Community Development & Health Programme Manager - to cover Maternity Leave
Full Time - 37 hrs per week (largely office/community based with some limited work at home permitted)
Salary range - £41,363 - £47,513 per annum, dependant on qualification, skills & previous experience
Fixed term for 12-months covering a period of maternity leave
Based Newhaven with some travel to outreach and delivery locations across E. Sussex
You will be an experienced people, project, and services manager with a track record and flair for developing and delivering community-based services to contract, and which meet identified community needs, in a consistently high quality way. With strong financial acumen and the ability to develop and monitor budgets, you will analyse and explain variances, manage complex and time-limited funding streams, and collaborate regularly with the finance team. The role also involves developing and supporting project staff in effective budget management.
With responsibility for the strategic development of the community development & health work area; which incorporates community infrastructure support & development, youth & families, environmental and active travel initiatives; you will lead, direct & support a multi-disciplinary team who manage the contracts, services and day-to-day delivery of this broad work area.
Skilled at managing relationships with existing funders and commissioners, you will broker new partnerships, write bids and collaborate on funding tenders, ensuring sustained funding for services which support people with complex challenges in our communities. With excellent organisation, communication, finance and project management skills, you will demonstrate sensitivity to the ambitions of this work area and to SCDA’s vision.
We are looking for people to join our team who have the qualities and skills we feel would most benefit our service users; professionalism, empathy, kindness and understanding. In return, we recognise people want to work in a supportive environment with friendly colleagues. We offer a flexible approach to delivery where possible, annual leave of 23 days per year pro rata plus bank holidays and sick pay from the start (increasing with service), additional sick pay for necessary operations and recovery, a pension scheme, bereavement leave, and managers who are available to you… plus a day off for your birthday!
Based Newhaven with travel across E. Sussex, car driver and owner preferred as many delivery locations are rural and not served well by public transport. Post subject to DBS check.
Closing date: 5pm Sunday 22nd March 2026
1st stage interviews: 1st April 2026 in Newhaven
For the job description and to apply, please visit our website.
You may think that you’re not a 100% match to what we’re looking for, but we recognise that some skills and experience may be transferable rather than an exact match. If you’re unsure about whether to apply, please do contact the HR team and we would be happy to arrange an informal discussion with the recruiting manager.
Registered Charity 
51 - 100
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.
Homelessness is rising fast across Britain, and we are seeing unprecedented demand for our services. At this critical time, we are looking for a talented, experienced News and Media manager to help raise the public and political profile of homelessness, to shine a light on the human impact, and to show how Crisis is working to help people rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind.
Location: London office based. Working from home is an option in line with Crisis’ Hybrid working policy (you will be required to work from the London office twice a week)
About the role
As News and Media Manager, you will lead a hard-working and experienced team of media experts to bring to life Crisis’ work, using print, digital and broadcast journalism to advocate for the solutions needed to tackle homelessness and inspire the public, businesses and politicians to join our mission to end homelessness for good. You will oversee the development and delivery of high-profile media and communications campaigns, including our annual Christmas appeal, and help to build our brand.
With homelessness at record levels there has never been a more critical time to join Crisis and ensure tackling homelessness is firmly on the news agenda.
About you
You will have significant experience of working in a challenging, fast-paced news and media environment to secure high-profile coverage. You will also have experience of leading and managing individuals or teams and motivating people to achieve objectives and overcome setbacks. The ability to navigate competing priorities and influence senior internal and external stakeholders is essential.
To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate excellent knowledge and experience of working with the media to help secure policy change at a national government level, demonstrate ability to secure high profile consumer media to support income generation and have proven experience when it comes to handling reputational risk. You will also have exceptional news sense, with the ability to take a creative approach when seeking out new media opportunities.
Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply.
We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.
Working at Crisis
Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness.
Our staff, members and volunteers are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We’ll lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.
As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage
- Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%
- 28 days’ annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay
- Flexible working around the core hours 10am-4pm
- Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly
- Full list of benefits available on website
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career.
When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.
How do I apply?
Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.
Closing date: Sunday 22nd March 2026 at 23:59
Interviews will take place at Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth St, E1 7SA, on Monday 30th March and Wednesday 1st April
Interview process: Competency-based interview and interview task
AI in Job Applications
We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences.
Accessibility
We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.
Registered Charity Numbers: E&W1082947, SC040094
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.