Operations manager mental health community jobs in liverpool, merseyside

Job purpose

This is an exciting time to join Action for ME. With developments in research and policy alongside delivering services which are in high demand, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced and continually changing environment. You will be responsible for overseeing operational programme design and delivery, reporting of progress, and measuring the impact of all Action for ME work to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow. You will also assist the Chief Executive in implementing the organisational strategy, and by adapting and evolving delivery models on the ground. As you will have operational management and oversight for our Healthcare Services and hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role for the organisation, you will bring considerable services-related experience at a management and leadership level. The Chief Executive will focus predominately on external matters and therefore you must have experience of managing an organisation to achieve high quality programmes with evidenced impact and motivated teams. You will act for the Chief Executive on topics, as agreed, and deputise during their absence.

Key duties

1. Leadership

• Ensure that children and adults with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of our work.
• Deputise for the CEO and represent and promote the Charity at national meetings and events.
• Deputise for the CEO during periods of absence, and in relation to specific matters, issues or elements of operation as delegated from time to time by the CEO, ensuring a consistency of approach and decisions aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
• With the CEO and HR Business Partner, lead on implementing the People and Culture Strategy and ensuring our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan is achieved.
• To provide support, leadership and coaching to the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and development of the Charity.
• Contribute to the development of the overall strategy for Action for ME, ensuring that the best use is made of available resources within agreed priorities. Ensure that agreed strategy is delivered to target and in line with agreed budgets.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure effective reporting to the Board and sub-committees.

2. Operations & management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity ensuring high quality service provision that meets all best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal policies and procedures.
• Hold overall management responsibility for our Healthcare Services including the role of the CQC Nominated Individual, ensuring all regulatory requirements and compliance are met.
• Manage the staff and volunteer team, including holding regular meetings and ensure the efficient running of the office ensuring a culture that supports, inspires and motivates the team while ensuring required standards and quality are met at all times through effective performance management.
• Act as the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (children and vulnerable adults), working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, colleagues and the Safeguarding Lead Trustee; facilitate the annual safeguarding audit (led by the Lead Trustee) and ensuring safeguarding standards across the organisation are maintained.
• Contribute to the learning and development of key personnel including coaching support (either directly or through the identification of external coaches) to enhance performance.
• Establish (where not already in place) and maintain a clear performance outcome-focused management system driving positive change and improvement across all teams.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and kept up-to-date to enable the effective management of operations and support growth.
• Take the lead role for data protection, health and safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Finance & income generation

• Hold financial leadership responsibility, working closely with the Finance Manager and the Fundraising Director to ensure sustainability for our work.
• Ensure effective financial management with procedures in place which are kept up-to-date and implemented accordingly.
• Provide support and engagement, where appropriate, to actively grow our income.

4. Working with others

• Lead, nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholder groups and partner organisations, both locally and nationally, supporting Action for M.’s place as the ‘go to’ organisation for people affected by ME
• Lead on new business ideas and pilot projects in line with the strategic objectives; with colleagues, develop the business case, identify and manage risks, lead implementation across teams, evaluate success and learning and make recommendations for future development.

5. Other key accountabilities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting operations and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development.
• Take direction on projects and priorities from the CEO, which may vary from time to time.
• To ensure best value in all service delivery.

Person specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience in an operations, leadership, or senior management role, ideally within the charity service delivery or healthcare sector, with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive organisational growth and reporting that demonstrates impact delivered. If you come from outside a support services background, you must demonstrate sound understanding of the regulatory and best practice requirements related to delivering support and/or healthcare services.
• An understanding of ME and associated/overlapping illnesses, the impact on people affected by it or a commitment and ability to understand the illness and lead services to meet the needs of children and adults with ME
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including remote workers, and fostering a supportive workplace culture where change is a constant.
• Safeguarding understanding at a management/decision-making level.
• Proven experience of building and nurturing strong relationships internally and externally at all levels.
• A sound understanding of outcome-focused, effective performance management, quality assurance and risk management.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, and resource management in the voluntary sector.

Skills and Behaviours

• Experience of governance, risk management, and compliance, including within regulated services, ideally within a charity and/or service delivery setting.
• Proven ability to think strategically, balance competing demands, use initiative to solve problems and actively seek innovative approaches to problem solving and delivering results.
• Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating influencing and networking skills which build strong internal and external relationships.
• An ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of data across all of our work.
• A proven ability to coach and motivate staff and to build and lead teams reflecting organisational culture and values, a respectful, constructive and energetic style.
• Proven, strong MS Office skills that supports writing, email, internet and database use.
• Demonstrable ability to work within our organisational values

Help us support more young people! We’re looking for a driven, values-led (4 day week) Fundraising Officer to lead on community and corporate fundraising at a bold, youth-led mental health charity. With a flexible 4-day week, hybrid working, and the chance to shape our future, this is a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing your career. Join us in building fairer mental health support for young people across the UK.

