Head of service jobs

Camberwell, London with occasional travel

Ref: HCT-261

We are looking for an experienced and values-driven Head of IT & Central Services to provide strategic leadership and operational management across our IT and central services functions.

About St Giles Trust
An ambitious, well-established charity that helps people facing adversity to find jobs, homes and the right support they need.  Central to our ethos is our belief that people with first-hand experience of successfully overcoming issues such as an offending background, homelessness, addictions and gang involvement, hold the key to positive change in others.

About the Role
This is a senior leadership role, responsible for ensuring that St Giles has secure, efficient, and compliant systems and working environments that enable our staff, volunteers, and services to thrive. You will oversee IT infrastructure and systems, cyber and information security, data protection and GDPR, facilities and property management, health & safety, and office administration (including reception).

You will lead a multidisciplinary team (5 direct and 5 indirect reports) and work closely with external suppliers and outsourced IT partners to deliver high-quality, value-for-money services aligned with our organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s IT strategy, ensuring systems are secure, resilient, and fit for purpose
• Oversee IT operations, service desk provision, and supplier relationships, including outsourced IT services
• Ensure robust cyber security, information security, and information governance policies and controls are in place
• Lead and deliver IT and infrastructure projects on time and within budget
• Oversee data protection and GDPR compliance across systems, processes, and staff awareness
• Manage property and facilities across sites, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective working environments
• Lead health & safety compliance, including policies, risk assessments, and training
• Oversee office administration and reception services, ensuring a professional and welcoming experience
• Lead, develop, and support a multidisciplinary team across IT, facilities, and office services
• Contribute to organisational strategy as a member of the senior leadership team
• Promote sustainable working practices and reduce the environmental impact of St Giles’ operations
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion, and support St Giles’ approach to employing and developing people with lived experience

About You
You will be a strategic and practical leader with significant experience in IT and operational leadership roles, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector. You will be confident managing complex systems and compliance requirements, while also leading people with empathy and integrity.

You will bring:

•  7–10+ years’ experience in IT and/or operations leadership
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, cloud systems, networks, and cyber security best practice
• Experience overseeing central services such as facilities, health & safety, data protection, or office administration
• A proven track record of managing external suppliers and contracts
• Experience developing and embedding policies and compliance frameworks (e.g. GDPR, H&S)
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical or compliance matters to non-specialists
• Strong leadership skills, with experience developing multidisciplinary teams
• A commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical practice
• An understanding of the challenges and constraints faced by the charity sector

Our Values

We are looking for someone who reflects and lives our values:

• Empowering and enabling others
• Supportive and persistent
• Creative and flexible
• Empathic and proactive
• Inclusive and collaborative
• Clear and open in communication

Recruitment Timeline
Closing date: 21st January 2026. Interviews will take place on: 28 January 2026
Candidates should ensure availability on this date when applying.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, clinical therapist sessions, life insurance (4 x annual salary), duvet days, season ticket loan, employee perks programme, eye care voucher and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion-confident employer. We welcome all applications, and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation.

St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

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.

Are you an experienced leader in homelessness or housing? We’re seeking a Head of Homeless Services to drive innovation, support our team, and shape the future of our vital Restart service.

About Resolve

Resolve supports people facing some of the most difficult challenges in life, substance misuse and homelessness. Our aim is to help individuals move towards stability and independence, building safe, positive and sustainable lives.

We deliver this through two main services. Our Restart Homeless and Rough Sleeping service provides targeted rough sleeping outreach, supported accommodation for 14 tenants and long-term guidance to help people to move forward and avoid returning to homelessness. In addition our Drug and Alcohol Treatment service, based in Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth, provides abstinence-focused, psychosocial support for people seeking recovery. 

We are entering an exciting period of growth, with a refreshed brand and website, and a passionate team driving innovation across our services. We have a new strategic plan which looks to expand services, guided by our values of Trust, Passion, Partnership and Respect, to reach and help more people.

With the Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s new Homeless and Rough Sleeping Strategy, this is a great moment to join Resolve and help shape the future of homelessness and rough sleeper support in our community.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Homeless Services will lead, develop and deliver all aspects of Resolve’s Restart service. You will oversee rough sleeping outreach, accommodation and intensive one-to-one support, ensuring people move towards secure housing and improved wellbeing.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. You will inspire a dedicated team, drive service innovation, and strengthen partnerships across the sector, while ensuring high standards of care, safeguarding and compliance. Above all, you will play a key role in shaping the future of Resolve and making a lasting difference for people experiencing homelessness and substance misuse.

Salary: £35,000 – £40,000 (salary conditional on pending salary review)

Location: Hatfield, Hertfordshire (with regular travel across Welwyn Hatfield Borough and occasional travel to Letchworth)

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week (including a 30 minute per day paid break)

Holiday: 36 days annual leave including bank holidays

Contract Type: Permanent

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer 

Key Responsibilities

• Service Leadership & Delivery
• Team Management & Development
• Organisational Leadership
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Compliance
• Partnership & External Relations 

Person Specification

• Proven experience in the homelessness or housing sector.
• Confident in engaging with vulnerable individuals, including those in crisis.
• Significant team and people management experience.
• Excellent communication skills – verbal, written and interpersonal.
• Strong organisational and IT skills, including Microsoft Office, Teams and case management systems.
• A values-driven approach and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to manage day to day operations and also think ‘bigger picture’ and longer term.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a management role – it’s an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference. You will:

• Lead a passionate team at a time of growth and renewal.
• Shape and develop innovative homelessness and rough sleeping services.
• Work in a supportive, values-driven organisation in the heart of the local community.

Benefits

• Flexible working options to support a healthy work / life balance.
• An informal, friendly and supportive workplace culture.
• Access to professional clinical supervision and support, helping you develop and maintain resilience in a challenging and meaningful role.
• Free on-site parking or costs reimbursed.
• Enhanced 36 days annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays).