Relationship Manager

We want to strengthen our team with a new Relationship Manager joining our Programmes team. The role will manage a number of our programmes and be the main point of contact for delivery partners on those programmes. Employer engagement is also a key activity for managing these programmes. Experience of managing employability programmes from implementation to close-down and a project management qualification are of particular interest to us.

Working closely with the other Relationship Managers you will ensure a high-quality and consistent supportive experience for our delivery partners. Flexible hybrid working is available, but it’s important that you are close to and can regularly travel across York, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire as and when required.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, a Mindful Employer, and an Age-Friendly Employer. Diversity of thought and experience strengthens our team, and we encourage applications from anyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We truly welcome applications from anyone who thinks they are a good fit for the role.

We encourage you to browse our website to find out more about us as an organisation, our current team members, our programmes, which are usually publicly funded (e.g. from the local authority or Mayoral Combined Authority), and our partners who are predominantly within the VCSE sector (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise).

Visit our website to download the full job description and person specification and to download our application form.

Job Description and Person Specification

The following are key points from the Job Description and Person Specification. Please download and read the full version from our website before applying.

Job description:

• Lead and manage strong working relationships with delivery partners, funders, and stakeholders
• Develop strategic employer relationships that create sustainable employment opportunities for participants
• Manage the performance, quality and compliance of employability programmes
• Liaise with external stakeholders to ensure programmes are embedded within wider strategies and activities
• Contribute to the ongoing development and sustainability of Better Connect

Person specification

• Experience of building effective relationships with a range of people
• Experience of managing projects or programmes within employability, skills, or similar provision.
• Experience of employer engagement and developing employment opportunities
• Understanding of employment initiatives such as supported employment and wage subsidy.
• Well-developed personal and networking skills and ability to build supportive professional relationships
• Ability to make judgements and recommendations in the context of complex systems and risk
• Demonstrable commitment and modelling of Better Connect’s values

The organisation

Better Connect is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to create a Yorkshire where everyone can thrive in their life and their work. We hold our values at the heart of everything we do, and the success of our programmes is due to the great people who work here and our partnerships of community-focussed organisations.

We believe that locally rooted organisations with a strong social mission who work in effective partnership with others have the biggest impact on individuals and communities. We exist to create those partnerships and unlock the potential of local organisations.

We have a strong track record and are well-regarded within the region. Our way of working, led by our values and represented by our kind, friendly and professional team, shows that truly collaborative partnership working can be life changing for the individuals our programmes support.

Why join the team

We are a professional, supportive, and welcoming team united by our shared vision and values. Our regular employee experience surveys consistently show that working here is fantastic.  At Better Connect, we want all members of our team to feel supported, valued and ultimately happy at work. We want people to feel empowered to be themselves and feel safe enough to do that whilst at work. We value everyone’s voice equally and aim to ensure that Better Connect is a place that represents everyone who works here.

Benefits of working at Better Connect include:

• Monthly Team Days, where we all get together to learn and have some fun. These are also often opportunities to collaborate and co-produce work.
• We know the value of a good work-life balance and have an effective flexible working policy to support this – including flexibility of start, finish and lunchtimes, hybrid working, and supportively considering formal flexible working requests.
• We receive a minimum of 26 days holiday (pro rata), which increases the longer you work at Better Connect. Bank holidays are in addition to this, meaning everyone gets at least 34 days off each year.
• Our Employee Assistance Programme provides access to a comprehensive package of wellbeing support including counselling, 24/7 helpline and wellbeing portal that also includes information about family and relationships, legal and financial matters.
• After 3 months of service, all staff are automatically enrolled in our pension scheme with the People’s Pension. The People’s Pension offers a range of investment options, including an ethical fund.
• We offer enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave to make it easier for team members who are welcoming a new addition to their family.

Visit our website to download the full job description and person specification and to download our application form.

How to apply

Ensure you have read the full job description and person specification on our website. Our website also includes information about how we can help you to do your best in this recruitment process.

Applications should be sent by email to Deborah Chaddock, Head of Operations, and you should check that you include the following:

• Your completed Application Form
• Details of any reasonable adjustments or arrangements that you may need during the recruitment process. In order for us to guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability meeting the minimum criteria, the Head of Operations does need to know about any disability at this stage.

All information will be stored confidentially, and only your anonymised Application Form will be shared with the panel prior to shortlisting.

Timeline

Deadline for applications: 9am Tuesday 1st September

Shortlisted candidates notified: Monday 7th September

Provisional interview date: Monday 14th September

There will be tasks relevant to the role to be completed by shortlisted candidates as part of the interview.