Palladium: Make It Possible
Employment Specialist – Connect to Work , Oxfordshire
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Employment Specialist – Connect to Work , Oxfordshire
Connect to Work – In Work Support Officer
Location The role will be based in either Banbury or Bicester, with regular travel across the local area throughout the week as part of a community-based project.
- Salary: £27,976 – £31,000 (dependent on experience)
- Travel expenses (beyond base commute) will be reimbursed.
About the Role
You will play a key role in helping individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or employment barriers secure and sustain meaningful work as part of the UK government’s Get Britain Working Strategy.
Responsibilities will span supporting candidates pre-employment, during onboarding, and ensuring long-term success in roles. This is a proactive, relationship-driven role with a significant focus on tailored employability support, employer engagement, and mentorship.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Championing & Employment Support
- Actively promote customers to employers, raising awareness of their skills and the programme’s support.
- Develop and implement individualised action plans for each customer, ensuring targeted activities align with their needs.
- Conduct regular check-ins (pre-employment and in-employment) to track progress and provide guidance.
- Advocate for customers in employer interactions, fostering inclusive and positive recruitment experiences.
Employment & In-Work Engagement
- Build employer relationships to establish potential job opportunities.
- Facilitate work experiences (e.g., placements, trials, and shadowing) with suitable employers.
- Provide ongoing In Work Support to sustain employees in their roles, collaborating with employers.
- Address personal/hurdles to employment—offering coaching, capabilities-specific training, and confidence-building.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Workforce & Operational Support
- Liaise with the team to identify and recommend suitable employment or training options for customers.
- Maintain high-quality customer records to meet compliance and quality standards.
- Develop expertise in local/specialist signposting services (e.g., disability, housing, benefits).
Performance & Collaboration
- Achieve personal performance targets, KPIs, and reporting milestones.
- Partner with Enterprise Oxfordshire and other stakeholders to deliver cohesive support.
Key Skills & Requirements
Essential
- A passion for working with people facing career challenges (e.g., disabilities/health conditions).
- Experience providing 1:1 support or coaching, including constructive challenge.
- Strong networking and partnership-building skills to help customers achieve goals.
- Flexible working hours, including occasional evenings/weekends as needed.
- Exceptional organisation skills, including managing caseloads.
- Understanding of safeguarding, data protection, and confidentiality.
Desirable
- Driving licence (car access essential for community-based delivery).
- Proven track record in helping individuals progress into employment.
- Knowledge of supported employment models (e.g., IPS).
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience in high-performing customer service, case management, or sales roles.
- Experience with welfare/benefits guidance and awareness of mental/physical health challenges.
Core Competencies
✅ Creative problem-solving ✅ Motivation and inspiring action ✅ Proactive and solution-focused mindset ✅ Exceptional communication skills ✅ Approachable, empathetic, and adaptable personality ✅ Results-driven with strong prioritisation skills ✅ Compassionate, driven to make a positive impact
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
About Connect to Work
A UK government initiative that supports vulnerable groups by tailoring employment strategies (e.g., IPS, Supported Employment). Delivery is localised, working with partners to embed community trust. Customers self-refer or are referred through professionals.
About Palladium
A global positive impact organisation (worth £200m+ turnover) operating in 70+ countries with 3,000 staff. Specialises in employment programmes, socio-economic development, and complex service delivery, including 30 UK government contracts.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to equality and actively seeks diverse candidates. As a Disability Confident employer, disability-adjusted interview processes are in place.
If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability or access needs, please let us know.
Safeguarding
A core component of all roles. Selection includes enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding-focused interviews.
Palladium adheres to the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme—applicants acknowledge understanding during the recruitment process.*
Remuneration & Benefits
- Real Living Wage Employer: Fair, competitive salary aligned with government social purpose sector standards.
- Flexible working frameworks, alongside ongoing professional development.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location