Centre Manager

Routes to Roots is looking for an inspiring, compassionate and proactive Centre Manager to lead the day-to-day operation and future development of the Genesis Centre in Poole.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced manager who wants to combine strategic leadership with hands-on management and make a genuine difference to people who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

Working closely with the Trustees, you will play a key role in delivering our strategy, developing our services and ensuring the Genesis Centre provides a welcoming, safe and high-quality environment for everyone who uses it.

About the role

As Centre Manager, you will have responsibility for the effective management and development of the Genesis Centre, including:

• Leadership & strategy – working with the Trustees to deliver the charity’s strategic and operational plans, monitor outcomes and identify opportunities to improve and develop services.
• People & volunteers – leading and supporting employees and volunteers, including recruitment, induction, development, performance and wellbeing.
• Centre operations management – overseeing the day-to-day running of the Centre, budgets, resources, premises, donations, food supplies, health and safety, safeguarding and compliance.
• Partnerships & community engagement – building strong relationships with local authorities, housing, health and social care services, charities and community organisations, while representing Routes to Roots at networking events and community activities.
• Fundraising & sustainability – supporting the Trustees with fundraising, identifying grant opportunities and contributing to the financial sustainability and future development of the charity.
• Governance & reporting – providing Trustees with clear information on performance, finances, risks, incidents and strategic progress, and ensuring policies and procedures are effective and up to date.

You will be a visible and approachable presence within the Centre and the wider community, helping to raise the profile and reputation of Routes to Roots and strengthen our network of partners and supporters.

About you

We are looking for someone with experience of managing people and/or volunteers and overseeing a service, programme or project, including budgets and resources.

You will also have experience of working with people experiencing homelessness or vulnerability and be confident building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will bring:

• Strong leadership, people-management and communication skills.
• Excellent organisation and the ability to manage competing priorities in a challenging environment.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to turn strategy into practical action.
• Experience of developing or reviewing policies, procedures or handbooks.
• An understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, confidentiality and equality, diversity and inclusion.
• The ability to analyse information, monitor performance and use data and feedback to improve services.
• A compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental approach.
• Resilience, emotional maturity and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• A proactive, flexible and solutions-focused approach.

Experience of grant applications, fundraising or working within the voluntary, housing, health or social care sectors would be advantageous.

Why join Routes to Roots?

This is a unique opportunity to take a leading role in a charity that is committed to supporting people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability in Poole.

You will have the opportunity to shape the future development of the Genesis Centre, work alongside dedicated Trustees, staff and volunteers, develop meaningful partnerships across the community and see the direct impact of your work.

The role also offers the opportunity to attend relevant networking events and community activities, helping to build relationships and raise the profile of Routes to Roots.

The role requires a degree of flexibility to meet the needs of the charity. The Centre Manager will be an occasional point of contact if an urgent or unexpected issue arises at the weekend. This is not regular weekend working and is expected to occur approximately 2–3 times per year.

The Centre Manager will also attend Board Meetings every other month and the Annual General Meeting, which may occasionally take place outside normal working hours, usually in the early evening.

Interested?

If you are an experienced manager who is passionate about making a difference and would like to play a key role in the future of Routes to Roots and the Genesis Centre, we would love to hear from you.

Routes to Roots is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds.