About NOW Group
NOW Group is an award-winning social enterprise operating across Belfast and Dublin. We are committed to working with individuals and businesses to unlock potential and create meaningful, lasting change across the island of Ireland.
Our work focuses on supporting people who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have a learning disability, helping them to build skills and progress into sustainable, future-focused employment. Through tailored training programmes, inclusive job opportunities, and community-based support, we empower individuals to achieve their goals and thrive in the workplace.
The Role
As Director of Services & Partnerships you will position NOW Group as a sustainable lead provider of services for people who are neurodiverse, have learning difficulties or intellectual disabilities, by generating income streams from funding, philanthropy, tenders and growth of social enterprise revenue.
Your expertise will ensure that we deliver a world class participant experience and support them to meet their full potential, in line with the organisation strategic vision and objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1.Drive organisational growth by strengthening existing revenue streams while proactively developing new and sustainable income opportunities.
2.Identify, evaluate and cultivate high-value business opportunities that expand diversified income and elevate NOW Groups profile across all operating regions.
3.Build, manage and optimise strategic partnerships and stakeholder relationships to advance organisational objectives, influence systems, and maximise impact.
4.Oversee the monitoring, analysis and strategic reporting of income diversification, participant outcomes and labour-market intelligence to inform organisational planning and decision-making.
5.Provide strategic leadership for future employability initiatives, identifying new funding opportunities and acting as a positive policy disruptor to shape and influence the wider employability landscape.
6.Lead, mentor and develop the Head of Services (NI) to drive high performance, uphold service excellence and deliver on strategic organisational priorities.
7.Actively contribute to the Executive/Leadership Team, shaping strategic direction, organisational culture and long-term sustainability.
8.Implement a robust performance-management approach to continuously monitor, evaluate and enhance team effectiveness, accountability and outcomes.
9.Champion high-quality safeguarding practice across all services and provide strategic leadership in fulfilling Safeguarding Champion responsibilities.
What We Offer
At NOW Group, we value and invest in our employees. Benefits include:
- Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
- Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to confidential counselling and financial advisory services.
- Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
- Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.
Our Values:
We are looking for candidates who align with NOW Groups values, demonstrating flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to empowering participants. Successful candidates will exhibit a passion for social change and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, stakeholders, and colleagues.
About The Role
Additional Information
- Successful candidates will undergo an Enhanced AccessNI disclosure check.
- NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. A copy of our safeguarding and recruitment policies is available upon request.
Join us at NOW Group and make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning difficulties and autism. Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future.
Required Criteria
- 1. A full current driving licence and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a licence.
- 2. 3rd level qualification in a relevant discipline.
- 3. At least 2 years experience; ? negotiating contracts and SLAs with funders; ? producing monitoring reports for a range of service level agreements; ? programme management including direct accountability to funders; ? working at senior management level.
- 4. At least 2 years’ experience of managing a budget.
- 5. At least 2 years experience of income generation related to service provision.
- 6. Strong experience of liaising with employers and building networks.
- 7. Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite.
Desired Criteria
- 1. At least 1 years’ experience of managing an government funded employment & training programme.
- 2. At least 1 years’ experience of taking a lead role in ETI inspections, self-evaluation and quality improvement processes.
- 3. Experience of safeguarding, with a clear understanding of policies, procedures, and responsibilities in protecting vulnerable individuals.
Skills Needed
About The Company
At the heart of the NOW Groups mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.
One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (Just A Minute) Card -a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. Its a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.
The NOW Groups impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.
Company Culture
At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. Its built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism intosustainable employment.
We dont just work side by side we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and its our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.
In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These arent just statistics each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.
What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They dont see targets they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.
Company Benefits
Benefits at NOW Group
NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.
We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.
To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.
Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.
Vacation, Paid time off, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities
Salary
£51,500.00 – £66,950.00 per year
Benefits:Vacation, Paid time off Cycle to work Competitive salary Long service recognition Hybrid Working On the job learning
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