Operations Manager, Refugee Employability

Project Overview and Role:

The Refugee Employability Programme is a new initiative that offers enhanced support to defined cohorts of legally recognised refugees in the UK. Starting in July 2023, the programme will provide tailored support for each participant focussed on gaining sustainable employment. Palladium will work with employers, local government, and other partners to ensure that individuals are fully supported with their employment and integration in UK society. The programme includes delivery of employability-focussed English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) tuition for some of the cohorts.

Palladium is responsible for delivering the programme in the South East of England.

As Operations Manager, you will lead the team in the successful delivery the delivery of the programme, ensuring that customers receive an excellent service which is compliant with all Home Office requirements .

Your responsibilities will include:

Lead the teams under their line management, providing coaching and performance management to direct reports. Ensuring that coaching and performance management are in place consistently for all employees working on the Refugee Employability Programme.
Hold accountability for supply chain performance, building strong and effective working relationships with suppliers and ensuring that the necessary operational processes are in place and working well.
Oversee quality monitoring of tasks and processes as well as governance related to delivery; work with the Quality and Compliance Manager to put plans in place to address any areas for improvement.
Oversee integration of the ESOL tuition in the service provision; working with the ESOL Manager to continually improve the service.
Champion and maintain high standards of integrity and conduct on the programme, with a particular focus on embedding safeguarding best practice across the team.
Accurately forecast performance against targets monthly, and proactively ensure contract compliance by addressing any shortfalls in either performance, process or capacity (staffing levels).
Recruit, train and coach staff, ensuring that the whole team is sufficiently equipped to achieve their targets.
Hold the primary relationship with the Home Office for operational matters.
Build relationships with wider stakeholder groups to ensure the effective delivery of the service. This includes supporting the processes for co-location of services, accessing Adult Education Budget-funded training for service users, collaborating with local third sector organisations and engaging with employers.

Required Qualifications:

Required

Experience in a responsible management position in a comparable sector in the UK, with remote or geographically dispersed teams
Experience in running an operation to deliver stretching contractual performance targets or Service Level Agreements and the ability to analyse and use data to drive performance
Proven skills in delivering operational performance through a supply chain alongside an in-house team
Experience in launching new support programmes, including the early phases of system configuration, office set-up, recruitment, and supply chain mobilisation
Strong influencing and engagement skills, with experience of building lasting and effective working relationships with a wide variety of external stakeholders
A level of independence and professionalism to take the lead as needed

Desirable

Leadership of a contract or programme in the field of employability, integration, refugee support or ESOL
Exposure to the challenges experienced by refugees or asylum seekers, or personal lived experience

Key competencies:

Taking responsibility, driving tasks through to completion and achieving results
Ability to motivate, challenge and inspire
Proactive and solution focused, bringing both creativity and practicality to bear
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Use of management information to inform and drive performance improvement
Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills
The determination and drive to make a positive difference.

Location and compensation

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation that you would spend a minimum of three days a week in Palladium's Southampton offices and / or with the team on location for this contract.

You will be required to travel to manage colleagues responsible for meeting and supporting customers. Your base office with be in Southampton, and travel costs for larger distances to other locations will be reimbursed by Palladium.
You will receive a salary in the range 50,000 – 60,000 GBP per annum, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package including private health insurance and up to 10% employer pension contributions.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply early if you would like to discuss this role with us.

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.