Connect to Work Team Leader
 
Location: Hampshire - Basingstoke, Fareham, Gosport, Havant & Hayling Island
Salary: £36,822 - £42,680 depending on skills and experience
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Please note: This is a 100% community-based leadership role. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
 
About the Role
 
We are seeking an experienced and motivational Team Leader to oversee the delivery of the Connect to Work programme across Hampshire. Leading a team of Employment Specialists, you will play a key role in supporting individuals with health conditions, disabilities, and complex barriers to employment into sustainable paid work through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong people management, operational oversight, employer engagement, and performance management skills. You will support staff development, maintain high-quality service delivery, and ensure the team consistently achieves programme targets and IPS fidelity standards.
Working primarily within the community, you will manage a flexible diary while building strong partnerships with employers, healthcare professionals, and local stakeholders across Basingstoke, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, and Hayling Island.
 
Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead, motivate, and support a team of Employment Specialists to deliver high-quality, outcomes-focused employment support.
• Conduct regular supervisions, performance reviews, coaching, and development sessions.
• Monitor caseloads, KPIs, participant outcomes, and service quality standards.
• Support the team to achieve and exceed job outcome and sustainment targets.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.

• Ensure all delivery aligns with IPS fidelity standards and contractual expectations.
• Provide guidance and support around complex participant cases and employer engagement strategies.
• Monitor compliance, safeguarding, data quality, and participant record keeping.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and service innovation.
• Support audits, reporting requirements, and quality assurance processes.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, community organisations, healthcare teams, and referral partners.
• Promote inclusive recruitment practices and workplace adjustments.
• Represent the service at partnership meetings, local forums, and networking events.
• Support employer engagement activity to increase sustainable employment opportunities across Hampshire.

• Provide visible leadership across community locations throughout Hampshire.
• Manage team deployment and diary coordination to maximise participant engagement.
• Support the mobilisation and growth of the Connect to Work programme locally.
• Ensure staff wellbeing, resilience, and professional standards are maintained.

• Proven experience managing or leading teams within employability, welfare-to-work, supported employment, recruitment, or similar services.
• Strong understanding of supported employment principles and person-centred approaches.
• Experience managing performance against targets and quality standards.
• Ability to coach, motivate, and develop staff to achieve positive outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and employer engagement experience.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced community-based environment.
• Full UK driving licence with access to a vehicle

• Knowledge or experience of the IPS model.
• Experience supporting individuals with health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers.
• Understanding of vocational rehabilitation, welfare benefits, and employment legislation.
• Existing networks with employers or community partners across Hampshire.
• Experience managing publicly funded contracts or employability programmes.

• Competitive salary
• Flexible community-based working
• Supportive leadership environment
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Opportunity to shape and develop an impactful local service