Safeguarding and Partnership Lead

Cadent Gas Ltd; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK utilities company is seeking a Safeguarding and Partnership Lead to manage partnerships and projects that benefit vulnerable customers. The candidate will oversee project delivery for VCMA funded initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations and KPIs. Strong experience in the third sector and excellent communication skills are essential. This full-time role offers a hybrid working model, with office days on Wednesdays, and requires occasional travel across multiple regions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience liaising with charities and community organisations.
• Experience in forecasting and data prediction.
• Familiarity with Cadent’s Safeguarding Strategy.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end delivery of VCMA funded projects.
• Ensure projects meet KPIs, timelines, and budgets.
• Develop and maintain project plans and risk registers.

Skills

Experience in the third sector

Excellent communication and influencing skills

Strong understanding of funding mechanisms

Politically astute

Project management proficiency

Tools

MS Office

Project management tools

Job description

From Pipelines to Possibilities – Make Your Mark with Cadent

We’re looking for an experienced Safeguarding and Partnership Lead with a strong background in the third sector, particularly working with charities and small community organisations. You’ll be the face of Cadent, managing the project, building and maintaining relationships with partners to deliver impactful projects that support vulnerable customers.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery & Oversight

• Manage the end-to-end delivery of VCMA funded projects multiple regions.
• Develop and maintain project plans, risk registers, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure projects meet agreed KPIs, timelines, and budget constraints.
• Ensure VCMA funds initiatives that support vulnerable customers, especially around energy affordability, safety, and wellbeing.
• Ensure Projects must align with Ofgem’s criteria, measurable social return, and benefit gas consumers.
• Play a part in managing a budget of GD3, ensuring accurate allocation of funds and adherence to financial controls.
• Oversee invoice processing and payment schedules, guaranteeing timely and compliant transactions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate legally binding contracts with suppliers, partners, and stakeholders to protect organisational interests.
• Monitor contract performance and compliance, addressing risks and resolving disputes effectively.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure procurement and regulatory requirements are met.
• Implement cost-control measures and identify opportunities for efficiency and savings.
• Maintain accurate financial records and reporting for audits and governance reviews.
• Support strategic decision-making through budget forecasting and variance analysis.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track project outcomes using social return on investment (SROI) and other impact measurement tools.
• Produce regular reports for internal and external stakeholders, including Ofgem.
• Support the development of case studies and success stories to demonstrate programme impact.
• Quantify benefits (e.g. reduced NHS costs, improved wellbeing).
• Showcase success stories to Ofgem and internal stakeholders.
• Use evaluation findings to inform future bids and strategy.

Safeguarding & Inclusion

• Embed lived experience and community voice into project design and delivery.
• Identify opportunities to scale, replicate, or innovate Centre for Warmth models.
• Contribute to strategic planning and future funding proposals.

About You

• Proven experience in the third sector, liaising with charities and community organisations.
• Experience in forecasting and data prediction
• Knowledge of Cadent’s Safeguarding Strategy and the wider industry approach.
• Politically astute, with a good understanding of key external organisations, how they operate and make decisions
• Strong understanding of funding mechanisms and governance requirements.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Highly organised with a delivery-focused mindset and ability to work independently.
• Comfortable with travel for stakeholder visits.
• Proficient in MS Office and project management tools.

Why join Cadent?

You’ll play a vital role in delivering projects that make a real difference to vulnerable customers, ensuring energy affordability, safety, and wellbeing.

How Cadent Powers Britain

Cadent is shaping the future of UK energy. With a clear roadmap to support the UK government’s net zero targets by 2050, they are driving innovation and creating a cleaner, greener future for our 11 million customers. Join Cadent and be part of something big.

How It All Comes Together

• Hourly Rate- £ 19.68, PAYE, paid weekly one week in arrears
• Location: Pilot Way Ansty Park, Coventry, CV7 9JU
• Assignment type: 12-month Temporary Contract through Reed Talent Solutions, as Cadent’s trusted recruitment partner.
• Shift patterns: 37h per week. Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
• Working arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You’ll work from the office one day per week(Wednesdays), with the remainder of your time spent working from home and travelling to meet and visit stakeholders and partners. You’ll be responsible for arranging your own meetings and visits.
• A full UK driving licence is preferred, as travel will be required across multiple regions. Mileage and travel expenses will be reimbursed in line with company policy.

How to Take the Next Step

If you are interested in this role or want to find out more, please make and application with us today with an updated CV. A member of the Reed team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps, which includes a telephone interview with Reed, onsite interview with Cadent, and pre-employment vetting via Reed ahead of your start date.

Be part of something big. Help shape the future of gas for generations to come.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Project Management

Industries

Utilities

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