Area manager jobs

Warwickshire & Solihull Community and Voluntary Action

is recruiting

Area Programme and Development Manager (Solihull)

£44,088 per annum pro rata

30 hours per week

Permanent subject to funding

Hybrid/Office (The Core, Solihull) with regular travel

across Solihull and occasionally Warwickshire and Birmingham

About CAVA

CAVA provides infrastructure support to the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector across Warwickshire and Solihull. CAVA also works heavily in partnership with its respective organisations in both Birmingham and Coventry, collaborating across the landscape to reduce inequality. CAVA operates as a Volunteer Centre and delivers projects that support social and community action through the voices and engagement of local people.

CAVA has offices based in Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Rugby, Stratford-Upon-Avon and a dedicated office space within a shared Community Hub in Solihull.

Area Programme and Development Manager

Area Programme and Development Manager will work as part of the Management Team and are key ambassadors for the organisation and the wider VCFSE. They provide leadership and accountability for the work of CAVA, overseeing and growing our position and portfolio of work as the VCFSE Infrastructure organisation for both Solihull and Warwickshire. The manager also occasionally works in partnership with the Board of Trustees on matters related to strategy and governance.

The Opportunity

The Area Programme and Development Manager will provide management and leadership of CAVA’s Solihull portfolio, which is at an evolving and exciting phase of integration across the Borough.

The Area Programme and Development Manager has a key role in leading and shaping CAVA’s presence in Solihull, working strategically alongside the Board and Management Team, to lead the organisation into its next era of growth and delivery.

The Area Programme and Development Manager has a key role and responsibility representing voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise groups and organisations, providing a strong and confident voice on behalf of the sector as we work alongside partners from the Public, NHS and the wider Integrated Care System (ICS).

The remit provides the successful candidate the opportunity to make a significant impact to reduce inequality within communities by supporting the VCFSE sector and working in a dynamic and collaborative environment, especially through prevention, early intervention and community engagement.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (please see Job Description for full details)

- Leadership and Management of the Solihull programme portfolio (including public sector contract) and CAVA Strategy

- Line Management of a small, focussed team

- Strategy, Planning and Control in line with need, compliance, business planning, lead areas

- Financial Management including setting and managing budgets and risk in line with sustainability and financial controls/compliance

- External Representation and Partnership Working across the landscape, provide the voice of the sector and working in collaboration, alongside public VCFSE, private, public and statutory sector partners

- Income Generation and Growth through the writing of tender and funding applications, evaluation and funding returns/reports and including other fundraising strategies

- Office Management environment within your area in line with regulatory policies, procedures and delivery need

- Corporate Support and Team Participation in wider, CAVA activity and events

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual with evidence of:

- strong programme leadership and management experience and skills

- a strong and analytical eye for detail supporting contract management in line with KPI’s and budgets

- ideally, a background of working in the VCFSE sector

- confident, objective and effective voice and communication skills at all levels

- collaborative skills working as part of a supportive Senior Management Team

- a commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and reducing inequality

- a ‘can do’ approach to work and objective thinker and problem solver

- skills and experience of writing tenders and funding applications

 Values

All employees are expected to demonstrate CAVA’s values by working positively as part of a team, delivering high quality services where all are supported and encouraged and to promote an ethos which values and encourages equality and diversity within the organisation and is respected through the VCFSE.

To apply for this role, you are required to hold a driving licence and have use of a car for work purposes. Flexibility to undertake occasional work out of contracted hours is essential for this role.

Competitive salary and benefits package including enrolment with an employee assistance programme of support.

If you think you fit the brief for this exciting role, please view the job opportunity on our website and submit your CV, accompanied by a covering letter which outlines why you would like this job and what you could contribute, focusing on the criteria detailed in the job description and person specification Letters should be no more than 3 sides and if typed, no smaller than size 11 font.

Closing Date: Monday 29th June 2026 at 10am

Interviews: Monday 13th July 2026

No agencies please

WCAVA is an equal opportunities employer

‘Putting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into Practice’

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 Kensignton and Chelsea. please be aware there is no step free access at this premises.

Salary: £45,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:00. Onsite face to face service, with flexibility around these hours required. All managers, including this position will take part in the out of hours on call duty. 

Interviews Date: Interviews will commence 12th June 2026.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced and driven Area Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality, trauma-informed services across our organisation.

In this role, you will oversee multiple services, ensuring they operate effectively, meet performance standards, and deliver positive outcomes for residents and participants. You will play a key role in driving recovery, rehabilitation, and independence, while fostering a psychologically informed environment.

You’ll lead a team of frontline managers and coordinators, providing strong leadership, oversight, and strategic direction. You’ll also be responsible for managing service contracts, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, and supporting continuous improvement across your services.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead and manage multiple services, ensuring high standards of delivery and performance
• Drive a culture of recovery, inclusion, and continuous improvement
• Oversee service compliance with organisational policies, procedures, and commissioner requirements
• Manage service contracts and support the development and implementation of new services
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to frontline managers and coordinators
• Monitor performance, analyse data, and implement improvements where needed
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders
• Ensure services are trauma-informed and promote psychologically informed environments (PIE)
• Support services to achieve positive outcomes for residents, including independence and stability
• Manage risk, safeguarding, and health & safety across services

About You

We’re looking for a confident and compassionate leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality support services.

You will be a proactive and adaptable individual who can lead teams through change, manage competing priorities, and consistently drive improvement. You’ll bring strong leadership skills, the ability to influence others, and a commitment to delivering person-centred services.

You will also be values-driven, with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with complex needs, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience managing services within a similar sector (e.g. social care, supported housing, or related field)
• Strong leadership experience, including managing managers or multiple teams
• Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches and psychologically informed environments (PIE)
• Experience managing contracts, compliance, and service delivery against KPIs
• Ability to analyse performance data and implement service improvements
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work strategically while remaining hands-on when needed
• A proactive, solution-focused approach in a fast-paced environment
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and regulatory requirements
• Commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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.