Head of volunteer transformation jobs in birmingham, west midlands
Salary: £58,504.00 per annum plus a company car
Location: Home based with regular travel across England and Scotland including visits to shops and Old Street
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 37.5 per week
Closing date: Wednesday the 14th of January at 11:30pm
Interviews will be taking place on the 23rd and 27th of January online
Are you a resilient, adaptable leader with proven experience in multi-site retail operations? Shelter is looking for a Head of Retail Operations to join our Retail Senior Leadership team in this exciting new role.
You’ll provide hands on operational leadership while driving long-term planning, systems improvement and service transformation – shaping the future of Shelter Retail to fuel our fight for home.
About the role
This brand new leadership opportunity offers the chance to shape the future of Shelter’s retail operations across England and Scotland.
You will bring strategic vision and operational authority across Shop Support & Buying, E-Commerce Reselling, Store Development, Retail Acquisitions and Retail Operations. As a senior representative you will champion the vital role our shops play as income generators, brand touchpoints and community assets that fuel the fight for home.
With proven experience of leading diverse teams, managing budgets and driving operational excellence you will inspire colleagues, strengthen communication across our shop network and ensure our estate operates consistently, compliantly and sustainably. Above all, you will drive accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement to help Shelter maximise its impact across England and Scotland.
About you
You’ll bring extensive senior leadership experience in multi-site operations, with a provide record of driving performance and commercial success. Skilled at leading diverse teams across operations, buying, projects and support functions, you will balance strategic vision with hands-on delivery.
Be confident navigating complex organisations and influencing senior stakeholders, you’ll also offer robust project management and property operations expertise, from shop openings to system rollouts. Financially astute you are comfortable with budgets, KPI’s and commercial modelling and thrive when leading through change and complexity.
Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About the team
The senior leadership team is in period of transition, laying the foundations for the next three years as Shelter retail grows its presence across high streets in England and Scotland, ensuring to embed operational excellence in everything we do. With over 200 staff members and 2000 volunteers across 80 shops, spanning community, furniture and boutique outlets – our central team of 20 supports shop colleagues to maximise income and profitability to fuel Shelter’s fight for home.
How to apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ on the advert. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement with responses to the points in the About You section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format.
- We create change and align behind our strategy
- We enable decision making
- We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
Safeguarding statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is a new role within our client following functional changes over a number of years. The Head of Supported Living is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and developing supported living services for adults with learning disabilities within the charity including our client's Shared Lives schemes and their residential home.
The role ensures that services are person-centred, high-quality, and compliant with regulatory and organisational standards, while empowering individuals to live independently and achieve their goals.
Leading culture and change with experience, integrity, collaboration and transparency sits at the heart of the role.
The role responsibilities will ensure that our client is able to support more people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems to lead healthy, active and equal lives. Their ambition is to become a leader in social and green care integration through the alignment of the personalisation agenda, technological enhancement and advancement and holistic health and wellbeing.
To achieve this ambition, they will transform their services to ensure that they are effective, efficient and impact and outcomes focused. There will be clarity of the offer, understanding of the financial modelling in a very challenging political environment and respect of the unique culture and history of the Charity whilst innovating through the power of accessible technology.
The post will be responsible for ensuring that services are targeted at people who will gain the most benefit from the Trust’s community (campus) offer within rural and urban contexts. The role will create an “expert driven” provision which is evidence based and provides independent living and a life of opportunity through an ethos of co-production, health and wellbeing.
The role will implement agreed strategy, developing delivery plans that are executed with high quality communication and engagement ensuring that the voices of both staff, people supported and families are heard.
The role will be responsible for continuous value for money service enhancement and will deliver significant growth ensuring close and meaningful relationships with authorities, commissions and private markets resulting in increased funding and healthy waiting lists for the homes and services provided. The post will be responsible for a significant budget and will require the financial acumen to manage this effectively.
As a direct report to a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT) the role becomes a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will be pivotal in delivering an ambitious transformation agenda and delivering the charity’s Brilliant Future Strategy.
Location & Travel
West Midlands, Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire
The role will cover our communities at Stourbridge (West Midlands), Grange Village & Oaklands Park (Gloucestershire) and St Albans & Delrow, Watford (Hertfordshire).
You will be based at one of the communities within the region, with regular travel between communities.
You will be required to attend quarterly leadership away days and other meetings which will require overnight stays.
Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership
- Lead, manage, inspire and develop high performing, highly respected and skilled supported living teams across three communities, supporting and line-managing direct reports to achieve agreed objectives, which will in turn support the delivery of the wider strategic objectives of the Trust.
- Foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, and respect.
- Actively contribute to the Senior Leadership Team, sharing collective responsibility for the development, delivery and evaluation of cross-departmental projects and activities.
- Implement the operational delivery plan that delivers the strategy for supported living services, aligning with the charity’s mission and values.
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery to meet the evolving needs of service users with a particular focus on an ageing population and integration of younger people’s services.
