provider onboarding and SLAs
• Build productive partnerships across Primary Care Networks, NHS/ICS teams, social care, VCSE networks, JCP/DEAs generating referrals and integrated support
• Lead employer engagement strategy, cultivate business networks and anchor institutions; secure commitments for inclusive recruitment and sustained employment
• Line manage c10 Employment Specialists providing coaching, case management reviews and supervision in line with IPS standards and charity protocols
• Own performance plan and trajectory for referrals, starts, employer engagement, job starts and sustainments; monitor provider performance under SSF
• Oversee accurate MI, case records and dashboards; analyse trends to target activity and improve outcomes; prepare high-quality reports for stakeholders
• Hold contingency caseload when required; provide complex case support and cover during staff absence
• Establish programme governance with NCC including contract/performance meetings; maintain risk register with mitigations and ensure compliance
• Lead marketing and communications for CtW; represent programme locally and influence decision-makers
• Ensure IPS fidelity through file audits, practice observations and targeted CPD; maintain safe practice across safeguarding, lone working and health & safety

About You

You have significant project/programme management experience (3+ years) with full life-cycle responsibility, ideally within employment support or adjacent public/VCSE services.

Proven experience delivering or managing IPS-fidelity supported employment is essential, along with strong understanding of the Equality Act 2010 and barriers/strengths of people with health conditions and disabilities.

You have extensive employer engagement experience including senior-level account management, excellent leadership and people management skills, and outstanding partnership skills across NHS Primary Care/ICS, social care, VCSE and DWP/JCP.

About Future Projects

Future Projects is a Norwich-based charity dedicated to tackling poverty, exclusion, and disadvantage.

We are a Real Living Wage, Disability Confident, and Four Day Week Gold Standard employer.

Additional Information

• Highly mobile role requiring delivery across community venues, primary care settings and partner premises
• Significant expectation of evening and weekend working to meet participant and service needs
• Enhanced DBS check (adult workforce; adults' barred list) and right to work in the UK required
• Programme delivery until 2030