Senior Employment Specialist (IPS)

Exciting Leadership Opportunity: Senior Employment Specialist (IPS)

Agency: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

Client: Change Grow Live (CGL) - South West London Employment Service

Location: South West London (Traveling across Merton, Kingston, Sutton, Richmond, and Wandsworth)

Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £35,220.59 - £37,184.90 Per Annum + Inner London Weighting (£4,236.47) (CGL points 31 to 33)

Closing Date: 25th October 2026

About the Role

Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency is proud to partner with Change Grow Live (CGL) to recruit an experienced, inspirational manager for a permanent Senior Employment Specialist (Individual Placement and Support - IPS) role within their South West London Employment Service.

In this vital leadership role, you will lead a talented team of Employment Specialists supporting individuals to identify their strengths, ambitions, and goals to achieve sustainable employment. While you will maintain a small frontline caseload to stay connected to delivery, the core of this role focuses on people leadership, building inclusive teams, fostering a culture of high standards, and collaborating with local employers and stakeholders across multiple boroughs.

Key Responsibilities

• People Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and develop a team of Employment Specialists, balancing support with accountability to ensure excellence in service delivery.

• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with employers, local partners, and health/social care colleagues across Merton, Kingston, Sutton, Richmond, and Wandsworth.

• Service Quality & Performance: Drive high standards, manage service performance, and ensure support is ambitious, responsive, and person-centered.

• Caseload Maintenance: Maintain a small caseload to stay grounded in frontline practice while championing continuous improvement and professional development across the team.

Essential Criteria

• Leadership Experience: Proven background as a Team Leader, Deputy Manager, or in a similar leadership role managing staff, driving performance, and leading quality services.

• Sector Background: Experience within employment services, health, wellbeing, social care, substance use services, or other people-centred environments.

• Core Competencies: Exceptional communication, coaching, and people-development skills, paired with a strong commitment to empowerment and social inclusion.

• Requirements: Proactive and resilient team builder. Must hold the legal Right to Work in the UK (note: this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check).

Key Benefits & Perks

• Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by 1 extra day for each year of service during the first five years (up to 30 days).

• Wellbeing Support: Paid weekly 'Wellness' hour, access to a dedicated Wellness Hub, and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

• Financial & Career Support: Contributory pension scheme, extensive training, career progression pathways, and a generous refer-a-friend scheme.

Key Dates & Next Steps

• Closing Date for Applications: 25th October 2026

Note: Change Grow Live reserves the right to close this vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received. Early application is strongly recommended.