Shelina Ahmed

Experienced leader with a proven track record of delivering employability, education, and support services that improve outcomes for individuals facing barriers to work. Skilled in team leadership, coaching, performance management, safeguarding, employer engagement, and partnership working. Passionate about helping people build confidence, overcome challenges, and achieve sustainable employment through personalised, strengths-based support.

Recognised for driving service improvement, developing others, and building collaborative relationships that deliver positive outcomes for individuals, employers, and communities, including increasing programme referrals by 60%, achieving 90% student retention, and supporting participants into sustainable employment.

Recruitment Consultant - Department for Work and Pensions - North East Lincolnshire

(2025-05)

• Coordinate employer engagement events, recruitment campaigns, and job fairs, building relationships that create employment opportunities and support local labour market priorities.
• Monitor programme performance, participant progression, and stakeholder feedback to identify improvement opportunities and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Represent DWP at employer forums, partnership meetings, and community events, promoting employment opportunities and strengthening external relationships.
• Lead employer engagement across North East Lincolnshire, building relationships with employers to create sustainable employment opportunities.
• Develop partnerships with employers, training providers, local authorities, and community organisations to support recruitment and employability initiatives.
• Lead local AI and digital capability activity, providing training and support on Microsoft Copilot and emerging technologies.

Recruitment Consultant - Department for Work and Pensions

(2025-05)

• Delivered a strengths-based employment programme aligned to supported employment principles, increasing referrals by 60%, with approximately two-thirds of participants progressing into employment during or shortly after placement.
• Personally mentored 11 work experience participants, helping them develop confidence, workplace skills, and employability; approximately 80% progressed into employment.
• Established and led the local Movement to Work programme, creating structured pathways into work experience and employment.
• Coordinated a redundancy-focused skilled job fair involving 28+ employers and support providers, resulting in 80% of attendees securing employment opportunities while strengthening employer and community partnerships.
• Introduced customer and employer satisfaction surveys, using feedback and performance data to improve future events and strengthen service delivery.
• Recognised as the office AI and Digital Lead, delivering training, coaching, and practical support that improved colleague capability and adoption of new technologies.

Executive Officer (Work Coach) - Department for Work and Pensions

(2024-02 - 2025-05)

• Managed safeguarding concerns and vulnerable customer cases, ensuring appropriate support, referrals, and compliance with policy and guidance.
• Delivered tailored coaching, work-focused support, and action planning to improve customer outcomes.
• Managed complex cases involving safeguarding, vulnerability, and multiple barriers to employment.
• Worked with employers, provision partners, and support services to help customers access opportunities and overcome barriers.
• Successfully managed a high-volume caseload while maintaining strong performance, compliance, and customer service standards.
• Built effective relationships with customers, improving engagement and supporting progression into employment, training, and work-related activity.
• Developed strong partnership working with internal and external stakeholders to improve customer outcomes.
• Consistently communicated complex policy and employment information in a clear and accessible way to a wide range of customers.

Employability Tutor - PET-XI

(2023-12 - 2024-02)

SWAP Programmes

• Designed and delivered Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), preparing participants for employment through tailored employability training, job search support, and interview preparation.
• Worked closely with employers and stakeholders to align training provision with recruitment needs and local labour market demand.
• Monitored learner progress, provided one-to-one coaching, and supported participants to overcome barriers to employment.
• Successfully supported participants to improve confidence, job readiness, and progression into employment opportunities.
• Built strong relationships with employers, ensuring training programmes reflected real recruitment requirements and employer expectations.
• Adapted learning delivery to support individuals with diverse needs, creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
• Consistently achieved positive learner engagement through effective coaching, mentoring, and motivational support.

Digital Skills Tutor - National Employer Training (NET UK) - Grimsby

(2023-01 - 2023-12)

• Delivered training in Microsoft 365, digital skills, GDPR, digital wellbeing, social media marketing, and Canva to diverse learner groups.
• Designed and facilitated engaging classroom and online learning sessions, adapting content to meet different learning needs and abilities.
• Monitored learner progress and provided coaching, guidance, and pastoral support to improve engagement and achievement.
• Translated complex digital and technical concepts into clear, accessible guidance, improving learner confidence and capability.
• Developed innovative and interactive learning materials that increased learner engagement and participation.
• Built strong relationships with learners, creating an inclusive and supportive environment that encouraged progression and achievement.
• Strengthened coaching, communication, and facilitation skills that continue to support stakeholder engagement, training delivery, and staff development activities.

Higher Education Success Coach / Team Leader - Grimsby University Centre

(2019-03 - 2022-12)

• Led safeguarding practice and supported vulnerable students, ensuring interventions were appropriate, timely, and compliant.
• Undertook quality assurance activity, performance monitoring, and service improvement using performance data and student feedback.
• Led and developed a team of Success Coaches, providing supervision, coaching, performance management, and wellbeing support within remote and hybrid working environments.
• Managed complex student support cases, ensuring effective safeguarding, case management, and appropriate interventions to improve outcomes.
• Worked collaboratively with academic staff, support services, and external partners to coordinate support and remove barriers to success.
• Successfully led a team through the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining service quality, staff engagement, and student support during the transition to remote and hybrid delivery.
• Achieved a 90% student retention rate through targeted interventions and data-led support.
• Developed a coaching culture focused on accountability, wellbeing, and continuous improvement, supporting positive team performance.
• Recognised as a trusted escalation point for complex and sensitive cases, using sound judgement to achieve positive outcomes.
• Built strong partnerships across academic and support teams, improving collaboration and creating a more joined-up approach to student success.

MSc - Psychology

BA (Hons) - Psychology