Birmingham City Council
Careers and Participation Service Lead
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Careers and Participation Service Lead
Permanent - Post 16 Service Lead
Grade 6 – £54,495–£64,811 (Consultation grade subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review)
Working: 36.5 hours per week
About the Role
Following a restructure, Birmingham City Council is creating a new Post 16 Service Lead role in their Children and Families Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver strategic leadership for statutory Post 16 delivery, ensuring vulnerable young people, including those with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), can access education, employment, and training pathways.
The role will:
- Develop a citywide Post 16 Strategy, aligning with statutory duties and maximising resources
- Collaborate with skills services, education providers, statutory partners, and voluntary/community organisations
- Strengthen partnerships to improve outcomes for young people and families
Working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, this position will lead meaningful change to support young people transitioning to adulthood.
Key Responsibilities
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Strategic Leadership & Delivery
- Lead the Post 16 service and its designated teams, setting clear priorities, performance targets, and operational delivery mechanisms.
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Citywide Strategy Development
- Develop and implement a Post 16 Strategy that enhances statutory compliance, service quality, and resources.
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Partnership Working
- Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, colleges, training providers, and statutory/voluntary sector partners.
- Work closely with the Skills and Employability Service to improve pathways and participation.
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Financial & Operational Management
- Oversee budget management while ensuring adherence to Council financial regulations.
- Maximise performance, improve services, and drive governance, risk and change initiatives.
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Leadership & Cultural Influence
- Foster an inclusive, improvement-minded environment through clear communication, delegation, and workforce development.
- Translate strategic priorities into measurable improvements in young people’s access to education and employment.
Requirements
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Leadership at a graduate/directorate level (or equivalent experience)
- Track record in leading teams, managing budgets and resources, improving services
- Skills in policy/strategy development, risk management, and delivering complex projects
- Fit for management under financial and governance frameworks
Key Attributes
- Strategic thinker with clear delivery focus
- Demonstrated communication, negotiation, and influencing skills
- Capable of engaging diverse stakeholders and translating strategic visions into action
- Strong ability to prioritise, manage competition, and work within legislative boundaries
- Comfortable adapting services in a changing environment
Additional Considerations
- Application must include:
- Up-to-date CV
- Supporting Statement (max 1500 words) outlining:
- How your skills, experience, and personal qualities align with the role
- Your motivation for applying
- Without these documents, the application will not be considered.
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Why Join Us?
This is a critical opportunity to shape Birmingham’s Post 16 support future, particularly during a time of service transformation. Leadership of this role will drive:
- Increased partnership working across public, voluntary and education sectors.
- Improved outcomes for children, young people, and families through better alignment.
- Enhanced citywide collaboration ensuring young adults have pathways to learning and employment.
As Post 16 Service Lead, your vision will be vital in establishing and delivering a comprehensive, co-ordinated system of support.
Organization Commitments
Diversity & Inclusion
- Active commitment to a diverse workforce that reflects Birmingham’s communities.
- Use of positive action to ensure diverse shortlists.
- Longer recruitment periods to promote inclusion.
Disability & Inclusion
- Accredited Disability Confident Leader, ensuring inclusive recruitment.
Support & Accessibility
- Reasonable adjustments for applicantsolutely encouraged. Contact the Resourcing Team with any needs.
Safeguarding
- All employees/volunteers must share the Council’s safeguarding commitment.
Verification Required:
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Proof of Right to Work in the UK
For informal enquiries: Contact the Resourcing Team.
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