526 Advice services manager jobs

We believe that everyone deserves to be supported in their mental health needs and we have a part to play in that.

Our work is guided by our values of:

Openness | Belonging | Strength | Collaboration

People with mental health issues are more likely to be dependent on benefits, be at risk of homelessness and in debt. We believe that advice relating to benefits, debt and housing can alleviate stress and support better mental health.

Your role in this team is to provide advice but also to be the lead advice worker across the Food Bank team – ensuring compliance with the Advice Quality Mark. You will also have the wider Manchester Mind Advice Team to connect with.

Within this post, you will play a key role in supporting people who are attending local food banks to access their rights and entitlements. You will be part of an experienced team of advice workers who work collaboratively to share skills and knowledge.

Job Title: Lead Benefits, Debt and Housing Caseworker (Food Banks)

Name of Project: Financial Inclusion Project

Salary: £33,289 - £34,273

Responsible To: Advice Service Manager

Working Hours: 35 hours per week for 12 months

(with extension possible dependent on funding)

Location: Victoria House and food banks located across Manchester

The skills and knowledge that are important to us are:

· To advise people with regards to their rights and entitlements in welfare benefits, housing and debt.

· To work in a cooperative and supportive way with staff and volunteers.

· To continuously develop your knowledge and skills.

· To work collaboratively with partners in a way that creates good working relationships.

You can download all application documents from our website.

The closing date is 5pm on Friday 16th October 2026 andinterviews will take place on Thursday 22nd October 2026.

Manchester Mind is striving to be an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Manchester Mind sees it as a positive advantage if you have experience of mental health issues and/or have used mental health services, or had experience of volunteering.

Deputy Service Manager

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Deputy Service Manager

Location: Based within a non-residential service in Wembley, working within communities, homes, and other residentials. This service does have step free access however we are unable to guarantee this at some of the other locations where the role is based such as homes and community based locations.

Salary: £31,700

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday on a rota working 09:00 - 17:00, hours may be extended 08:00 - 18:00. You may also be required to work outside these hours as per service/participant requirements. You will also take part in our out of hours on call rota for managers.

About the Role

This is a great opportunity for a Deputy Service Manager to join our team based in Wembley. You will support the Service Manager to ensure high quality service delivery, being a key contact for staff, helping them feel supported, skilled, and empowered within their roles. In this role you will be based within a service which is at the heart of delivering person-centred support to vulnerable adults who have been, or are at risk of homelessness. This is a floating support service based in the heart of Wembley, near the Civic Centre. With a team who are dedicated to supporting our participants within their homes, communities, and in outreach based support.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Line Management and Leadership, supporting your team providing advice, guidance and support throughout their employment lifecycle
• Support the Service Manager in leading the day to day operational delivery of the service
• Risk Management ownership, ensuring processes and policies are followed
• Financial Management, including petty cash and budget management
• Contract management and Internal auditing, admin, and general other duties as required. 

About You

We are seeking a passionate, driven and motivated colleague to help lead our service in a trauma informed and inclusive way. Someone who is knowledgeable in the needs of our residents, particularly around homelessness and complex needs, able to support the team in delivering their daily duties. You will be driven with passion for what we do, and be able to work flexibly to meet service needs, providing new ideas and opportunities to develop the service further to continue to achieve excellence!

• Understanding of homelessness and complex needs of people from different backgrounds
• Ability to provide high quality support and line management to staff.
• Ability to support the Service Manager and help manage staff with daily tasks, caseloads and overall day to day running of the service.
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve KPI's
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and support to the team on all aspects of service delivery including resident related queries
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly to meet service needs
• IT proficiency - we use various systems so look for someone who can learn and navigate new systems including case management, Microsoft, ATS, HR systems, and other types of organisational software
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact us on the details below. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Additional information on our company policies including Gender Pay, Equality and Diversity, Company Benefits and our Candidate Privacy Policy can be found on our website.

The Bromley Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub (BMHWH) is a key part of the transformation of mental health services in the borough under the NHS Long Term Plan. Delivered in partnership with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, the Hub brings together primary care, secondary care and the voluntary sector to provide flexible, holistic and integrated support for adults with mental health needs.

We are seeking a Mental Health Advisor to join our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) and Tailored Wellbeing pathway. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing, and who enjoys working in a collaborative, person-centred environment.

As a Mental Health Advisor, you will provide tailored, time-limited support to adults experiencing mental health difficulties through one-to-one and group-based interventions. You will undertake holistic assessments, develop personalised support plans, provide information, advice and guidance, and help people access local services and opportunities that promote long-term wellbeing and recovery.

Working closely with clinical colleagues from Oxleas and a range of community partners, you will support individuals with varying levels of need, helping them build resilience, increase independence and develop strategies to manage their mental health. You will play a vital role in ensuring people receive the right support at the right time and are connected with services that best meet their needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of adults with mental health problems, providing tailored and person-centred support
• Conduct holistic assessments and develop individual support plans using a recovery-focused approach
• Deliver one-to-one and group interventions that promote wellbeing, stability and relapse prevention
• Provide information, advice, guidance and signposting to help people access appropriate services and community resources
• Work collaboratively with Oxleas clinical colleagues and voluntary sector partners to coordinate support
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding and risk concerns
• Maintain accurate records and monitor outcomes using the Hub's case management systems
• Support people to access local opportunities and activities that enhance wellbeing and independence
• Contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the achievement of contractual targets

About You
(More detail can be found in the Person Specification below)

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Experience of supporting people with mental health needs in a health, social care or community setting
• Knowledge of recovery-focused and person-centred approaches to mental health support
• Confidence in carrying out holistic assessments and working with individuals with diverse and complex needs
• The ability to provide effective information, advice, guidance and signposting
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across services
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• An understanding of safeguarding, risk management and professional boundaries
• A proactive, compassionate and empowering approach to supporting people to achieve their goals

Successful applicants will be expected to undergo an Enhanced Level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Closing date: Sunday 13th September (11:59pm)

Likely interview date: Week beginning 21st September 

We encourage early applications as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications.

About Us

SEL Mind supports people with mental health problems and dementia in the boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark. We are proud of our diverse workforce and know that our organisation is made stronger by the variety of backgrounds, experience, and ideas within it. We promote a culture of inclusion and representation, and are working hard to build a workforce that even better reflects the communities we support.

SEL Mind is somewhere that you can be your authentic self without fear of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, neurodivergence, gender, age, lived experience of mental health problems or anything else that’s part of who you are.

Read more about staff benefits and why staff love working here on our website.

Area Manager

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Area Manager

Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) managing a range of services dispersed throughout the area, in which travel will be required. Unfortunately some sites including the base office does not have step free access

Salary: £45,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service and resident requirements, which also includes forming part of the managers out of hours on call rota.

This role requires a minimum of 4 days in the office per week.

About the Role

We are seeking an Area Manager to lead our Complex needs service which is based across Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. You will be responsible for managing Service Managers across the area. The service is dispersed into several accommodations with around 153 residents in total. The residents in our services are those who have experienced homelessness and have face challenges such as mental health, substance use or have an offending background.

In this role, you will lead the team with overall leadership to support, enable, and empower your team to deliver high quality support to our residents. You will drive service outcomes in line with contractual requirements, ensuring quality and consistency within a trauma and psychologically informed environment. You will ensure the services run smoothly in collaboration with the team, wider teams, and external partners. We're looking for someone who is solution focused, has experience within a similar service environment, and can create a safe space for individuals to learn, and grow. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Monitor and analyse service performance data and key performance indicators
• Line management and leadership, offering guidance and support throughout the employee lifecycle, fostering a supportive leadership culture focused on staff wellbeing, learning, and development
• Encourage productivity, engagement, and wellbeing of the team through regular check-ins, training, meetings, and supervisions.
• Support with day to day tasks within the service, supporting the team to deliver the best possible outcomes with their residents
• Lead the day to day operational delivery of the service.
• Risk Management ownership, ensuring processes and policies are followed.
• Property and housing management, ensuring accommodation standards, timely maintenance and reporting. 
• Striving to ensure excellence and quality in our service delivery.
• Financial Management of service budget with cost saving mechanisms. 

About You

We're seeking someone who has a genuine passion for making a difference to lives, and helping to create safer communities for all. You will be a proactive leader, with the ability to motivate and empower a team to drive excellence, both as individuals, and as a team, whilst providing practical solutions to challenges which arise. You will be knowledgeable of the different types of complex needs and different support needs of our residents. We're looking for someone who can build rapport, trust, and create an environment which allows individuals to grow their skills and experience and develop as individuals. 

• Previous leadership experience, and ability to take responsibility for the full service, ensuring service outcomes, KPI's and requirements are met.
• Demonstratable experience in leading a service/team in a similar capacity.
• Previous experience in supported housing, homelessness, complex needs, mental health, social care, or substance use services
• Ability to provide high quality support and line management to staff.
• Ability to motivate and empower a team to achieve KPI's
• Ability to provide advice, guidance, and support to the team on all aspects of service delivery including resident related queries
• Ability to promote the service externally to enhance reputation in the area and with partner organisations
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands and needs of the service. For example, Provide an emergency on call service as and when required in case of emergency
• IT proficiency - we use various systems so look for someone who can learn and navigate new systems including case management, Microsoft, ATS, HR systems, and other types of organisational software.
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton (CABB) is a leading provider of legal advice and information, supporting thousands of clients every year. We are a busy, client focused and dynamic service with a track record of delivering high-quality advice face to face, over the phone and digitally. 

There’s no ‘average’ case – our advice is tailored, but our standard of excellence is identical for every client. You will play a key role in ensuring that our services are community focused, impactful and sustainable. 

As a newly created position, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape its direction, innovate, and directly define its success. You will operate with high levels of autonomy, while being fully backed and championed by Trustees and the wider Senior Leadership Team (SLT), consisting of:
 

• Chief Executive Officer 
• Head of People, Culture & Resources
• Head of Advice Standards & Delivery
• Head of Partnerships, Data & Impact.
   

The Head of Partnerships, Data & Impact will provide strategic leadership for CABB’s generalist and community-based advice services, while driving organisational growth through strategic partnerships, data analytics and social impact storytelling. This role bridges operational delivery with external system integration, using hyper-local data to ensure our services directly meet the evolving needs of residents in the specific communities where help is needed most. By leveraging client insights to drive Research & Campaigns activity and inform strategic funding bids, you will articulate our organisational impact using partner-aligned terminology – translating advice outcomes into language that directly resonates with health, statutory and VCSE stakeholders (such as health inequalities, demand management, Marmot principles, and prevention) – to build strong, collaborative pathways.
 

Key elements and tasks within this role include:

• Data insight & impact strategy development with organisational data analysis, trend forecasting, research & campaigns and evidencing social return on investment. Leverage client data to produce high-impact insight reports, drive local, regional and national campaign work.
• Shape the future of service delivery by embedding sustainable ways of working, processes and performance frameworks, leading evidence-based recommendations that support CABB’s long-term operating model and growth ambitions, to meet client demand. 
• Collaborate and build relationships across VCSE/statutory, health and wider systems, including colleagues across CABB and wider stakeholders, build positive and professional relationships with partners and contract/ funder relationships within the scope of this role. Foster positive relationships with Head of Advice Standards & Delivery, and wider SLT, deputising as required.
• Support community & generalist services through senior oversight of generalist advice teams and managers, but frame responsibilities around high-level service performance, governance and client outcomes, aligned to advice standards. 
• Drive service improvement & innovation using data and technology to support continuous improvement, contribution to organisational strategic pillars and values. 

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (EDI&B):

We believe inclusion is a social justice issue - a principle that underpins our EDI&B work. To that end, we particularly welcome applications from local individuals who are representative of the local communities we serve - this is not just a matter of diversity but of strategic importance to ensure our services are grounded in the realities of our communities. 

Benefits

We value the people who work here. The following are included within the employee remuneration packages as standard;
A flexible 35 hour working week (for full time employees)
Generous holiday entitlement – starting at 25 days per year, increasing to 30 (in addition to bank holidays), pro-rata for part time
Additional day off for your birthday
5% employer contribution pension scheme
Access to 24/7 confidential telephone counselling and structured counselling support
Access to online GP and telephone counselling services
Enhanced family friendly leave and occupational sick leave
Access to ‘Blue Light Card’ and other charity discount schemes

The purpose of the role is to assist our clients with immigration legal advice and representation. The focus of this legal work is on non-legal aid funded matters, supporting people to preserve immigration status and for some become British Citizens. While the majority of the immigration advice and representation at RMJ is free for clients, this service we charge an affordable fee to help those who cannot find affordable and professional representation.

Key Responsibilities 

Case management:

•        Manage own caseload, working to advance the best interests of the client
•        Adhere to standards set out by IAA/SRA and AQS to deliver high-quality advice
•        Provide advice and representation up to IAA level 2/3.
•        Engage with the Line Manager to create and follow a training plan to ensure compliance with IAA CPD, keeping up to date with changes in law, policy and guidance to ensure clients receive accurate and high-quality advice
•        Liaise directly with the UKVI and related governmental agencies 
•        Complete forms, letters and immigration applications in line with deadlines
•        Liaise with and refer clients to Legal Aid Solicitors or other advisers, as appropriate
•        Manage clientsʼ expectations by discussing deadlines, outcomes and timing
•        Deliver legal advice outreach surgeries/drop in as and when required
•        Progress cases in a timely manner in line with regulatory requirements
•        Implement organisational priorities into day-to-day casework.
•        Maintain clientʼs files and records in line with file management procedures

General responsibilities:

•        Seek to continuously improve in order that the Charity delivers the best possible service to beneficiaries
•        Ensure that all of RMJʼs Policies and Procedures are adhered to at all times
•        Attend internal and external training as and when required
•        Participate in regular supervisions and team meetings
•        Working with the Head of Campaigning to raise awareness or further research in relation to the issues our client group face
•        Attend the office on a regular basis (hybrid working)
•        Act as a positive ambassador for the Charity at all times
•        Working with volunteers when necessary
•        Undertake any other duties that may be reasonably required

Education/Qualifications:

IAA accredited. If IAA level 1, the candidate will be expected to initially work under supervision completing level 2 work and qualifying at level 2 within 6 months (training is provided and study leave is accommodated). Upon obtaining a higher level of accreditation, the candidateʼs salary will increase in line with RMJ pay scales.

Practising Solicitor with 1-year immigration experience.

IAAS level 2 caseworkers (non-solicitor) will be considered but if appointed must be prepared to work under supervision and qualify at IAA level 1 within 6 months (Training is provided and study leave is accommodated). Upon obtaining a higher level of IAA accreditation, the candidateʼs salary will increase in line with RMJ pay scales.

For further information and details about the application process, please refer to the recruitment pack. To view the recruitment pack, please click the Apply button to download it.

Please note that applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

If you're an experienced manager with a background in immigration advice, GARAS wants to hear from you. As a leading immigration charity in Gloucestershire, we're looking for someone to lead our Adult Advice Team, guiding staff and volunteers as they support asylum seekers and refugees across the county.

Sitting on our Senior Management Team, you'll help shape how GARAS delivers its services, making sure the advice we offer stays true to what we stand for as an organisation.

We're a medium-sized, ambitious charity, and this role would suit someone who thrives on responsibility and wants to see their leadership make a tangible difference to people's lives. You will line manage all members of the Adult Advice Team, so sound judgement, resilience and genuine warmth in your management style will be essential. 

This role is based on-site at GARAS premises and will require an Enhanced DBS check.

Job title: Services Manager (Maternity Cover)

Salary: £44,558 – £45,895

Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week (part time or flexible working options considered)

Location: Home-based ideally Wales or Midlands area, but any location will be considered, with travel around England and Wales

Contract: Fixed term – 9 months from December 2026

Are you an experienced employability service manager who would be able to confidently step into a 9-month maternity cover position and oversee a team of up to eight passionate and person-centred Employment Consultants, helping them deliver personalised, high-quality support to veterans and their families?  You will also have the opportunity to contribute to our services development and continual improvement programme.

At The Poppy Factory, we believe that everyone who has served our country deserves the opportunity to build a fulfilling life beyond the armed forces. For over a century, we have stood alongside veterans and their families, evolving our services to support veterans and adult family members to overcome barriers to employment and transform their lives.

What we're looking for

• A collaborative mindset: You will thrive working as part of a team with colleagues based across the UK who support each other in what can sometimes be a challenging role. You enjoy building strong partnerships, and work effectively with colleagues and external organisations to enhance the services we offer.

• Motivation and commitment: You understand that supporting people facing complex challenges can be demanding, and you're ready to bring the energy, empathy and resilience needed to support your team to succeed.

• Adaptability: You will often need to balance competing priorities or quickly shift focus depending on the needs of the team you will be supporting and the clients they are working with.

• An empowering approach: You believe in people and their potential. Whether supervising your team or developing services, your goal is to support others to grow, achieve and thrive.

Why should you apply?

• A chance to make a lasting impact: Your work will help veterans and their families move forward in life with confidence and dignity.

• Competitive salary and benefits including generous holiday and pension contributions.

• A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.

• Flexibility and variety: a mix of travelling in your area, home working and to the Poppy Factory in Richmond, London

• Autonomy and influence: The opportunity to shape your region, build meaningful partnerships, and develop services that meet real needs.

• Be part of an iconic charity with over a century of history supporting the Armed Forces community.

For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.

Due to the travel requirements of the role and the region covered, it is essential that the post holder is able to meet these requirements through their own transport arrangements.

How to apply

To apply for this position please click "Apply for this job" to submit your CV and a covering letter outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification. Please address your covering letter to Debbie Boughtflower, Director of Operations.

Top tip: we don't recommend using AI to generate your covering letter (we've seen a lot of covering letters and we promise, we can tell!) - we want to know what makes YOU a good fit for the role, and AI covering letters can't capture your personality, values and qualities, or what makes your specific combination of skills and experience an ideal candidate. 

The closing date for applications will be 23 September 2026. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.

Online interviews will be held on 1 or 2 October 2026, with potential second interviews on 12 October 2026 in person @ The Poppy Factory in Richmond, London.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role, please contact Kirsty Gronow 

No agencies please.

The successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Citizens Advice Croydon is a leading provider of legal advice and information, supporting thousands of clients every year.  We deliver high quality advice and are looking for someone who will be committed to delivering excellent customer service and working to the highest standards.

The successful candidate will ideally have completed the Citizens Advice Energy training and/or the NEA Level 3 City and Guilds Level Energy Awareness training.  However, if you have at least one year's experience of providing generalist advice, particularly welfare benefits, debt or housing advice, then this role could be a development opportunity for you.

In this role you will assess each client's situation in depth, identifying the most appropriate strategies to support with energy related matters, including exploring every opportunity to maximise income.  Energy advice includes the following types of support: 

• checking and understanding utility bills and tarriffs
• energy saving tips
• energy efficiency measures
• reading and understanding meters/smart meters
• energy debt management and crisis support
• winter fuel payments
• warm home discounts
• priority services register

You must be confident in providing advice to clients on an individual basis as well as through group activity such as energy workshops.

We offer a warm and friendly working environment, hybrid working arrangments, generous leave and other staff benefits and the opportunity to develop professionally.

Arthritis Action is the UK charity giving hands-on, practical help to improve the quality of life of people affected by arthritis. We offer an integrated self-management approach, which looks at both the physical and mental health impact of living with arthritis. We support people living with musculoskeletal conditions through healthy eating advice, mental health resources, pain management techniques, Online Groups, employment support, and exercise advice and resources. 

We are looking for an experienced Volunteering Manager, based in the Midlands, to lead the development of an exciting new volunteering programme, helping us build a diverse, inclusive and engaged volunteer community that brings our strategy to life.

