Head of service jobs

Our client is a leading Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Counselling training organisation and therapeutic services provider based in North London. They provide high quality, low-cost psychotherapy and counselling to children, young people, parents and families in over 35 schools and organisations in London and the South East as well as from their London-based therapeutic and training centre ‘The Bothy’. At an exciting time of change, the organisation are now looking to recruit a dynamic new Head of Services to oversee the efficient delivery and development of their therapeutic services.

As Head of Services you will be responsible for leading on the delivery, development and growth of the organisation's therapeutic services. You will oversee a small, tight-knit team (comprising of office staff, as well as a Clinical Lead and a School Liaison Coordinator), leading on administrative, marketing and budgeting for the entire service.  You will update and implement policies across the organisation to meet standards in the field of therapeutic provision and mental health services. You will also liaise with external agencies, statutory and non-statutory organisations and schools, nurturing relationships, identifying new clients and securing new contracts in order to develop additional revenue streams and ensure the financial sustainability of the Centre.

To apply for this role you will be a supportive leader with significant experience of overseeing staff and service operations previously. You will have an awareness of children mental health services (CAMHS) and related settings such as education, social care, health, public sector, and will be confident working in partnership and building relationships with a variety of external agencies. You will have the ability to think strategically and creatively with a solutions-focused attitude and will have knowledge of safeguarding processes. A recognised child psychotherapy qualification with UKCP or ACP training organisation would be an advantage.

In order to apply please initially submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will then arrange a suitable time to fully brief you on the role.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Victoria Savva at Prospectus.

Please note this is a full-time role and will be based on-site at the organisation's offices in North Finchley.

About the role

This senior leadership role provides strategic and operational oversight of WGN’s Clinical Services, ensuring the delivery of innovative, safe, high-quality, survivor-centred, trauma-informed and culturally responsive therapeutic support for survivors of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

As Head of Clinical Services, you will lead a multidisciplinary team delivering individual therapy, group work, body-based therapies and web-based counselling within WGN’s intersectional Black feminist framework and Holistic Empowerment Recovery (HER) Model. You will shape the strategic direction of clinical services, strengthen partnerships, embed strong clinical governance and safeguarding practice, and foster a culture of collective care, reflective practice and anti-oppressive leadership.

This role combines strategic leadership, service development, clinical oversight and people management to ensure WGN’s therapeutic services remain sector-leading, accessible and survivor-led.

About you

As Head of Clinical Services, you will:

• Provide strategic and clinical leadership across all therapeutic services, ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed, strengths-based and non-pathologising support within an intersectional feminist framework.

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, line managing senior clinical staff and embedding reflective practice, wellbeing and anti-oppressive leadership.

• Hold responsibility for safeguarding and risk management as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring robust case oversight and partnership working to keep survivors safe.

• Drive service development and innovation, using data, survivor feedback and best practice to shape responsive therapeutic pathways and specialist trauma interventions.

• Ensure equitable and inclusive access, strengthening referral pathways, managing demand with service managers and reducing barriers for marginalised survivors.

• Oversee monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance, ensuring compliance with professional standards and funder requirements and using learning to improve services.

• Build partnerships and sector influence, representing WGN externally and contributing to training, knowledge-sharing and policy discussions.

• Embed survivor voice and co-production across service design, delivery and development.

Closing date and Interviews

This vacancy is open to applications on a rolling basis with interviews taking place on a rolling basis.

We encourage early applications, as the role may close before the advertised date if a suitable candidate is appointed.

About us

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a pan-London organisation that supports women and girls affected by all forms of gendered-based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, gendered-based violence, whilst working towards a society free of gendered-based violence.

We do this by:

• Providing women-only holistic and seamless therapeutic services, which meet women and girls’ needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
• Evidencing the impact of gendered-based violence and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and responses to, gendered-based violence.
• Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery.

WGN is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer and a member of The London VAWG Consortium, Halo Code, and Helplines Partnership.

Join us and be part of a team that values your well-being, growth, and contribution.

We are deeply committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity and strength of the women and girls we serve, and we strongly encourage candidates from Black and Global Majority backgrounds with Lived Experience who may not meet all criteria to apply.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer. 

The above post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Closing Date: 15 February 2026

Ref 7251

Save the Children UK is looking for an experienced and collaborative leader to join us as Head of Service Operations. In this role, you will shape how colleagues across the organisation experience and use digital, data and technology services, working closely with senior leaders, technical teams and partners to ensure our services are accessible, effective and deliver maximum impact for children.

Note, internally, this role is referred to as Head of Customer Enablement, reflecting our customer-centric approach.

About us

Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children's unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

About the role

As Head of Customer Enablement, you will lead the function responsible for ensuring Save the Children colleagues receive reliable, high-quality and accessible digital, data and technology services. You will combine strong service management leadership with a strategic focus on customer enablement, ensuring teams are supported, confident and equipped to use technology effectively. As part of the DDaT senior leadership team, you will oversee service delivery, supplier relationships, budgets and continual service improvement, while acting as a trusted partner to stakeholders across the organisation.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the Customer Enablement function, owning service management processes and ensuring services are designed and delivered to maximise customer value.
• Act as a strong customer advocate for digital, data and technology, ensuring a consistently high-quality service experience across the organisation.
• Develop and grow the Service Desk and Customer Support functions, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, user experience and engagement.
• Take ownership of major incidents, coordinating teams and stakeholders to minimise impact and ensure clear, timely communication.
• Oversee supplier management, contracts, asset and licence management, procurement processes and budget control.
• Drive continual service improvement through customer insight, service reporting and the delivery of service improvement plans and operational projects.

About you

To be successful, it is important that you have:

• Proven experience in IT service management methodologies such as ITIL and COBIT with experience operating in complex environments.
• A track record of leading customer-focused IT services, service desks or support functions, with a strong emphasis on service quality and user experience and service performance monitoring.
• Experience managing budgets, procurement, suppliers and contracts, ensuring best value, compliance and effective risk management.
• Strong leadership and people management capability, with experience building, developing and empowering high-performing teams.
• Proven project management skills with a track record of identifying, scoping and delivering small to mid-size initiatives that improve service quality, customer experience or adoption of technology.
• Broad knowledge of software, operating systems, and cloud services with demonstrable experience in software licensing and asset management.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences and act as a trusted business partner.
• A strategic, improvement-focused mindset, balancing day-to-day operational delivery with longer-term customer enablement and service transformation goals.
• Commitment to Save the Children's vision, mission and values.

What we offer you:

Working for a charity provides one of the best benefits there is – a sense of purpose and reward for helping others. However, we understand the importance of giving back to our employees to ensure a happy and healthy working environment and work/life balance.

• We focus on flexibility, inclusion, collaboration, health and wellbeing both in and outside of work.
• We provide a wide range of benefits which will reward your hard work, motivate you, and inspire you to work to improve the lives of children every day. 

Please note: To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

Note, this is the Head of Customer Enablement position with job title adjusted for external advertising.

Ways of Working: 

The majority of our roles can be performed remotely in the UK, but at times you will be required to come to your contracted office (usually between 2–4 days per month, depending on the needs of your role, team, or service). For many roles, this is likely to be the minimum required to deliver impact. This will be discussed and agreed with your manager / team and we encourage candidates to discuss our ways of working in more detail at interview stage. 

Please note: travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. 

Out of hours working  
From time to time, you may be asked to work outside normal business hours, such as in the evening or at the weekend, to support activities like system upgrades or maintenance. This is expected to be infrequent (usually no more than four times a year) and we'll always give you as much notice as possible.

In exceptional situations, such as a major emergency, humanitarian response, cyber attack, or total system failure, you may be asked to temporarily adjust your working hours to help manage the situation.

Flexible Working - We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: 

Save the Children UK believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable where all children have the opportunity to change their world. We apply this to our workforce and we are committed to developing and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation where all employees have a sense of belonging and feel that they can be "Free to Be Me". We are not looking for just one type of person - we want to recruit people who can add fresh perspectives, innovative ideas or challenge that disrupts the risk of group think. 

We are especially interested in people whose childhood experiences - of life on a low income, of migration, of being in a racialised community, of the care system, of being LGBT+ or in an LGBT+ family or living with (or with someone with) a disability - help us to see things we might otherwise miss. Whatever your story is we want to hear it because we know that different voices, ideas, perspectives and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of children around the world. This is the reason why we are all here. 