About us and our vibe! 

Be Free Campaign is a bold, youth-led mental health charity working to address the deep inequalities affecting young people’s mental health – especially in racialised and marginalised communities. We deliver trauma-informed, culturally competent mental health education, early intervention, and outreach across schools, universities, and community settings.

Our mission is to challenge stigma, shift power, and provide meaningful support to young people often overlooked or underserved by traditional services. We combine lived experience with evidence-based practice to build a fairer, more inclusive mental health system. This role is vital in helping us grow our income and reach, so we can continue delivering on that mission.

The Role

We’re looking for a relational, driven and values-led Fundraising Officer to lead our corporate, community, and campaign fundraising. You’ll build partnerships, run fundraising initiatives, and steward donors to help us reach more young people across the UK.

This role will focus on:

Corporate and community partnerships
Donor campaigns and individual giving
Income tracking and stewardship

You’ll work alongside our Partnerships & Engagement Officer (who leads on challenge events and volunteering) and be supported by our Operations Manager. We’re aiming for £50,000–£75,000 in Year 1 income.

About You

* At least 1 year of fundraising experience or 2+ years in income generation
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills
* Confident working independently and managing your own time
* Comfortable using CRM systems (e.g. Beacon, Airtable, Salesforce)

* £28,000 for a 4-day week (32 hours) with flexible, hybrid working
* Supportive, values-driven team with space to lead your work
* Access to training, mentoring, and professional development

We particularly welcome applicants from underrepresented communities and those with lived experience of mental health challenges. If you’re unsure whether you meet all criteria, please get in touch – we’re happy to have a conversation.

About Symphony Collective

Symphony Collective, a proud member of the Oasis Trust family, is dedicated to using the Arts, Academics, and Advocacy as tools to help people find and thrive in their purpose. We strive to uplift marginalized voices, particularly those from Black and Brown communities—who often find themselves underrepresented.

At the heart of our operations is Symphony Studios, the UK headquarters of Symphony Collective, envisioned as an “airport for dreams.” Launching in October 2025, Symphony Studios will offer a vibrant environment through:

 •  Academics: Providing  free music and core subject GCSE , mentoring, and a comprehensive study library to level the educational playing field and empower learners to achieve their academic goals.

 •  Arts: Featuring state-of-the-art music production studios, rehearsal spaces, and media creation facilities, we nurture creativity and cultural expression, enabling artists to develop and showcase their talents.

 •  Advocacy: Hosting impactful events such as our flagship Festival of Hope and leading campaigns focused on faith, justice, gender, mental health, and inclusion, we champion important social causes and foster meaningful change.

In all, we build platforms and create spaces that help you, you and I, you and us—to become.

> Role Overview

The Festivals & Events Producer curates and executes a range of Symphony experiences—from intimate worship nights to large-scale gatherings like “Tribe: Festival of Hope.” You’ll balance creative vision with logistical precision to produce memorable events that highlight the talents of Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities.

> Key Responsibilities

• Event Curation & Production

• Develop concepts, run-of-show, and themes for festivals, conferences, and special events.

• Manage vendor relationships, scheduling, budgeting, and on-site logistics.

• Creative Collaboration

• Work closely with Symphony Arts, Academy, and Campaign teams to align programming with our mission.

• Ensure each event fosters joyful, inclusive spaces for participants of all abilities.

• Budget & Resource Management

• Monitor production budgets, negotiate contracts, and streamline cost-effectiveness.

• Coordinate staff, volunteers, and freelance crews on event days.

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with artists, speakers, and community partners, maintaining continuous feedback loops.

• Conduct post-event analyses to refine future planning.

Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated track record in event production, ideally within a performing arts or social-impact setting.

• Strong project management skills, comfortable with 3 days/week schedule.

• Ability to create inclusive, accessible experiences for diverse audiences.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified and passionate counsellor to join a trauma-informed, inclusive charity known for its community focus.

You will provide short-term counselling to LGBTQ+ adults and people living with or affected by HIV. Your approach will be empowerment-based, culturally sensitive, and in line with BACP standards.

You will work both independently and as part of our wider services team. We will support your development through regular supervision, reflective practice, and relevant training opportunities.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with lived experience, and from communities who are often underrepresented in the charity sector. We’re especially keen to hear from applicants who identify as LGBTQ+ and/or are living with HIV. However, all applications will be considered fairly, and appointment will be based on merit.