- Monitor and respond to sector trends, legislation, and best practices to maintain a leading-edge in-service provision.
- Lead evidence based, high quality communication and engagement opportunities at community level that support the Trust to become an irresistible employer, measured through agreed annual and pulse survey results, positive feedback and clear understanding of the Trust’s direction of travel and objectives.
- Understand, contribute and support the fundraising needs of the charity to ensure added value for those that we support.
- Working with peers, people supported and practitioners; develop digital innovation and technology solutions to create a modern, flexible service and opportunities to support and evidence healthy lifestyle choices that align to the Trust’s Green Care goals.
- Support the development of a Theory of Change for Supported Living and Housing Management across the region and be responsible for implementation of agreed outcomes.
- Ensure effective recruitment, training, and professional development of staff.
Supported Living Operations
- Ensure the delivery of measurable and high performing supported living services. Manage and drive improvements in the performance and quality of all services by setting clear objectives, targets and KPIs, evidence regular monitoring and implementation of actions to address under performance.
- Ensure all supported living services meet or exceed regulatory standards (e.g. CQC or equivalent) and internal quality benchmarks.
- Develop and implement systems to measure and report on service outcomes and impact.
- Lead on contract negotiations with funding bodies and across the region to maximise income for the delivery of supported living services.
- Ensure services are co-produced and that co-production is central to the work of the supported living teams and services are delivered in line with the ‘I-statements’.
- Through the Theory of Change, develop a clear model of active support that enables independence and clarity of needs led provision.
People We Support Advocacy
- Promote a person-centred approach, ensuring that people we support have choice, control, and opportunities to achieve their Life of Opportunity aspirations.
- Establish systems for gathering and responding to feedback from those supported and their families.
- Embed the Family Charter and support a culture of transparency.
- Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are rigorously implemented and adhered to.
Housing Management
- Ensure properties are fully let to minimise void loss to the target groups identified in the approved strategy.
- Work with colleagues in the Property and Land Services to secure alternative use for unlettable properties to maximises income aligned to agreed plans, tenure and opportunity.
Strategy Implementation, planning, budgeting, and reporting
- Contribution to and implementation of the approved strategies and tactical plans that support the delivery of a Brilliant Future (e.g. Older People, Community Development, Stakeholder Engagement) .
- Develop and manage a significant and comprehensive operational annual budget and set of KPIs in line with income constraints and create evaluation & monitoring systems that drive value for money and agreed delivery objectives.
- Develop and manage budgets for supported living services, ensuring financial sustainability recognising that the Charity does not fundraise for statutory provision.
- Monitor and control expenditure, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
- Provide monthly insights, performance reports and analysis using proportionate systems appropriate to different audiences and including Executive, Board of Trustees and Trust strategic documents (such as Annual Report and Impact Reporting).
- Ensure contracts are approved and in place for the delivery of all commissioned services.
- Ensure the service procures goods and services in line with the established governance frameworks in place at the Charity.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Lead on the development and maintenance of purposeful operational relationships with key stakeholders within the region including funders, commissioners, health services and other partners.
- Work with stakeholders to develop and transform services to meet evolving needs of the local community.
- Support fundraising activity by providing impact reporting as required by the fundraising team and our supporters and local development of volunteering programmes that add value to the unique services of the trust.
- Build meaningful relationships with families in a way that is transparent and aligned to good practise and safeguarding/MCA principles.
- Advocate for the needs and rights of adults with learning disabilities within local and national forums.
- Represent the charity at key events, meetings, and networks.
- Identify and pursue relevant funding opportunities including grants, contracts and partnerships ensuring that key stakeholders are informed and aware of relevant opportunities.
Transformation and Change
- Contribute to, and support, the Theory of Change development of the current model for delivery of supported living
- Lead the services across the region through transformational leadership and collaborative implementation of the new model for supported living
Governance, Regulation and EDIB
- Ensure that all supported living activities adhere to charity and housing legislation and meet contractual obligations
- Ensure supported living services comply with the regulatory requirements of the Care Quality Commission.
- Represent the charity internally and externally, including Trustee meetings, as required.
- Observe and comply with all Camphill Village Trust policies, including the key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Data Protection, Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Information Technology Policies and Procedures.
- Own, develop and review the suite of policies and procedures and delivery frameworks for Green Care and Education and Skills.
- Ensure the development, implementation and review of risk registers and business continuity plans for communities and services in the region.
- You will champion a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging ensuring all team members feel valued, respected and empowered to carry out their role successfully and support the delivery of our strategy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- Leadership in Health and Social Care level 5 or equivalent.
Desirable
- Safeguarding Adults level 5 or equivalent.
- Professional Housing Qualification level 5 or above.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential:
- Experience of working and leading teams in not for profit and voluntary sector organisations which deliver services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
- Can demonstrate a strong understanding of the needs and rights of adults with learning disabilities.
- Experience in coaching and mentoring for success.
- Experience in significant budget management responsibilities.
- Experience in seeking new growth opportunities that are aligned to business strategy.
