Training & Employability Manager

About NOW Group

NOW Group is a social enterprise committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable employment and meaningful lives. We deliver a range of services including training, employment support, and social enterprise initiatives.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Training and Employment Manager to lead on the delivery of bespoke training and employment services under the PEACEPLUS Skills Connect Project.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a transformative cross-border initiative that empowers people with disabilities through skills development, training academies, and meaningful employment pathways. The successful candidate will manage a cross-functional team and collaborate with four strategic project partners to ensure high-quality delivery of outcomes for over 2,000 participants across the island of Ireland.

Skills Connect is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Key Responsibilities

1. Co-ordinate the implementation of the Skills Connect project across multiple locations in North/East Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and inclusivity.

2. To recruit, lead and coordinate the project delivery team in the design, development, and delivery of high-quality training programmes and accredited qualifications for Skills Connect participants.

3. To lead the development of feedback and review processes for the Skills Connect project, establishing effective systems and procedures to measure performance, demonstrate impact, and drive continuous improvement.

4. To build and maintain strong partnerships with consortium stakeholders, education providers, government agencies, a wide network of employers and community organisations to enhance participant outcomes and identify opportunities for collaborative working.

5. Engage in meaningful dialogue with service users to ensure participants have a role in shaping service delivery and future skills provision.

6. Represent NOW Group and the PEACEPLUS project at relevant events, forums, and cross-border partnership meetings.

7. Use data-driven insights to adapt and improve training delivery and support models.

8. Ensure compliance with all monitoring, reporting, and audit requirements set out by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

9. Promote a culture of inclusivity, ensuring that all training and employment programmes are accessible and tailored to the diverse needs of participants.

10.Address regional and demographic inequalities in access to education and employment for individuals with disabilities.

11.To manage, document, and report any incidents or safeguarding concerns in accordance with NOW Group’s Safeguarding procedures and Quality Assurance initiatives.

12.To deliver and facilitate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training to local stakeholder and promote inclusion throughout the sector.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine

What We Offer

At NOW Group, we value and invest in our employees. Benefits include:

• Generous Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata).
• Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to confidential counselling and financial advisory services.
• Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
• Flexible Work Initiatives: Including the Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.

Our Values:

We are looking for candidates who align with NOW Group’s values, demonstrating flexibility, dedication, and a commitment to empowering participants. Successful candidates will exhibit a passion for social change and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, stakeholders, and colleagues.

About The Role

Additional Information:

• Successful candidates will undergo a Garda vetting application
• Shortlisting will be based on how well your application demonstrates that you meet the above criteria.

Join us at NOW Group and make a real difference in the lives of individuals with learning difficulties and autism. Together, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future.

Required Criteria

• 1. A full current driving license and access to a car. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling pro-posals in respect of applicants with a disability who cannot hold a license.
• 2. NFQ level 6 or equivalent level professional qualification.
• 3. UU Certificate in Teaching / Professional Diploma in Education or equivalent teaching qualification
• 4. At least 2 years’ experience of delivering training to young people or adults with barriers to learning
• 5. At least 1 year’s experience of managing a team or training contracts
• 6. At least 1 year’s experience of applying and securing funding, grants, tenders or government contracts.
• 7. Experience of developing courses for accreditation and working with awarding bodies.
• 8. Excellent level of IT, communication skills and public-speaking/presentation skills.

Desired Criteria

• 1. At least 2 years' experience of taking a lead role in ETI/QQI inspections, self-evaluation and quality im-provement processes.
• 2. Internal verifier, External Verifier or assessor qualifications

Skills Needed

About The Company

At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card® - a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.

Company Culture

At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism into sustainable employment.

We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.

In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.

What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.

Company Benefits

Benefits at NOW Group

NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.

To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.

Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.

Vacation, Paid time off, Gym membership or wellness programs, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities

Salary

€45,320.00 per year