A place to make a difference

Location: Peterborough, hybrid – 3 days a week onsite with occasional travel to other offices as required.
Salary: £66,003 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Hour: 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday between 8am and 6pm

With over 21,000 homes across the country, we’re responsible for supporting thousands of customers and their families.

We’re proud to build positive, long-lasting relationships that go beyond housing. The work we do supports our customers and creates vibrant communities where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

If you pride yourself on delivering the best customer care and want to use your skills to make a positive impact on families and communities, there’s a place for you at Accent.

About the role

We’re looking for a passionate, customer focused leader to head up our Repairs Contact Centre. This service is vital to the wellbeing and safety of our customers, and your work will make a direct difference to how people experience their homes.

As our Head of Customer Contact – Repairs, you’ll lead a dedicated team to deliver great customer and colleague experiences, achieve key performance measures, and drive quality across all repairs interactions. You’ll also help shape future contact channels and play a key role in improving Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs).

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading the repairs contact centre to deliver a consistent, customer centred service
• Managing performance, quality and colleague engagement
• Working closely with contractors and technical teams to improve the end to end customer journey
• Using data and insights to develop reporting and drive service improvements
• Influencing how customers connect with us in the future
• Building on a strong foundation to evolve and elevate the service

Salary

The spot salary for this post is £66,003 per annum for applicants who fully meet the requirements of the post. If you’re still developing some of the skills or experience, you can start at a salary 5% or 10% below the spot rate, with clear support and progression opportunities to reach the full amount.

About you

• CIH qualification or willingness to work towards
• Previous People Management experience, leading and managing a team in a high-volume, challenging, customer-focused, multi-channel contact centre environment
• Familiarity with managing customer expectations across varied contact channels, with an understanding of digital transformation and channel shift opportunities
• Previous experience of developing and coaching a team, managing performance and embedding a positive team culture
• Expertise in contact centre resource planning methods
• Financial and budget awareness, with the ability to monitor resources and manage costs.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present to teams and individuals
• Proficiency in ICT and telephony systems relevant to contact centre operations and MS Office packages
• Experience in performance management, dispute resolution, and driving team success through KPIs.

A place to build a future

We’ve got big ambitions and we’re looking for people who want to grow with us. Here, you’ll have the chance to learn new skills, shape your career, and thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter.

And because we believe great work deserves great rewards, here’s what you can look forward to:

• Generous time off – 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, an extra day for your birthday, and the option to buy more.
• Health & wellbeing support – Cash health plan, Health MOTs, online GP access, gym discounts, and a dedicated volunteering day for a cause you care about.
• Financial perks – Car leasing options, salary sacrifice schemes, and exclusive discounts through our benefits platform to help your money go further.
• Future-focused benefits – Access to both Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit pension schemes through salary sacrifice, plus life assurance at three times your salary for peace of mind.
• Family-friendly policies – Enhanced parental leave, flexible working options, and support for work-life balance.
• Career development – From Stepping into Management and Management Essentials training to our Leadership Academy, apprenticeships, and more – we’ll help you grow and succeed.

We’re Committed to Inclusion

We believe diversity makes us stronger and we’re committed to creating a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive.

Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and if you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, just let us know – we’ll make it happen.
Because this isn’t just a workplace – it’s a place to belong.

Please don’t delay in submitting your application. Where roles are urgent or we receive a high volume of applications, we may interview and conclude the process prior to any closing date indicated.

Please note candidates must have current eligibility to live and work in the UK, Accent do not currently hold a sponsorship license.

If you’re looking for a place you can make a positive difference to society, to our organisation and to your future, apply now.

Recruitment Agencies: We work exclusively with partners on our preferred supplier list (PSL) and do not accept unsolicited CVs or speculative approaches from agencies for this role.

You may also have experience in the following: Head of Customer Contact, Head of Customer Contact Centre, Head of Repairs Contact Centre, Customer Contact Centre Manager, Head of Customer Services, Director of Customer Contact, Customer Operations Manager, Contact Centre Operations Manager, Head of Customer Operations, Repairs Contact Centre Manager, Customer Experience Manager, Customer Services Operations Manager, Head of Repairs Services, Housing Contact Centre Manager, Customer Service Delivery Manager

REF-226 304

Main Duties

Strategy

• Working with senior leaders, lead on developing an organisational wide and joined up People & Volunteering Strategy aligned to organisational goals and workforce plans.

Oranisational Design and Culture

• Use engagement and feedback data to identify cultural risks and drive improvement.
• Lead strengthened leadership, coaching and management capability through clear expectations, advice and development frameworks.

Management

• Lead, coach and manage the People Services team to provide proactive support to the organisation, with a clear focus on the team’s development.

• Provide expert advice and guidance to managers and SLT on disciplinary and staff performance issues.
• Liaise with the external employment lawyers to make robust risk assessments on disciplinary and staff performance issues.

Volunteering and Resourcing

• Establish annual capacity and skills plans (headcount, volunteer hours, peak demand cover, succession planning).
• Review and implement a volunteering journey to support our volunteers.

Quality Framework

• Continue to develop and implement specific projects as part of The Passage’s internal quality framework ‘Excellence For All’.
• Lead a review to ensure there are clear and transparent salary ranges, job descriptions, aligned terms and conditions across the organisation.
• Ensure that People Services policies are up to date to reflect current legal and HR compliance and best practice.

Analytics and Systems

• Develop digital systems that add value to HR management with the organisation.
• Develop systems that give managers and staff ownership over their HR journey.
• Make use of workforce data and analytics to inform SMG of the development of improvements and interventions that can lead to enhanced HR and business outcomes.

Training

• Develop a learning and development strategy/plan for all staff to receive Continuous Professional Development.
• Develop a learning and training strategy for volunteers so that they are supported to fulfil their volunteering roles.

Reporting/Governance

• Responsible for the Peoples Services annual budget.
• Attend Senior Management Group (SMG) monthly meetings.
• Report to the People, Performance and Culture (PPC) Committee meeting.

Strategy

• Working with senior leaders, lead on developing an organisational wide and joined up People & Volunteering Strategy aligned to organisational goals and workforce plans.

Oranisational Design and Culture

• Use engagement and feedback data to identify cultural risks and drive improvement.
• Lead strengthened leadership, coaching and management capability through clear expectations, advice and development frameworks.

Management

• Lead, coach and manage the People Services team to provide proactive support to the organisation, with a clear focus on the team’s development.
• Design and lead implementation of frameworks to support those with responsibility for managing staff to demonstrate a consistent and high standard of line management and development across the organisation.
• To oversee a comprehensive training programme , including by developing a strategic training needs assessment to support the organisational values and aims.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to managers and SLT on disciplinary and staff performance issues.

Volunteering and Resourcing

• Establish annual capacity and skills plans (headcount, volunteer hours, peak demand cover, succession planning).
• Review and implement a volunteering journey to support our volunteers.

Quality Framework

• Continue to develop and implement specific projects as part of The Passage’s internal quality framework ‘Excellence For All’.
• Lead a review to ensure there are clear and transparent salary ranges, job descriptions, aligned terms and conditions across the organisation.
• Ensure that People Services policies are up to date to reflect current legal and HR compliance and best practice.

Analytics and Systems

• Develop digital systems that add value to HR management with the organisation.
• Develop systems that give managers and staff ownership over their HR journey.
• Make use of workforce data and analytics to inform SMG of the development of improvements and interventions that can lead to enhanced HR and business outcomes.

Training

• Develop a learning and development strategy/plan for all staff to receive Continuous Professional Development.
• Develop a learning and training strategy for volunteers so that they are supported to fulfil their volunteering roles.

Reporting/Governance

• Responsible for the Peoples Services annual budget.
• Attend Senior Management Group (SMG) monthly meetings.
• Report to the People, Performance and Culture (PPC) Committee meeting.

General Responsibilities

• In conjunction with your Line Manager to continuously develop the role to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner which meets the strategic aims and objectives of The Passage.
• To ensure that all The Passage policies and procedures are being adhered to, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
• To contribute to the effective implementation of The Passage’s Diversity and Equality Policy as it affects both The Passage and its work with vulnerable adults.
• To at all times undertake your role in a professional manner maintaining a high quality standard of work, and to always work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of The Passage.
• Undertake any other duties that may be required which are commensurate with the role.

Desired Experience

Experience

• E1: Proven experience in leading strategic HR initiatives that support organisational goals and culture.
• E2: Experience of working with senior leadership teams to influence organisational design and workforce planning.
• E3: Track record of managing complex employee relations and advising on disciplinary and performance issues.
• E4: Experience in developing and implementing learning and development strategies for staff and volunteers.
• E5: Experience of reporting to governance committees and contributing to organisational risk management.

Knowledge and Skills

• K1: Strong understanding of UK employment law, HR compliance, and best practice.
• K2: Knowledge of organisational design, performance management frameworks, and cultural development.
• K3: Ability to use HR data and analytics to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.
• K4: Skilled in developing inclusive policies and embedding equality, diversity, and wellbeing into organisational practice.
• K5: Proficiency in HR systems and digital tools to enhance efficiency and user experience.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or equivalent professional qualification (Level 7 desirable).

Join Bristol Animal Rescue Centre as our new Head of People and Organisational Services and play a vital role in shaping the future of animal welfare in Bristol and beyond.

Head of People and Organisational Services
Location: Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, 48-50 Albert Road, St Philips, Bristol BS2 0XA – occasional home-working may be possible subject to business requirements
Contract: Permanent 
ours per week: Part time, 28 hours per week (out of 35 hours FTE). To be worked usually within the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday with consideration of team requirements. Flexibility in hours required on occasion (e.g. trustee’s meetings 6/pa usually in evening and occasional staff and volunteer meetings outside of standard hours).
Salary: £46k – £50k per annum, pro rata depending on experience (£36,800 – £40k actual for 28 hour per week)

About Us:

Our mission is to ensure that animals in need within our community receive the compassion, care and respect they deserve. We are committed to helping, healing and homing animals for as long as they need us.

About the role:

The Head of People and Organisational Services is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s people strategy, volunteer programme, and core organisational services. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with Trustees and senior colleagues, the post holder ensures that the organisation has the right people, structures, systems and culture in place to deliver its mission effectively.

The role provides strategic and operational leadership across HR, volunteering, administration, customer service, safeguarding, data protection and compliance. Leading a multidisciplinary team, the post holder drives high standards of people management, employee wellbeing, volunteer engagement and organisational effectiveness, while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of People and Organisational Services contributes to organisational strategy, oversees departmental budgets, manages risk, and supports strong governance and stakeholder relationships. The role plays a critical part in fostering a positive, inclusive and values-led culture, aligned with a strong commitment to animal welfare and making a meaningful impact.

About you

• You are an experienced senior leader who enjoys working at a strategic level while staying connected to what’s happening on the ground.
• You are a confident, supportive and motivating manager who brings out the best in others and builds strong, engaged teams.
• You have a strong grounding in HR and are comfortable dealing with everything from day-to-day people issues to complex employee relations and organisational change.
• You are highly organised and adaptable, able to juggle multiple priorities across HR, volunteering, administration and customer service.
• You have a good head for compliance and governance, and you take pride in making sure organisations operate safely, fairly and within the law.
• You are comfortable working with trustees, senior leaders and external advisers, and can communicate clearly, professionally and with influence.
• You are data-informed and analytical, using insight to improve decision-making and organisational performance.
• You are innovative and forward-thinking, always looking for better ways to support people, volunteers and the wider organisation.
• You care deeply about wellbeing, inclusion and positive workplace culture, and you want people to feel valued and supported.
• You are a natural relationship-builder who works collaboratively across teams and with partners.
• You are committed to learning and professional development, keeping your skills and knowledge up to date.

Application deadline: Midnight on 1 February 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Bristol Animal Rescue Centre and Bristol A.R.C. are the working names for RSPCA Bristol & District Branch (a charity registered in England & Wales 205858) and the linked charity the Bristol Dogs and Cats Home (a charity registered in England & Wales 205858-1)

No agencies please.

Position: Head of Service Development
Hours: Full-time (35 hours a week)
Contract: Permanent
Location: Office-based in London, with flexibility to work remotely
Salary: £65,118 per annum, plus excellent benefits
Salary Band and Job Family: Band 4

About us

We make sure people living with MS are at the centre of everything we do. And it’s this commitment that unites us across the UK.

Our strategy is based on what people affected by MS have told us is important to them. It gives us a clear and determined focus.

Our work is based on the hopes and aspirations of our MS community. Together we campaign at all levels, fund ground-breaking research and provide award winning support and information.

Our people are our greatest asset and the key to our success. We offer a vibrant, progressive working environment where you'll be able to make a difference.

About this job

This year, we’ve embarked on introducing a bold, exciting new operating model and structure to improve our services and support to help everyone affected by MS.

We’re making it easier for people who use our services to find and connect to the support they need. And we're looking at ways to make our support more accessible and personalised to meet people’s individual needs, no matter where they are on their MS journey.

We’re creating services that are flexible so that, when someone's circumstance changes, we’ll change too. As demand for our services grows, we’ll always be ready to support everyone who needs our help. 

Our new structure and our new ways of working will bring all of these services together under one delivery model launching next year. We're creating a new virtual support hub to bring together everything our community needs to manage their MS or support and care for someone living with MS.

Our Services Development team are responsible for: UK-wide service development and experience design, community development

Our Head of Services Development will be:

• leading the development and continuous improvement of our UK-wide and community-based services, ensuring they are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with organisational strategy.  And also working alongside our Digital Services Product Manager on all of our digital services.
• overseeing the full-service development lifecycle, using evidence to drive continuous improvement and ensuring that lived experience is embedded into design.
• ensuring that our new or improved services are operationally viable. Supporting our Fundraising to ensure that new services are funded.
• Developing and managing our service development roadmap.  
• With the Director of Service Development, acting as an organisational lead for coproduction / lived experience. Driving best practice and upskilling in coproduction and lived experience involvement and participation across the organisation.  

We’re looking for:

• significant experience of leading coproduction and service experience design, and ability to support others to deliver these activities.
• ability to lead organisational discussions and be an authoritative champion based on subject expertise (for coproduction, service development and innovation).
• experience of effectively implementing change and improvement across an organisation, and ability to drive continuous improvement across a department.
• experience of leading service development and managing the service lifecycle (including horizon scanning, research, coproduction, piloting and using monitoring and evaluation data to make improvements), ideally in a health or third sector setting.
• substantial experience of people management, in a team of similar size or complexity. Demonstrable ability to lead, manage and support others to deliver high-quality results.
• Proven experience in policy implementation, compliance and risk governance (and with an understanding of Safeguarding and demonstratable experience implementing Safeguarding policies).

Closing date for applications: 9:00 on Monday 2nd February 2026

Interested?

PLEASE PRESS THE 'HOW TO APPLY' BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled people and or people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.

We’d be grateful if you downloaded and completed the equality and diversity monitoring form and submit it with your application. 

Disability Confident Employer 
We’re a Disability Confident Employer and we’re committed to promoting equality and diversity.

You can ask for reasonable adjustments as part of both our recruitment and new starter on-boarding processes.

If you need any help or adjustments to apply for this role, please contact us. You can also ask for the application materials to be sent to you in a different format. Such as for them to be sent to you by email or in a larger word format.

More about our recruitment and selection process 

• The first round of our recruitment and selection process includes an interview with competency-based questions.
• Our recruitment and selection process might also include extra tasks. For example, a written or Microsoft Excel test or making a presentation.  
• We’ll let you know what the selection process will include when we invite you to interview. You can ask for any more reasonable adjustments for the interview as part of the invitation.
• You might also be invited for a second interview. We’ll let you know about this during the selection process.

More about our employee benefits:
We have a wide range of employee benefits including (but not limited to): 

Encouraging work life balance

• 39 days paid annual leave (including bank holidays), pro-rata for part-time
• More annual leave entitlement, based on length of employment
• Smart working options (with the opportunity to work remotely and find a smart working pattern that suits both you and us) 
• Flexible working options 