The Role

Home-Based in the Midlands with monthly travel to the London office (EC1V) 

The Volunteering Manager will lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of volunteering within Arthritis Action. This is a new role responsible for ensuring that more people affected by arthritis across the country receive high-quality, evidence-based support and have meaningful opportunities to connect, participate and influence our work.

The postholder will oversee our volunteering activity, in turn enabling volunteers to extend our reach, strengthen communities and increase our impact across the region. The postholder will work closely with the Head of Services and Engagement to develop the relevant polices and strategies whilst also thinking about recruitment, onboarding, training and retention. 

Key Responsibilities

Volunteering Development 

• Develop a strong understanding of the volunteer journey, using insight, feedback and data to identify opportunities to improve engagement, satisfaction, retention and outcomes.

• Develop approaches to ensure volunteers can increase engagement amongst diverse and underserved communities. 

• Implement effective monitoring and evaluation processes to demonstrate impact. 

• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities to link volunteering and donor journeys.

• Establish effective onboarding, recruitment, training and retention processes. 

• Update existing volunteering policies and strategy documents to bring them in line with practice for 2026 and beyond. 

• Work alongside the CEO to support and develop our new Clinical Advisory Panel.

Engagement Building

• Develop and implement an engagement approach that strengthens relationships with existing and potential volunteers.

• Create meaningful opportunities for people with lived experience to volunteer with Arthritis Action.

• Work collaboratively with Communications and Fundraising colleagues to maximise awareness and impact. 

• Build relationships with community partners and relevant external organisations to build the volunteering network. 

Volunteering Strategy and Development

• Develop Arthritis Action’s volunteer strategy with support from the Head of Services and Engagement, creating a sustainable model that supports organisational priorities. 

• With support from the Head of Services and Engagement, establish appropriate volunteer policies, processes, safeguarding arrangements and systems. 

• Work alongside staff to create volunteer led services.

Line Management

• Act as the first point of contact for volunteers. 

• Responsibility for volunteers supporting the charity.

Data, Insight and Impact

• Use data, feedback and evaluation to understand the effectiveness and impact of our volunteering programme, identify opportunities for improvement, and enhance the experience and contribution of our volunteers.

• Report meaningful KPIs for volunteering and engagement, using the CRM.

Person Specification

 Essential

 Experience

• Experience of developing and establishing volunteering and volunteer led services within a charity, healthcare or related environment.
• Experience of developing and improving volunteering based on evidence, insight and user needs.
• Experience of engaging diverse communities, members, service users or people with lived experiences through volunteer led services and volunteering.
• Experience of developing partnerships and collaborative approaches.

Skills and Knowledge

•  Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to write in Plain English.
•  Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
•  Strong understanding of inclusion, accessibility and reducing health inequalities.
• Ability to use insight, data and evaluation to improve impact.

Attributes

•  An understanding of, and commitment to, Arthritis Action’s vision, mission, equal opportunities and diversity.
• A self-starter able to work on own initiative where required.
• Values-driven, collaborative and inclusive professional.
• Empathetic and committed to ensuring people’s voices shape services.
• Able and willing to travel within the Midlands.

Desirable

• Experience of supporting people with long-term conditions.
• Experience using CRM systems and digital platforms to improve engagement.

How to apply

Applications should be in the form of a CV with a covering letter explaining your interest in and suitability for the role. Please provide both email and telephone contact information for yourself.Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Applications should be received by 11:59pm on Thursday 17th September 2026 at the latest.

First-round interviews will take place by Zoom on Tuesday 22nd September 2026. Second-round interviews will take place in the London office on Monday 28th September 2026.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the deadline should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

Arthritis Action is an equal opportunities employer. We treat employees and job applicants in the same way regardless of age, disability, marital status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief

12-month fixed-term contract | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Services to join our senior management team. 

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role 

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead nine services with nine direct reports, spanning criminal justice and housing/homelessness provision. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, you will need significant leadership experience across both Criminal Justice and Housing/Homelessness services, including housing or accommodation-based provision. 

You will understand the complexity of working across criminal justice, housing, local government and other statutory systems and be experienced in building effective relationships with commissioners and partners while maintaining strong operational and contractual oversight. 

This is a 12-month fixed-term appointment at an important stage in Cranstoun’s transformation, offering the opportunity to lead a significant portfolio, strengthen operational performance and help shape the future development of our operating model. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

The Suicide Bereavement Specialist Manager leads and manages a team of approximately 10–12 Suicide Bereavement Specialists, providing strong and supportive management alongside clear professional accountability and oversight of practice.

The postholder will also maintain a small caseload of approximately 5–10 beneficiaries, enabling them to remain connected to frontline practice and the experiences of people accessing the service.

The postholder has operational responsibility for the beneficiary journey from the point a referral enters the service through assessment, triage and allocation to a Suicide Bereavement Specialist, and for ensuring that subsequent support is safe, timely, appropriate, person-centred and delivered to Pete’s Dragons’ expected standards.

