Delivery and Partnership Manager

Delivery and Partnership Manager Chelmsford, CM1 1HT Contract Type: Full Time Salary: £40000 - £50000 Working Hours: 35 Job Category: Education/Training/Instruction 01/11/2026 - 9 days remaining Apply for this job

Job Introduction

Delivery and Partnership Manager - Essex IPS SMI (Work Your Way)
Lead the delivery. Strengthen the partnerships. Improve employment outcomes.

Employment can play a powerful part in mental health recovery. But delivering effective employment support takes more than good intentions. It requires strong operational leadership, integrated clinical partnerships and consistent performance.

As Delivery and Partnership Manager for Work Your Way, you'll oversee IPS employment services supporting people experiencing severe mental illness across Essex.

You'll lead Team Leaders, manage subcontracted delivery, work closely with NHS mental health services and take responsibility for contractual performance, quality and IPS fidelity. This is a countywide role combining people leadership, performance accountability and partnership management.

This is an Essex-based, countywide operational role requiring regular in-person engagement with delivery teams, NHS services and subcontracted partners. It is not a remote management position.

You will need established knowledge of the Essex area and the ability to travel reliably between delivery locations. Please consider the practical demands of regular countywide travel before applying.

Before you apply: the essentials

To be considered, your CV and application must clearly demonstrate:

• Experience managing operational teams or Team Leaders within IPS, mental health employment support, employability or related services, with evidence of performance improvement.
• Experience managing subcontractors or supply chain partners, including monitoring contractual performance, managing relationships and addressing underperformance.
• Good working knowledge of IPS principles and fidelity, alongside an understanding of severe mental illness and barriers to sustainable employment.
• Experience working collaboratively with NHS mental health services, clinical teams or other health partners to improve service delivery.
• Evidence of managing contractual KPIs, employment outcomes and quality standards, using performance information to identify risks and take corrective action.
• Experience coaching and developing others, setting clear expectations and managing difficult performance conversations.
• Evidence of commitment, reliability and consistently delivering high standards of work, including agreed objectives and measurable results.
• Confident working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and performance reporting systems, with the ability to learn other digital platforms.
• Ability to present your recent employment history clearly, including explaining gaps or short-term roles during the previous five years.
• Strong working knowledge of Essex, including its geography, local communities, NHS mental health services and employment support networks, together with the ability to travel reliably across the county to meet the operational demands of the role.

Useful, but not essential

• Direct involvement in IPS fidelity reviews and subsequent improvement planning.
• Experience supporting IPS services specifically for people experiencing severe mental illness.
• Knowledge of Essex mental health services, referral pathways and local employment networks.

The real job

You'll be responsible for making sure employment support works consistently across internal teams and subcontracted services.

You'll lead allocated Team Leaders, review performance, coach managers and address issues before they affect participants or contractual outcomes.

You'll monitor referrals, caseloads, waiting times, job starts and sustained employment. When performance falls behind, you'll investigate why, agree practical improvements and follow through.

Partnership management is equally important. You'll hold subcontractors accountable for performance and quality while maintaining constructive working relationships.

You'll work with NHS clinical teams, commissioners and delivery partners to strengthen referral pathways and integrate employment support with mental health treatment.

IPS fidelity is a core responsibility. You'll prepare for and participate in fidelity reviews, coordinate evidence and ensure improvement actions lead to meaningful changes in delivery.

You'll also maintain oversight of safeguarding, contractual compliance, service risks and accurate reporting.

What success looks like

Your teams and delivery partners understand their expectations and consistently work towards contractual employment outcomes.

NHS partnerships support effective referrals and integrated employment provision.

IPS fidelity reviews lead to sustained improvements, not simply completed action plans.

Team Leaders receive effective coaching, underperformance is addressed and participants receive consistent, recovery-focused support.

The working reality

This is an operational management role with accountability for people, performance, partnerships and service quality.

You'll work across Essex, engaging directly with teams, NHS services and subcontractors. Regular countywide travel is part of the role.

The balance between managing internal teams and subcontracted provision may change as the service develops.

You'll need to challenge performance constructively, resolve competing priorities and maintain effective relationships when difficult decisions are required.

What you get

• 25 days' annual leave, increasing with service.
• Vitality health and wellbeing support, including GP services, mental health support and physiotherapy.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, including up to six counselling sessions a year and legal, financial and debt guidance.
• Workplace pension, with salary sacrifice available subject to eligibility and scheme rules.
  Share buy scheme.
• Up to £360 a year through IncentFit for eligible activities.
• Wellbeing, retail, fitness, travel and mobile discounts, including 20% off eligible EE mobile plans.

About Get Set UK

Get Set UK delivers employment, skills, apprenticeships, health and justice services, helping people overcome barriers and progress towards meaningful, sustainab