Caring for you and your family 

• Generous sick pay entitlement
• More sick pay entitlement, based on length of employment 
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave in each calendar year 
• Free access to a GP virtually 24 hours a day/7 days a week allowing you unlimited advice, reassurance and where appropriate diagnosis 
• Enhanced leave for new parents 
• Free access to a confidential 24 hours a day/7 days a week helpline service for both you and your family with a specialist range of support and information
• Special leave options (such as up to 5 days paid leave for domestic or personal emergencies a year)
• 10 days paid disability leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• 10 days paid carers’ leave a year, pro-rata for part-time 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Death in service scheme
• New family-friendly benefits, including paid leave:
  • In the event of miscarriage or still birth 
  • To support fertility treatments
  • For antenatal appointments for both parents

Thinking about your finances 

• Enhanced salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Discounted season ticket loan and interest-free emergency loans
• Give as you earn to support other charities of your choice before tax
• New employee portal including lifestyle savings vouchers and personal wellbeing

Enriching your life at work

• Personalised development plans with a wide range of training courses and opportunities to source additional training options with your line manager
• Yearly internal apprenticeship opportunities
• New, modern offices that embrace working together both in-person and remotely 
• Various opportunities to influence how we internally operate (including surveys, and focus and committee groups) 
• Active and supportive internal employee networking groups for collaboration and peer support 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering for MS Society activities during normal working hours (such as fundraising events, or campaigning in the local community) 
• 2 days paid leave a year for volunteering with other charities during normal

Safeguarding 
We’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services and we come into contact with.

This is regardless of Gender, Race, Disability, Sexual orientation, Religion or belief, Pregnancy, Gender reassignment.

We recognise our particular responsibility to make sure vulnerable adults and children are protected.

We have measures in place to protect everyone we come into contact with from abuse and maltreatment of all kinds.

Your right to work in the UK 
You must have the right to work in the UK to work in paid employment with us. You’ll need to share documents showing you’re eligible to work in the UK if we offer you employment.

You can find the UK visas and permits granting you the right to work in the UK on the UK Government website. We currently don’t have a Sponsor Licence agreement with the Home Office and aren’t able to support you with your visa applications.

No agencies please.

Primary Purpose:

The Head of Services is a key member of Age UK Cheshire’s Senior Leadership Team, designated Safeguarding Lead, and leads all aspects of the organisation’s service operations.
Following the successful integration of existing services, this role will work closely with a supportive CEO and board on the next phase of development of our new organisation, building on the strong history and reputation of two charities, to meet the needs of a growing ageing population across Cheshire.
The successful candidate will understand the strategic need to combine impactful data with storytelling, influencing internal and external stakeholders to join us in our mission.
The role involves representing Age UK Cheshire externally, championing the voices of older people, to influence decision makers and commissioners to help ensure older people aren’t forgotten in a challenging funding environment.

Additional Information: 

Rising poverty, digital exclusion and rural isolation are creating a perfect storm of loneliness for thousands of older people. Age UK Cheshire is a local, independent charity dedicated to supporting older people across the whole of Cheshire. We offer a lifeline for people in later life to access the information and support they need.

If you embody our values of respectful, honest and person centred, and are passionate about supporting those who built the world we now live in, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll be joining Age UK Cheshire at a pivotal time following the merger of Age UK Cheshire and Age UK East Cheshire in July 2024. Following the successful integration of existing services, you’ll work closely with a supportive CEO and board on the next phase of development of our new organisation, building on the strong history and reputation of two charities, to meet the needs of a growing ageing population across Cheshire.

You’ll have a strategic vision for developing and future proofing services, whilst staying close to operational realities. You will lead the delivery of measurably impactful services, and ensure our resources are directed where they can make the greatest difference for older people across Cheshire.

You’ll understand the strategic need to combine impactful data with storytelling, influencing internal and external stakeholders to join us in our mission.

You’ll represent Age UK Cheshire externally, championing the voices of older people, to influence decision makers and commissioners to help ensure older people aren’t forgotten in a challenging funding environment. You’ll build strong relationships and partnerships across the local authorities, NHS, and voluntary sectors.

This is also a people leadership role. You'll develop and manage a team, creating a high-performing culture where accountability and support go hand in hand. You'll role-model best practice, share knowledge freely, challenge constructively, and coach colleagues to develop their own approach.

This role offers a unique chance for an experienced service-delivery leader to shape the future of a respected local charity, drive innovation and impact — in a supportive, values led culture with an ambitious and passionate team.

Together we can make Cheshire a place where older people are not only seen, but respected and valued every day.