Relationship with the Beneficiary Services Manager

The Beneficiary Services Manager holds overall strategic responsibility for Beneficiary Services, including the direction, development and performance of beneficiary-facing services across Pete’s Dragons.

The SBS Manager holds operational responsibility for the day-to-day delivery, management and quality of the Suicide Bereavement Specialist service.

The SBS Manager is expected to exercise appropriate professional and managerial autonomy in the daily operation of the SBS service, escalating significant safeguarding, workforce, performance, capacity, service-quality or organisational concerns to the Beneficiary Services Manager.

The two roles will work closely together to ensure that strategic decisions are translated into consistent, safe and effective practice.

Key Responsibilities

Referral, Triage and Allocation

The SBS Manager will:

• Take overall responsibility for all incoming referrals to the SBS service from the point of entry through to allocation.
• Review referrals to establish need, urgency, risk, suitability and any additional considerations affecting the provision of support.
• Ensure referrals are processed promptly and in accordance with Pete’s Dragons’ referral pathways, eligibility criteria and service standards.
• Identify and appropriately escalate safeguarding, suicide risk or other significant concerns arising during the referral process.
• Allocate beneficiaries to the most appropriate SBS, considering individual need, practitioner skills and experience, existing caseload, capacity, location and other relevant factors.
• Maintain oversight of referrals awaiting allocation and ensure that beneficiaries do not become lost or unnecessarily delayed within the system.
• Monitor demand, waiting times, caseloads and team capacity and raise emerging pressures with the Beneficiary Services Manager.
• Ensure referral and allocation decisions are clearly and appropriately recorded.

Management and Leadership of the SBS Team

The SBS Manager will:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and management to approximately 10–12 Suicide Bereavement Specialists.
• Lead regular individual management 1:1s with each SBS.
• Lead group supervision and reflective practice opportunities as required.
• Lead daily SBS team meetings and scheduled practice meetings.
• Create a team culture which combines compassion and psychological safety with professional accountability and consistently high standards.
• Maintain regular contact with staff working across different Pete’s Dragons locations.
• Ensure staff have appropriate opportunities to raise concerns, discuss difficult work and seek management guidance.
• Monitor individual workload, caseload and capacity and intervene where concerns arise.
• Support staff wellbeing while maintaining clear expectations regarding professional responsibilities and service delivery.
• Provide appropriate telephone management support for SBS staff working outside normal office hours as required.

Quality Assurance and Practice Standards

The SBS Manager will hold responsibility for the quality of SBS practice and will:

• Undertake formal case audits for each SBS on a quarterly basis.
• Regularly review the quality, accuracy and completeness of beneficiary records and case documentation.
• Monitor SBS practice against Pete’s Dragons’ policies, procedures, practice standards and expected professional boundaries.
• Arrange and review recorded beneficiary sessions at appropriate intervals as part of ongoing practice quality assurance and practitioner development.
• Provide constructive feedback following practice reviews and agree actions or development plans where required.
• Identify excellent practice and ensure learning is shared across the team.
• Identify practice which falls below the expected standard and take timely action to support improvement.
• Monitor beneficiary engagement, missed appointments, case progression, case duration and closure practices.
• Ensure concerns regarding practice, conduct, competence or beneficiary safety are appropriately documented, addressed and escalated.
• Promote reflective professional practice and continuous improvement throughout the SBS team.

Safeguarding and Risk

The SBS Manager will:

• Act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for Pete’s Dragons. Appropriate DSO training can be provided where required.
• Share responsibility for the management and oversight of safeguarding cases within the organisation.
• Provide advice and support to SBSs where safeguarding concerns arise.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, recorded, escalated and acted upon in accordance with Pete’s Dragons’ Safeguarding Policy and relevant statutory guidance.
• Work collaboratively with other safeguarding leads and senior managers where complex or significant concerns arise.
• Promote confident and consistent safeguarding practice throughout the SBS team.
• Ensure staff understand the distinction between safeguarding, suicide risk, clinical concern and other forms of beneficiary risk and follow the appropriate organisational pathway.

Beneficiary Casework

To remain connected to frontline practice, the SBS Manager will:

• Maintain a small caseload of approximately 5–10 beneficiaries.
• Provide high-quality suicide bereavement support in accordance with Pete’s Dragons’ practice model, policies and standards.
• Maintain timely, accurate and appropriate case records.
• Model excellent professional boundaries, beneficiary communication and case management.
• Participate in appropriate clinical supervision for their own beneficiary work.
• Ensure management responsibilities remain the priority of the role and that their personal caseload does not compromise their availability to manage the service or support the SBS team.

People Management and HR

The SBS Manager will be responsible for all routine HR management relating to their direct reports, including:

• Recruitment and selection of Suicide Bereavement Specialists.
• Induction and probation.
• Regular management supervision.
• Annual appraisal and performance review.
• Identifying individual and team development needs.
• Supporting professional development and CPD.
• Attendance and absence management.
• Managing annual leave and ensuring adequate service capacity.
• Addressing performance, capability, conduct or behavioural concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Supporting staff wellbeing and identifying when additional support may be required.
• Working with the Beneficiary Services Manager and other appropriate colleagues on formal HR matters where necessary.
• Maintaining appropriate and confidential management records.

