Job title: Partnership Development Coordinator

Salary: PO3 £41,511 - £44,711

Hours: 37

Contract: Fixed term -2 years from start date

Location: Kernel House and Merrion House

As a Partnership Development Coordinator, you’ll thrive on developing strategic partnerships with Child Friendly Leeds ambassador organisations. You’ll be passionate about building strong and lasting relationships with partners across all sectors in Leeds, enabling them to directly support our mission to recruit new foster carers and improve our Foster 4 Leeds offer for looked after children, young people and foster families.

We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds and want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Partnership Development Coordinator you will bring to the role:

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, enabling you to quickly build trust and rapport and motivate others
An excellent track record of identifying and forging new relationships and partnership agreements and working collaboratively with organisations from different sectors
Experience of managing projects from inception to implementation within timescales and budget
A clear understanding of the different needs, motivations and objectives of businesses, public sector and third sector partners
A child-centred approach with a broad knowledge and understanding of issues affecting care experienced children and young people and foster families

About the role

As our next Partnership Development Coordinator you’ll be working across the Child Friendly Leeds team and our Fostering team and be responsible for developing innovative partnerships, offers and projects that will directly benefit children, young people and families across Leeds.

The role is integral to both teams. You will lead on new partnerships, but we also have lots of ongoing partnership offers from Child Friendly Leeds Ambassador organisations that you will quickly put into action, developing project plans to evidence the outcomes.

This role will further strengthen joint working across the teams and ensure foster families and care experienced children and young people directly shape the future offer. You will support the wider work of the Child Friendly Leeds and Fostering Recruitment teams and collaborate on team events and projects, meaning the role will be both fun and varied. Please note some weekend and evening working may be required.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements

a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact

Rachel Keightley -Team Manager of Fostering Assessment, Recruitment and Enrichment Teamrachel.keightley@leeds.gov.uk

or Hannah Lamplugh -Strategy and Influence Lead (Child Friendly Leeds) hannah.lamplugh@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description

Job purpose Lead on management of relationships with Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors and partners with a primary focus on Public Sector and Third Sector Partners but to include other ambassadors (high profile individuals, businesses, teams and services across Leeds City Council).

Play a key role working both in the Fostering and Child Friendly teams, initiating and developing strong partnerships and project managing cross council projects, recording engagement, communicating and evidencing how partnership work has helped contribute towards placement stability, foster carer recruitment and retention, Child Friendly Leeds wishes and outcomes and priorities in the Children and Young People’s Plan.

Responsibilities

Responsible for helping shape and deliver the Child Friendly Leeds vision and forward plan.
Lead on recruiting Public Sector and Third Sector Partners and supporting with the recruitment and engagement of Businesses as Child Friendly Leedss
Responsible for making connections and developing links between child friendly Leeds ambassadors and initiating partnership working between ambassadors and fostering team and Leeds City Council teams and services.
Responsible for nurturing and maintaining strong positive and professional relationships with ambassadors and partners, establishing trust and credibility that positively influences the reputation of Child Friendly Leeds, and builds support for our work in Leeds and beyond.
Work in partnership with teams in Leeds City Council who work directly with the public sector and third sector partners, to help develop a “one council” approach, promoting a shared offer and recording and sharing examples of partnership work.
Work with procurement and commissioning to explore how the Child Friendly Leeds ambitions and priorities in the Children and Young Peoples Plan can be further supported through Social Value (Leeds Social Value Charter).
Responsible for managing, developing and maintaining systems to record Child Friendly Leeds ambassador contacts, engagement and partnership work with the fostering team.
Initiate and negotiate innovative partnership arrangements and offers that both meet ambassadors needs and objectives and will help support the recruitment and retention of foster carers, placement stability for looked after children through enrichment offers and opportunities, child friendly Leeds wishes and priorities within the Leeds children and young people plan.
Project managing cross council partnership projects with Fostering team and Child Friendly Leeds Ambassadors, developing project plans, progress updates and evaluation reports for a range of stakeholders.
Work in partnership with the team to develop links with internal and external ambassadors and partners which support the development of a range of enrichment opportunities for vulnerable children and young people.
Responsible for developing and implementing creative approaches to demonstrate and communicate city wide examples of how partnership work with ambassadors and cross council projects has made an impact on children, young people and families.
Planning, organising and hosting webinars, meetings and events with ambassadors and stakeholders.
Actively promote the Child Friendly Leeds and Foster for Leeds brand through all communications and support all partners and ambassadors to use the relevant branding
Responsible for developing and implementing the ambassadors element of the teams communications and marketing strategy, including producing engaging web content, blogs, social media posts, press releases, films etc that meet the needs of different sectors.
Lead on and implement a strategy to build profile, connections and engagement with Child Friendly Leeds and Foster for Leeds.
Jointly manage the Child Friendly Leeds Linked in social media account and work with the team to develop and post regular updates and engaging content on all social media channels.
Produce and deliver reports and presentations for senior leadership, elected members and relevant partnership boards.
To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications BSc/BA in business administration or related field

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

Excellent interpersonal skills with aptitude for building positive relationships with professionals from all sectors.
Confident communicator and public speaker – able to host and facilitate high level meetings and events.
Able to contribute to the strategic planning and direction of the service.
Able to research, plan and adapt approach and communication style to working with different types of businesses and organisations.
Strong negotiation and persuasive skills.
Able to prepare and present high level information for a range of audiences.
Able to prepare clear, coherent and comprehensive reports for a range of audiences.
Able to manage competing priorities whilst delivering on a range of projects and adapting to changing circumstances and priorities.
Able to manage conflicting demands and priorities within a political context.
Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
Able to drive efficiency and optimises use of resources.
Knowledge of current issues and challenges affecting children, young people (particularly care experienced) and families (including foster carers).
Organisational awareness – of different needs, motivations and objectives of businesses and public sector and third sector partners.
Knowledge of restorative practice.
Knowledge of Child Friendly Leeds vision, approach and wishes.
Awareness of Leeds City Council’s key strategies and strategic plans.
Experience of developing, leading and maintaining partnerships.
Experience of chairing and facilitating partnership meetings and hosting online and in person partnership events.
Experience of working in a multi-agency environment and working effectively with a range of senior stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Experience of project management - ability to take forward initiatives and policies from inception, through development to implementation.
Experience of proven experience of developing effective partnerships with businesses, third sector and public sector.
Experience of managing risk in relation to a project or work area.
Experience of developing solutions based on different needs of stakeholders.
Experience of developing communications to evidence outcomes and impact to different stakeholders.
Experience of managing social media accounts and creating effective social media strategies and campaigns.
Experience of effective financial management within agreed budgets and to achieve efficiencies.
Experience of reporting and being accountable to senior colleagues, decision-makers, project groups and children, young people and families.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Passionate with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Demonstrate integrity to build trust and respect.
Child centred approach.
Flexible and imaginative approach to problem solving.
Open and collaborative with capacity to listen and respond effectively.
Commitment to working in partnership across sectors and structure.
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills.
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates

Able to interpret relevant local / national strategy and policy changes
Knowledge of different teams and services working with children, young people and families in Leeds
Knowledge of the role of foster carers and different types of foster care
Knowledge of Leeds Social Value Charter
Experience of managing databases
Experience of line managing and supervising staff

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