Social Enterprise Lead

About Kibble

Kibble is the specialist's provider of services for at risk children and young people across the UK. Many of the young people the organisation cares for have experienced significant trauma in their lives and we provide a safe, stable environment that is both nurturing and therapeutic. With a robust support network and wide range of integrated services, we offer young people opportunities and encourage them to believe in themselves, feel a sense of belonging, and realise their own self-worth.

Job Purpose

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and commercially minded Social Enterprise Manager to lead the development and growth of social businesses and enterprise opportunities across Kibble. The successful candidate will have a strong entrepreneurial mindset and business acumen, with the ability to identify market opportunities, develop and scale sustainable social ventures, create impact-driven partnerships and lead projects from concept through to delivery.

The postholder will identify new business opportunities, develop robust business plans and build effective relationships with employers, potential investors, funders, education and care organisations, corporate and public-sector partners, and other organisations with shared or complementary interests. The role will ensure that Kibble’s social businesses remain relevant, competitive and aligned with organisational objectives, while creating meaningful work experience, training and employment pathways for young people.

Alongside this business development remit, the postholder will lead the strategic development, coordination and continuous improvement of the enterprise curriculum across the Skills Academy and all Kibble schools. Working collaboratively with teachers, instructors and other relevant staff, they will ensure that enterprise activity is embedded within the wider curriculum and supports the development of practical, vocational, employability and entrepreneurial skills.

The postholder will also provide line management, supervision and professional support to The Skills Academy instructors, ensuring high-quality delivery of enterprise, vocational and employability learning. Working closely with The Skills Academy Education Manager, they will support staff development, quality improvement and the effective implementation of enterprise and employability provision.

The successful candidate will also contribute directly to the delivery and assessment of appropriate qualifications. Where they do not currently hold the necessary teaching, training or assessor qualifications, Kibble will provide appropriate training and support.

Main Duties

• Identify new social business and market opportunities that support Kibble’s strategic objectives and create positive social impact.
• Develop robust business plans for new and existing social businesses, considering viability, sustainability, social impact, resources, finance, marketing and operational delivery.
• Lead the creation, development and scaling of innovative social ventures and enterprise projects.
• Foster an entrepreneurial mindset across Kibble, supporting staff and young people to develop ideas into meaningful and sustainable enterprise activity.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with employers, potential investors, funding bodies, education and care organisations, corporate and public-sector partners, and organisations with shared or complementary interests.
• Provide line management, supervision and professional support to Skills Academy instructors, including performance management, professional learning, quality assurance and day-to-day operational support.
• Identify reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnership opportunities with organisations that work with, commission from or provide services to Kibble.
• Continuously monitor relevant markets and adapt the social business strategy to ensure Kibble’s social enterprises remain relevant and competitive.
• Develop and implement appropriate key performance indicators aligned with business, education and social impact objectives.
• Monitor business performance and social impact, using evidence and data to evaluate outcomes and inform future development.
• Support The Skills Academy Education Manager in the strategic development, planning and continuous improvement of vocational, enterprise and employability provision.
• Represent the Kibble Group at relevant external forums, networks and partnership meetings.
• Lead the planning, coordination, development and quality assurance of the enterprise curriculum across the Skills Academy and all Kibble schools.
• Work collaboratively with teachers, instructors, managers and other relevant staff to embed enterprise, employability and vocational learning throughout the curriculum.
• Ensure that enterprise curriculum activity reflects current and emerging labour-market opportunities and provides meaningful learning, work experience and progression routes for young people.
• Identify and implement appropriate qualification pathways aligned with enterprise, vocational learning, employability and young people’s progression goals.
• Deliver, assess and, where appropriate, support the quality assurance of relevant qualifications and accredited learning programmes.
• Establish and maintain effective links with awarding bodies, further education providers, training providers and industry partners to support high-quality qualification delivery and curriculum development.
• Provide guidance and support to staff involved in enterprise learning, vocational qualifications and employability activity, sharing good practice across services.
• Monitor participation, achievement and progression outcomes, using evidence and data to evaluate the effectiveness of the enterprise curriculum.
• Monitor budgets and financial performance of social enterprise activities, ensuring effective use of resources and long-term sustainability.
• Work collaboratively and consistently with colleagues across education and the wider management team.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Demonstrable experience of entrepreneurship, social enterprise, business development or developing and scaling impact-led ventures.
• Strong business acumen, with knowledge of business finance, marketing, commercial planning and performance monitoring.
• Experience of identifying market opportunities, developing business plans and building sustainable business partnerships.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, recognise opportunities and translate ideas into practical and sustainable delivery plans.
• Experience of developing effective relationships with employers, funders, investors, external agencies and other stakeholders.
• A degree or relevant qualification in management, business, marketing, education or a related discipline is desirable.
• Experience of developing, coordinating or delivering enterprise, vocational, employability or skills-based learning programmes is desirable.
• Experience of working collaboratively with other professionals e.g. teachers, instructors, education staff, employers and external partners.
• A recognised teaching, training, assessing or vocational qualification is desirable. (Applicants who do not currently hold the qualification or qualifications required to deliver accredited programmes will be supported to undertake appropriate training.)
• Strong leadership, communication, organisation and project-management skills.
• Ability to build trusting and effective relationships with young people, staff, customers, professionals and stakeholders at all levels.
• Commitment to inclusive practice and to improving outcomes and progression opportunities for young people.
• Confident and enthusiastic team player, able to work under pressure, prioritise workload and operate effectively with minimal supervision.

Staff Benefits at Kibble

• Learning continues with opportunities for further training, job variety and funded study
• Healthcare significantly contributes to expenses such as dental treatments, new glasses and contact lenses
• Money off shopping and events from Blue Light Card, Costco and other partners
• Discounts are available for childcare through Puddle Lane children’s nursery
• Immediate access to confidential counselling helps you prioritise self-care
• Wellbeing perks continue with Cycle to Work and generous holidays

Additional Information

1. This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, Kibble reserves the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or services provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.
2. Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Kibble’s stated policy on equal opportunities.
3. The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Kibble (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.
4. The successful candidate will be required to undertake Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and will require a level of fitness to be able to carry out SCM. The successful candidate must be able to participate fully in this training and be prepared to put this training into practice. The SCM training will consist of two days theory and two days physical training. The successful candidate must complete this training prior to taking up post. Should the candidate for any reason fail any aspect of the SCM training (theory, physical or both parts), an additional input and opportunity would be given to successfully complete the training and achieve the required level of proficiency.
5. Appointments will be subject to a three-month probationary period.

Follow Kibble on Social Media

Keep updated by following on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram and X .