Training and Development

The SBS Manager will:

• Identify individual and collective training and development needs across the SBS team.
• Ensure mandatory training remains current.
• Support SBSs to develop their knowledge, confidence and professional practice.
• Use case audits, recorded-session reviews, supervision, beneficiary feedback and other quality measures to identify areas for development.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of internal practice training and workshops.
• Support newly appointed SBSs through induction and their transition into independent practice.

Policy, Procedure and Service Development

The SBS Manager will:

• Ensure organisational policies, procedures and agreed ways of working are consistently implemented within the SBS team.
• Communicate changes in policy or practice clearly and ensure staff understand what is expected of them.
• Monitor compliance and address inconsistent practice.
• Contribute frontline operational knowledge to the review and development of policies, procedures, pathways and practice standards.
• Support the Beneficiary Services Manager in implementing service developments and organisational change.
• Identify opportunities to improve beneficiary experience, efficiency, quality and consistency.

Monitoring and Reporting

The SBS Manager will maintain an accurate operational picture of the SBS service, including:

• Referral volumes.
• Referral processing and allocation.
• Waiting times.
• Individual and team caseloads.
• Team capacity.
• Beneficiary engagement.
• Case progression and closures.
• Safeguarding and risk themes.
• Quality assurance findings.
• Staff performance and development.
• Emerging operational risks or pressures.

The postholder will provide appropriate information and reporting to the Beneficiary Services Manager and ensure significant concerns are escalated promptly rather than waiting for routine reporting arrangements.

General Responsibilities

The postholder will:

• Work across Pete’s Dragons Devon locations as required.
• Represent Pete’s Dragons professionally with beneficiaries, colleagues, partners and external agencies.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements.
• Work within Pete’s Dragons’ policies, procedures, values and professional standards.
• Attend relevant internal and external meetings.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Undertake relevant training and continuing professional development.
• Work flexibly where reasonably required by the needs of the service.
• Participate in a limited out-of-hours telephone support arrangement for SBS staff undertaking authorised out-of-hours work.
• Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the seniority and purpose of the role.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience of managing and leading staff.
• Experience of managing a team delivering services to people with complex emotional or mental health needs.
• Relevant experience within mental health, bereavement, psychological support, social care or a closely related field.
• Experience of managing staff performance, development, wellbeing and HR matters.
• Experience of quality assuring professional or support-based practice.
• Experience of managing risk and making sound professional decisions in complex situations.
• Experience of working with confidential and sensitive information.
• Experience of balancing competing demands and managing a busy operational service.

Knowledge and Skills

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• A sound understanding of mental health, emotional distress, grief and vulnerability.
• The ability to assess information and make proportionate decisions regarding risk, urgency and service response.
• Strong safeguarding awareness and a willingness to undertake DSO training where not already qualified.
• The ability to challenge poor or unsafe practice appropriately and constructively.
• The ability to provide clear feedback and support staff development.
• Excellent organisational and workload-management skills.
• The ability to monitor service capacity and allocate work fairly and effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence in managing difficult conversations.
• Good professional judgement and the ability to know when matters should be escalated.
• Strong IT skills and the ability to use electronic case-management systems effectively.
• The ability to analyse service information and identify trends, risks and areas requiring improvement.

Personal Approach

The successful candidate will:

• Combine compassion with professional accountability.
• Be calm and confident when managing complex or emotionally demanding situations.
• Be approachable without losing appropriate managerial boundaries.
• Be willing to make and stand behind difficult decisions.
• Be curious about practice and committed to continual learning and improvement.
• Understand the importance of reflective practice when working with suicide bereavement.
• Be comfortable working within a service where risk, grief, trauma and emotional distress are part of everyday practice.
• Demonstrate integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
• Share Pete’s Dragons’ commitment to providing timely, appropriate and professional support following suicide bereavement.

Practical Requirements

• Full UK driving licence.
• Access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly between Pete’s Dragons locations and elsewhere across Devon.
• Ability to work flexibly according to service requirements.
• Ability to participate in limited out-of-hours telephone support for SBS staff.

Desirable

• Previous experience of suicide bereavement or postvention services.
• Previous experience of managing a geographically dispersed team.
• Safeguarding/DSO training.
• Experience of conducting case or practice audits.
• Experience of reviewing recorded professional practice sessions.
• Experience of delivering supervision, reflective practice or professional development sessions.
• Experience of recruitment within health, mental health, social care, bereavement or similar services.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches.

Scope and Accountability

This is a significant operational management role with responsibility for both people and practice.

The SBS Manager is accountable for ensuring that the SBS team is appropriately managed, beneficiaries are allocated safely and promptly, the quality of support is actively monitored, concerns are addressed rather than allowed to drift, and the Beneficiary Services Manager has an accurate understanding of the performance, capacity and risks within the service.

