About Groundwork West Midlands

Groundwork West Midlands is a well-established community-focused charity dedicated to transforming lives across the West Midlands region. With decades of experience delivering employment support programmes, community regeneration projects, and youth services, Groundwork has built a strong reputation for creating lasting social impact in some of the region's most disadvantaged communities. The organisation works in close partnership with local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, housing associations, employers, and training providers to deliver holistic support that addresses the root causes of unemployment and social exclusion.

The Role: Employability Coach

Groundwork West Midlands is seeking a dedicated and resilient Employability Coach to join our busy delivery teams operating across Dudley and Halesowen. This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week, offering a competitive salary of £29,958 per annum. You will be at the frontline of our employment services, working directly with individuals who face significant and often complex barriers to finding and sustaining meaningful employment. This is a target-driven role that demands both compassion and commercial awareness. You will be expected to manage a substantial caseload of participants, supporting them through their entire journey—from initial engagement and assessment through to job entry, in-work support, and progression. Success in this role is measured not only by job outcomes achieved but also by the quality of the participant experience and the strength of employer partnerships you cultivate.

Key Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of up to 45–60 active participants at any given time, delivering personalised employability support that addresses individual barriers including long-term unemployment, mental health conditions, criminal records, substance misuse, housing instability, and limited English language skills.
Conduct comprehensive initial assessments using recognised employability frameworks, developing tailored action plans with SMART goals that are reviewed and updated at regular intervals throughout the participant journey.
Deliver one-to-one coaching sessions and group workshops covering CV writing, interview preparation, application completion, personal presentation, workplace communication, and digital literacy skills essential for modern job searching.
Build and maintain a robust network of employer contacts across Dudley, Halesowen, and the wider West Midlands area, proactively sourcing real job vacancies and negotiating referrals and interviews for programme participants.
Support participants with benefit entitlements advice, signposting to specialist services including housing support, debt counselling, mental health provision, and substance misuse treatment where appropriate.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date participant records on internal case management systems and government databases, ensuring all data meets compliance standards for funder reporting and audit purposes.
Achieve monthly and quarterly job outcome targets aligned with programme KPIs, actively contributing to the team's overall performance against contracted delivery profiles.
Provide in-work support to participants during their first three months of employment, offering guidance on workplace issues and signposting to additional training or advancement opportunities to promote sustained job retention.
Represent Groundwork West Midlands at employer engagement events, job fairs, and community networking opportunities, promoting the organisation's services and building referral pathways with partner agencies.
Collaborate with colleagues across the wider Groundwork network and with external partners including the DWP, local authority commissioned services, and voluntary sector organisations to ensure coordinated and effective support for participants.

Work Environment and Culture

You will be based across our delivery hubs in Dudley and Halesowen, with some flexibility for home working where the role permits. The position involves regular travel between sites, outreach sessions in community venues, and visits to employer premises. Groundwork West Midlands fosters a supportive, purpose-driven working culture where the wellbeing of staff is taken seriously alongside the delivery of ambitious targets. You will receive regular line management supervision, access to ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to contribute to service design and improvement initiatives. The team is collaborative and passionate, united by a shared commitment to social justice and community empowerment.

Requirements

Demonstrable experience of delivering employability support, advice, or guidance to unemployed young people and adults, ideally within a contracted or funded programme environment.
Proven ability to manage a busy and varied caseload, prioritising effectively to meet multiple deadlines and performance targets simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those who are disengaged, reluctant, or facing complex personal challenges.
Experience of employer engagement or business development activities, including cold calling, relationship management, and vacancy sourcing.
Good understanding of the local labour market in the West Midlands, including key employment sectors, skills gaps, and employer needs in the Dudley and Halesowen areas.
Competent IT skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and experience using CRM or case management systems such as EBS, InFORM, or equivalent platforms.
Level 2 qualification in Advice & Guidance or equivalent, or willingness to work towards one. A relevant qualification in careers guidance, community development, or a related discipline is desirable.
Willingness to undergo an Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) — this is a mandatory requirement for the role. Groundwork West Midlands will cover the cost of the DBS application.
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with appropriate business insurance for travel between sites and employer visits.
Resilience, self-motivation, and a genuine passion for making a tangible difference in people's lives through employment support.

Benefits and Compensation

Salary of £29,958 per annum paid monthly
37 hours per week with a blend of office-based and community-based working
Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays
Pension scheme with employer contribution
Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential wellbeing support
Regular professional development and training opportunities, including access to relevant sector qualifications
Supportive team environment with structured supervision and peer learning
The opportunity to work for a respected charity with a proud track record of transforming communities across the West Midlands

Career Growth

Groundwork West Midlands is committed to internal progression and professional development. Employability Coaches who demonstrate strong performance and leadership potential can progress into Senior Coach, Team Leader, or Programme Manager roles. There are also opportunities to specialise in areas such as employer engagement, partnership development, or mentoring coordination. Groundwork operates across multiple local authority areas within the West Midlands, and internal vacancies are shared openly to support career mobility.

How to Apply and Hiring Process

Applications must be submitted via the official application link by Friday 22nd May 2026. Please note that this vacancy may close early if a high volume of suitable applications is received, so early submission is strongly encouraged. The application process involves submission of a CV and a supporting statement demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the requirements outlined above. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a competency-based interview, which may include a short presentation or scenario exercise. A conditional offer will be subject to satisfactory references and completion of the Enhanced DBS check. If you are ready to take the next step in a rewarding career that truly changes lives, apply today and join a team where your work every day makes a visible difference in Dudley and Halesowen.