Job Category: Customer Support/Client Care
About the Role
This role exists because too many young people face barriers that are complex, personal and persistent. Mental health challenges, disrupted education, and low confidence can stall progress for years. Your job is to make sure this service does what it promises – consistently, safely and at scale across Essex.
What This Role Is Really About
This is about turning a contract into a lived experience that feels human and reliable.
It is about making sure young people are met with respect, not process.
And it is about holding high standards without losing compassion.
Outcomes matter here. So does how they are achieved.
You will lead a geographically dispersed service across Essex. You will work closely with delivery staff, partners, mental health services and local authorities. This is not a desk-only role. Presence matters. Relationships matter.
What You Will Do
- Lead the full operational delivery of Next Steps Essex
- Translate contract requirements into clear delivery plans
- Manage and develop a multi-disciplinary delivery team
- Ensure safeguarding, quality and data standards are met
- Track performance and act early where delivery drifts
- Build strong referral pathways with local partners
- Maintain commissioner confidence through clear reporting
- Use data and feedback to continuously improve the service
Employer / Stakeholder Element
You are the operational face of the programme for Get Set UK. You will lead performance discussions, manage risk transparently and contribute to service development conversations. Trust is built through follow-through.
What Makes Someone Successful Here
You stay calm when pressure rises.
You do not avoid difficult conversations.
You balance empathy with accountability.
You notice early signs of risk and act.
You create clarity where others feel overwhelmed.
Essential
- Experience leading employability, youth, education or mental health-related services
- Accountability for performance, KPIs or contracts
- Confidence working with commissioners and senior stakeholders
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Willingness to travel across Essex
Trainable
- Contract-specific systems and reporting
- Local referral landscape
- Internal Get Set UK processes
A Day in the Role
You might start with a performance check-in, noticing one locality slipping behind.
Mid-morning could be a supervision with a team lead, balancing support with clear expectations.
The afternoon may involve a partner meeting to unblock referrals.
Plans will change. Priorities will shift. Structure keeps the service steady.
What You Will Get From This Role
You will develop senior operational leadership experience.
You will be trusted with real responsibility.
You will be supported by an experienced operations structure.
You will gain transferable contract management and stakeholder skills.
You will be able to point to real outcomes you have delivered.
You will receive Vitality health support including GP, mental health and physio, IncentFit rewards up to £360 per year, access to an EAP, a pension with 5% employer contribution and increased annual leave with service.
Values
At Get Set UK, we are Ambitious, we take Pride in what we do, we are Considerate, we Own It and we Inspire. We are looking for people who bring these values to their work consistently.
Get Set for a better tomorrow – Apply today!
We reserve the right to close applications early, so we encourage early applications. Get Set UK is a Disability Confident and Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals and are committed to supporting physical and mental wellbeing at work. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process. This role is subject to satisfactory recruitment checks and a commitment to safeguarding learners and clients. Get Set UK does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies.
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