The postholder is expected to exercise professional judgement and autonomy within their delegated responsibilities while recognising when an issue requires escalation or strategic decision-making by the Beneficiary Services Manager.

About Toynbee Hall

Based in the East End of London since 1884, Toynbee Hall is a charity working alongside people facing poverty, injustice, and inequality to build a fairer East London. We provide vital advice and support, working in partnership to tackle unfairness and ensure everyone has an equal chance to thrive.

Job purpose

The Senior Advice Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management and coordination of Toynbee Hall’s debt advice services across multiple locations. The postholder will ensure services are appropriately resourced, accessible and delivered consistently, meeting agreed contractual, quality, compliance and performance requirements.

The Senior Advice Manager will manage and develop Debt Advisers, Trainee Debt Advisers and Administrators; monitor service performance and capacity; address operational issues and risks; and ensure appropriate action is taken where performance or quality falls below expected standards.

Working closely with the Head of Debt and Money, Quality Assurance and Technical Supervision colleagues, the postholder will use performance information, quality findings and operational insight to identify areas for improvement and ensure agreed actions are implemented.

Key Responsibilities

Management of local sites to ensure all services are available.

• Ensure local services are available daily by effectively managing staffing, sickness, annual leave, emergencies and operational challenges.
• Work closely with internal teams, external contractors and local stakeholders to ensure all sites operate safely, efficiently and in line with organisational standards.
• Identify resource gaps, operational risks and service pressures, implementing solutions to maintain service delivery and performance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, housing providers, community organisations and partner agencies, representing Toynbee Hall at meetings, networking events and community engagement activities to strengthen referral pathways.

Line management of a team to ensure objectives are set and met

• Lead, motivate and support the team to achieve agreed service, quality, compliance and performance objectives.
• Conduct regular one-to-one supervision, team meetings and performance reviews providing constructive feedback and clear expectations.
• Coach, mentor and develop staff, identifying learning and development needs supporting career progression and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and support on complex debt advice cases, ensuring advisers deliver accurate, compliant and client-centred advice.

Ensure compliance and the quality of advice required are achieved

• Ensure the team consistently delivers high-quality, client-focused debt advice in line with FCA requirements, funder expectations and Toynbee Hall policies.
• Monitor case quality through audits, supervision, management information and performance data, implementing improvement plans where required.
• Analyse service performance and management information, identifying trends, risks and areas requiring action, and provide recommendations to the Head of Debt and Money.
• Ensure case files meet all quality assurance, audit and contractual standards.
• Manage and respond to complaints relating to debt advice service delivery in line with Toynbee Hall’s complaints procedure, ensuring appropriate investigation, timely resolution and that learning is used to improve service delivery.

Essential Criteria

Experience and Skills 

• Significant experience of managing frontline advice services and managing highperforming teams to achieve service, quality and performance objectives.
• Demonstrable experience of line management, including supervision, performance management, coaching, mentoring and staff development, including effectively addressing underperformance.
• Experience of delivering regulated debt advice services and having management responsibility for maintaining high standards of quality, compliance and client care. • Proven ability to provide technical guidance and appropriate support on complex debt advice cases, working within agreed technical supervision and escalation arrangements.
• Hold a recognised debt advice qualification (e.g. CertMAP or equivalent) with demonstrable experience of delivering FCA-regulated debt advice and supporting the quality and development of debt advice practice.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to
  inspire and motivate others.
• Ability to build positive relationships with colleagues, partners, funders and external
  stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Our Benefits Package

Annual Leave

• 25 days of annual leave, plus 3 additional days for our Christmas shutdown (on top of bank holidays).
• After 2 years: +3 extra days of leave.
• After 3 years: +1 additional day.
• After 5 years: A total of 30 days annual leave, plus the 3-day Christmas shutdown.

Pension

• Standard Life Pension Scheme – Employer contribution: 4%, Employee contribution: 5%

Additional Perks & Support

• Enhanced Sick Pay for peace of mind during illness
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to support growing families
• Employee Eyecare Vouchers to support your vision health
• Employee Assistance Programme for free, confidential advice and support
• Mental Health First Aid to ensure workplace well-being
• Tenancy Deposit Scheme to help secure your home
• Interest-Free Season Ticket Loan for cost-effective commuting
• Cycle to Work Scheme to promote a healthier, greener way to travel
• Charity Mentoring Network to support professional development and networking
• Westfield Healthcare Cash Plan
• Perk Box

Further information

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications. 

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. 

Please refer to the attached job description for more details

Permanent | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Service to join our senior management team.

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead eight services with nine direct reports, spanning substance use and services for children and young people. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, significant senior leadership experience within substance use services is essential, including experience of leading CQC-regulated provision and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance. 

You will also need a strong understanding of safeguarding and the governance required to deliver safe and effective services for children and young people. Direct operational experience of Children & Young People services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong safeguarding and CYP governance experience alongside substantial substance use leadership. 

This permanent appointment offers the opportunity to provide long-term leadership to a significant portfolio and help shape the future development of Cranstoun’s services. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582