Manchester City Council
2 x Work and Skills Officer

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Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: 2 x Full-Time, Temporary (1 x until 31st March 2029 and 1 x 12 months maternity cover)
Closing Date: 17th August 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action
Work & Skills Officer (Integrated Settlement) - Fixed Term Until 31 March 2029
From April 2025, the Integrated Settlement funding deal for Greater Manchester came into effect, replacing various separate funding pots, therefore allowing increased flexibility for local authorities to invest in local priorities.
As Work & Skills Officer (Integrated Settlement), you will work across a range of programmes and projects delivered in Manchester under the Integrated Settlement deal, including the Economic Activity Trailblazer, which align with the Government's aim of achieving an 80% employment rate as set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper.
The role will support the project and contract management of these programmes, as well as wider programmes, such as the Refugee Welcome Programme. Project management, communication, data analysis and organisation are the key skills required to be successful in this role.
The post will be managed by a Work and Skills Specialist.
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Lauren Calderbank, by emailing: lauren.calderbank@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
Essential Requirements for the Role:
- Experience of working in the context of Work & Skills initiatives
- Strong data analysis skills to produce reports, identify trends and risks, and inform decision-making
- Project Management skills to develop and monitor project progress
- Communication skills to liaise with and support various providers
- ICT Skills, including familiarity with Microsoft 365
- Excellent organisation and time management skills
- Stakeholder Management skills to promote partnership working and the sharing of best practice
Desirable Requirements:
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel
- Experience in the Contract Management of Work & Skills/Employability Programmes
- Experience of working with/in the context of Refugees and People Seeking Asylum
Work & Skills Officer - 12 months fixed term maternity cover
Working locations: Town Hall Extension and off site at locations primarily in North Manchester, with some working in South Manchester.
As a Work & Skills Officer, you will lead and support a diverse portfolio of projects that connect businesses, communities and residents to opportunities for growth and prosperity. The role will involve managing commissioned contracts that strengthen Manchester's Social Economy sector, coordinating business engagement activity through the North Manchester Business Network, and supporting initiatives that inspire future generations through careers education in local primary schools.
You will also play a key role in delivering Manchester's Living Wage City ambitions, working with employers and partners to promote good employment practices, coordinate communications and events, and encourage wider adoption of the Real Living Wage. In addition, you will support the delivery of Manchester's Economic Development and Regeneration Flexible Grants Programme, including project monitoring, performance reporting and stakeholder engagement.
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This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys building strong partnerships, managing projects, analysing information, and making a tangible contribution to Manchester's economic and social objectives
For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring managers, Lauren Calderbank (Lauren.calderbank@manchester.gov.uk) for the three year role and Rhianne Sweeney (rhianne.sweeney@manchester.gov.uk) for the maternity cover to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.
Essential Requirements for the Role:
- Experience of working within economic development, business support or employment and skills.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and deliver against deadlines.
- Experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with businesses, partners and stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to develop engaging content, organise events and present information clearly to a range of audiences.
- Strong analytical skills, including experience of monitoring performance, evaluating outcomes and producing reports.
- Experience of contract or programme management, including monitoring delivery against agreed objectives.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Strong ICT skills
Desirable Requirements:
- Knowledge of Manchester's economic development, business growth and regeneration priorities.
- Experience of supporting business networks and employer engagement activities.
- Knowledge of the Social Economy sector and community wealth building approaches.
- Experience of managing grant-funded programmes and reporting requirements.
- Understanding of good employment practices, including the Real Living Wage and wider inclusive employment agendas.
- Experience of organising stakeholder engagement events, workshops or communications campaigns.
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester is our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits We Offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.


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Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Requirements
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
- Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
- If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
- Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.
What We Will Need From You If You're Successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled
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