- Significant experience of managing change, successful service redesign and transformation, in particular lean thinking and other typical models.
- Experience of successfully leading teams to affect and embed change through powerful communications and engagement.
- Knowledge of housing management and housing legislation.
- Experience of leading housing management services within a context of delivering supported living.
- Experience in the development and implementation of policy and procedure.
- Knowledge of Care Quality Commission regulations as they relate to supported living, residential care and shared lives.
- Experience of leading teams over a wide geographical location combining hybrid working styles.
- Know what constitutes excellent safeguarding practice.
- Track record of successful contract negotiation.
- Experience in developing and implementing systems that evidence performance, outcomes and impacts.
Desirable:
- Experience of developing digital transformation opportunities and the implementation of innovation and digital systems.
- Experience in the development and implementation of Theory of Change methodology.
Personal Attributes
- Excellent communicator – who can communicate with a wide range of people and using a variety of methods.
- Excellent interpersonal, rapport building and active listening skills.
- Good organisational and project management skills.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Able to support and coach others.
- Good team player - able to lead teams and be part of a team.
- Be an ambassador for the Trust and represent the Trust at events and meetings.
- Ability to manage complex information and present it in a coherent manner.
- Ability to travel between communities and stay overnight as required.
Our client is an equal opportunity employer.
Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults who use their services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant pre-employment checks including a DBS check
They reserve the right to close this advert early if they receive a sufficient number of applications.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Role Description
The purpose of the Executive Assistant role is to provide administrative, organisational and coordination support to the Executive Team, ensuring their time and attention are aligned with organisational priorities, goals, and objectives. The role covers executive coordination, governance administration and project support. The Executive Assistant enables effective decision making across the Leadership Team, supports the smooth delivery of priorities, and contributes to the execution of long-term strategic goals.
The Executive Team comprises the Chief Executive, Operations Director and Business Development Director. They work together as part of the Leadership Team, comprising key leaders from across the charity.
Excellent attention to detail is crucial, as is the ability to operate with discretion and flexibility. A high standard of written and verbal communication is essential. The role requires collaboration across Finance, HR, Trustees, and external stakeholders, and an understanding of effective charity governance would be desirable.
This role requires a high level of emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation. Success in this role depends on a proactive mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to remain calm and resourceful under pressure. The Executive Assistant must be highly dependable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Responsibilities
Executive Coordination
- Manage calendars, inboxes, travel and meeting preparation for Executive Team
- Coordinate agendas and logistics for internal and external meetings
- Liaise with stakeholders, clients and partners to ensure smooth engagement
Governance Support
- Own the established governance timetable, board meeting scheduling, and trustee communications
- Draft and distribute board packs, take minutes, and track actions
- Support governance processes in collaboration with the Operations Director
- Support trustee onboarding, training, and engagement
- Ensure timely completion of Charity Commission and Companies House submissions
- Leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance business processes
Strategic communications
- Communicate with external stakeholders on behalf of the Executive Team
- Coordinate staff events and meetings
- Work with marketing and communities & projects teams for conferences and external events
Project support
- Support ongoing transformation projects in collaboration with Head of Business Functions
- Support recruitment and onboarding for senior roles led by the Head of Business Operations
- Support strategic planning and performance tracking led by the Operations Director and Business Development Director
- Support handover and re-onboarding of Executive Assistant on her return April 2027
Role Requirements
Required:
- Minimum of four years’ experience in a similar role.
- Experience supporting senior leaders in a fast paced and changing environment, taking initiative and managing competing deadlines calmly and flexibly.
- Confident communicating with the executive and leadership team, trustees and external partners in a professional and timely way.
- Able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and good judgment.
- Confident coordinating meetings, preparing papers and taking accurate minutes.
- Ability to research, digest, analyse and present material clearly and concisely.
- Ability to identify and apply AI-driven tools to enhance business activities and using AI to streamline workflows and personalise business engagement.
- Comfortable stepping into an established role quickly and maintaining continuity during the maternity leave period.
Desirable:
- Experience in charity governance
- Experience in project support/management
Employees are also expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties that are consistent with the grade, responsibilities, and typical scope of the role. Any additional tasks should remain appropriate to the nature of the post and not extend into unrelated functions or specialisms.
All employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s values and behavioural standards, which include being supportive, transparent, respectful, kind, honest, and collaborative. This means fostering a culture of empathy, openness, integrity, and teamwork in all interactions, and contributing positively to the organisation’s mission and strategic objectives.
We are committed to flexible working and are open to requests for different working patterns. This includes part time arrangements and four day working week requests, which we will always consider as part of the recruitment process.
To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.
Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 2nd of February 2026.
To apply for this role, please share your CV with a one-page cover letter setting out why this role appeals to you and how your skills and experiences meet the key skills points in the job description.
Interviews expected to take place on week commencing the 2nd of February 2026.
To support the social housing sector to unlock the full potential of its social purpose, for the benefit of residents & local communities
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.