Operations Manager

Are you ready to guide and inspire a skilled team delivering life changing mental health and wellbeing support to children, young people and families? 

This is your opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our amazing Central and West Lancashire Mental Health Support Team (MHST).

You will work closely with the Service Manager to lead high quality services that deliver on our promises and make a real difference in schools, communities and family homes. This is a role where every decision you make can create lasting change, from setting service priorities and building strong partnerships to ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care for the people we support.

You will take responsibility for service performance, staff leadership, safeguarding, contract management, risk management and building meaningful relationships with partner organisations.

With the freedom to innovate and the support of a dedicated leadership team, you will ensure our services not only meet but exceed expectations.

Doing the best we can do can go a long way in building brighter futures for children, young people and their families, we need your help to make this happen!

Please note - this role is expected to start in September 2026
 

We are looking for someone who brings proven leadership experience in mental health or community services, with the confidence to manage contracts, people, performance and change whilst ensuring that values lie at the heart of everything they do. You will need:

• Experience of leading services delivering evidence based interventions for children and young people
• Strong skills in contract, risk and performance management
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships
• Understanding of safeguarding, governance and quality assurance
• Experience in managing teams with varied professional backgrounds

It would be great if you also bring experience of working in education settings, developing/implementing new services or delivering training. More than anything, you will be driven by the belief that every child and young person deserves to feel safe, heard, supported and valued.

If this opportunity sounds like something you`d grab with both hands…we`d like to hear from you!

 

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.

All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.

We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including:

• 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
• Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
• Competitive contributory pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
• Enhanced sick pay
• Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
• Annual salary review

Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!

Closing Date: 17.05.2026

Interview Date: 03.06.2026