Work Experience Team Leader

Job Details

We’re looking for an organised, proactive and relationship-focused Work Experience Team Leader to help lead the delivery of USP College’s work experience and industry placement programme across both campuses.

You’ll help ensure every learner can access meaningful, high-quality placement opportunities that support their career ambitions and build their confidence for the workplace. You’ll lead a team of Employment Skills Advisors and Industry Placement Advisors, work closely with curriculum and careers colleagues, and develop strong partnerships with local employers.

This is a varied role where you’ll combine team leadership, employer engagement, learner support and operational planning. You’ll play an important part in helping students take their next steps into employment, apprenticeships and further training.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead and support the Work Experience team

Line manage Employment Skills Advisors and Industry Placement Advisors across both campuses, including supervision, appraisals, workload allocation, absence planning and professional development.

Coordinate work experience and industry placements

Plan, maintain and oversee the annual work experience schedule, ensuring placements are organised effectively around curriculum requirements, college events, exams and learner needs.

Manage team performance and targets

Set, monitor and report on team targets for work experience and industry placements, identifying risks, resolving barriers and escalating concerns where needed.

Build employer partnerships

Develop and maintain strong relationships with local employers and organisations to create work experience, industry placement, apprenticeship and employment opportunities.

Match learners to suitable opportunities

Support the effective matching of students to placements, taking account of their career goals, skills, location, support needs and employer requirements.

Work collaboratively across the College

Partner with Heads of Learning, curriculum teams, Progress Coaches, Student Support Services and the Careers Team to provide a consistent, high-quality service for learners and employers.

Ensure safe, compliant and accurate delivery

Make sure appropriate safeguarding, DBS, health and safety, employer liability and placement checks are completed. Maintain accurate records on Grofar, the College CRM and other internal systems, including data required for funding returns.

Promote employability and celebrate success

Deliver information sessions, workshops and training for students, staff, parents and employers. Support learners with CVs, applications, job searching and interview preparation, while sharing placement success stories to raise the profile of the programme.

What You'll Bring

You’ll have experience of leading or supervising a team, alongside a strong understanding of work experience, industry placements, employability or employer engagement. You’ll be confident communicating with a wide range of people and able to build positive relationships quickly.

You’ll also be highly organised, comfortable managing competing priorities and committed to delivering an excellent service for learners, employers and colleagues. A sound understanding of safeguarding, health and safety and data recording in a further education setting would be an advantage.

The Right Candidate Will Have

Essential

A good all round standard of education, particularly in English and Communications

Willingness to undertake IOSH & HSS8 qualifications as required

Sound knowledge and understanding of issues relating to work experience placements, work trails and employment recruitment practices in a FE college.

A sound knowledge of Health & Safety within the workplace

Knowledge and understanding of local labour market opportunities and of local/national trends in relation to USP College

Desirable

ILM Management Qualification or equivalent

IOSH Management of Health & Safety Qualification

HSS8 (formerly Unit ‘D’) Qualification

Why choose us?

Our strategy is to create a Career Focused, Digital Learning environment, ensuring that the learner experience and our relationship within our community, local and regional employers, are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be selected as finalists for the AoC Beacon awards for effective use of digital Technology in FE. Providing a high achieving, focused learning environment allowing our students to achieve the grades they need for higher educations, or the skills and aptitude required to secure a suitable role in their chosen career. Our college is set in the leafy suburbs of Essex, with easy access to surrounding areas and amenities, we are based in a well-connected location both by road and rail.

What we offer

A dedicated and friendly team of professionals who are keen to develop and learn

Excellent pension provision

Annual Staff Awards

CPD days - opportunities to grow and development through mentorship and coaching

Free onsite parking

Staff appreciation days

Eye care vouchers

Onsite Starbucks & Restaurant

Well-being days & activities

Electric Vehicle Scheme*

Discounted gym membership

Hybrid Working available

Fully immersive teaching rooms allow simultaneous online teaching at multiple locations

Free Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7, 365 days offering legal & financial advice, as well as general support & guidance

* subject to terms & conditions