Employer Engagement Lead - Connect to Work

Dyddiad hysbysebu:	13 Chwefror 2026
Cyflog:	£44,075 i £47,181 bob blwyddyn
Oriau:	Llawn Amser
Dyddiad cau:	27 Chwefror 2026
Lleoliad:	Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RQ
Cwmni:	West Sussex County Council
Math o swydd:	Cytundeb
Cyfeirnod swydd:	CPP01280_1770971138

Crynodeb

We are seeking an accomplished professional to join our team as an Employer Engagement Lead. In this influential role, you will champion the Connect to Work programme, develop and strengthen strategic partnerships, and work closely with the business community to drive positive change.

You will play a key role in influencing employers to support inclusive recruitment practices, helping to increase diversity and create meaningful employment opportunities across the West Sussex workforce.

Connect to Work is a national, government-funded initiative, aimed at empowering individuals facing barriers to finding employment across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

If you are eager to discover more about the Connect to Work programme and see how it can create life-changing opportunities by unlocking the world of work for people across West Sussex and Brighton and Hove, visit our Connect to Work Careers Page.

Salary: £44,075 to £47,181 per annum

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31 March 2029

Working Pattern: Full-time (37 hours per week)

Location: based at County Hall, West Street, Chichester PO19 1RQ with required countywide travel.

Interview Date: Thursday 12 March 2026

This role requires the successful candidate to travel throughout West Sussex for visits, working flexibly to meet the needs of the programme and participants.

Once-a-week attendance at your base location will be necessary, and there will be opportunities for remote work. Final arrangements will be confirmed with the successful candidate.

To work closely with clients and offer them the vital face-to-face support they deserve, you will need to be able to travel independently around the county, including to areas that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Pool cars and pool bikes available.

About the Job

Working as an Employment Engagement Lead promises to offer a unique experience each day, filled with unexpected challenges and rewards! There are several key responsibilities that will be integral to this role, including:

• Leading the strategic planning, design and delivery of Connect to Work's employer-facing engagement and will lead activity to expand the programme's reach, impact and reputation.
• Working through business support organisations and representative bodies, as well as leading direct engagement with key employers, to ensure our message is amplified across West Sussex.
• Exercise delegated budget responsibility for up to £20,000 per year, ensuring effective financial management, value for money, and alignment of expenditure with programme priorities.
• Supervisory leadership and coordination to a cohort of up to 30 Employment Advisors, ensuring employer demand is translated into well-matched, high-quality job opportunities for participants.
• Engage directly with employers to identify workforce challenges, shaping tailored recruitment and retention solutions that create meaningful, sustainable employment opportunities.
• Establish, build and lead strategic partnerships across employer networks, industry bodies, HR groups and business associations, acting as a senior representative of the programme and promoting our work to a wide range of stakeholders, including 'Cornerstone' employers.

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the community, then this role is perfect for you.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification, with a minimum of two years' experience in a comparable senior‑level role.
• Demonstrated experience in advising, coaching, or delivering tailored support, along with a strong understanding of the barriers faced by residents with complex needs.
• Proven experience in a supervisory role, with the ability to share expertise, upskill colleagues, and support the development of team members.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including experience building effective relationships with business owners, senior leaders, and strategic partners.
• Strong collaborative approach, with the ability to co‑design solutions alongside stakeholders, colleagues, and individuals with lived experience.
• Skilled in developing creative, targeted, and persuasive messaging for a range of audiences, in line with programme guidelines.
• A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset, with the ability to motivate and inspire others and champion the ambitions of the Connect to Work programme.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description attached.

Rewards and Benefits

We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance and are rewarded for the work they do.

A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 27 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 5 years' service (pro rata for part time) plus the opportunity to buy additional leave and an excellent local government pension scheme.

A range of discounts give our staff access to hundreds of offers; groceries, travel, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities, high street retailers and the opportunity to save over £1,000 a year through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.

For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CPP01280.

Click apply below, upload your CV and cover letter.

Your cover letter should:

• Outline your motivations for applying.
• Please include your preference for your preferred team, Refugees or Young People. Please note you are not required to submit a preference at this stage of the process.
• Explain the skills and experience you can bring to the role (please refer to the key skills in the attached job description).

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to right to work within the UK, enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, satisfactory references, and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.

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