Location: Forward Leeds (Kirkgate, Irford House & Armley hubs), Leeds
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030 - £41,980

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band. 

About Waythrough 

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. 

 

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community 

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. 

About the Role

As IPS Manager, you will lead a team of three Employment Specialists delivering IPS support across Forward Leeds hubs in Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley.

You will provide supervision, coaching and performance management while also holding a small caseload of service users.

You will ensure the service meets IPS fidelity standards, delivers strong employment outcomes, and maintains effective relationships with key partners including DWP, employers and commissioners.

You will also take responsibility for service coordination across multiple sites, ensuring consistency, quality and strong operational delivery.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and manage a team of 3 Employment Specialists, providing supervision, PDRs, caseload support and performance management

• Deliver and maintain a high-fidelity IPS service aligned to best practice standards

• Manage a small caseload of service users, supporting them into sustainable employment

• Work across three Forward Leeds hubs (Kirkgate, Irford House and Armley) to ensure consistent service delivery

• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, including developing access to the hidden labour market

• Maintain and develop relationships with key partners including DWP and other external agencies

• Lead weekly caseload review meetings and support team performance against outcomes and targets (including 60% community-based engagement target for appointments)

• Produce performance reports and updates for internal stakeholders, commissioners and partners

• Coordinate and support delivery of short vocational courses such as CSCS and other employability programmes

• Support the management and dissemination of IPS petty cash, ensuring accurate records and compliance with finance processes

• Liaise with finance teams to support annual budgeting and monitoring processes

• Ensure quality assurance through service user feedback, co-production and continuous improvement

• Lead on event coordination and employer engagement activities (e.g. BID Construction events, Elland Road employer events)

• Deliver presentations to a range of audiences including staff teams, employers, partners and external stakeholders

• Use digital platforms effectively (Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint and other virtual delivery tools)

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need

• Experience working in employment services, supported employment, substance use, health, social care or voluntary sector settings

• Proven experience of managing staff and performance (including supervision and PDRs)

• Strong leadership, motivational and coaching skills

• Experience building relationships with employers and external stakeholders

• Strong understanding of IPS principles and supported employment approaches

• Experience managing targets, caseloads and reporting performance data

• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities across different sites

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams and digital communication tools

• Level 3 qualification in Employability Services, Advice & Guidance or equivalent experience

Desirable Experience

• Formal training in IPS model

• Experience delivering employability training or short courses

• Experience working with DWP or similar employment partnership programmes

• Event coordination or employer engagement event delivery experience

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)

• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%

• Life assurance (3× annual salary)

• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay

• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave

• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications

• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme

• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals

• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus

• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership

• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good

• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility 

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. 

 

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme  - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

 

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [email protected] 

Closing Date:

2026-06-28