Refuge manager jobs

Sheffield Women’s Aid (SWA) is one of the leading domestic abuse charities in Sheffield.  SWA believes that every woman and child has the right to live free from all forms of violence and abuse and has been supporting hundreds of women and children every year since 1974.

The Lead Practitioner role is a vital leadership role in our small charity.  You will oversee one of our refuges and ensure that both survivor and staff needs are recognised, understood and supported. You will lead a small team to ensure survivors specialist needs are responded to in a trauma informed way, as well as being an compassionate and accountable leader.

What we’re looking for

An experienced, confident and dedicated woman looking to provide stable leadership in a role that makes a real difference.   Whether developed within or outside this sector, your leadership skills will be complemented by the ability to demonstrate the following:

• Experience of supporting survivors of domestic abuse, or those who have experienced similar trauma.

• Awareness of managing risk

• An understanding of domestic abuse and it's impact on the lives of women and children.

• Awareness of particular barriers or intersecting needs women and children may have to accessing support (for example: those from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds; those whose first language is not English; those with insecure immigration status;  survivors with disabilities or complex needs).

• Confidence in working both as part of a team and alone.

• Excellent awareness of working within safeguarding procedures and processes (both children and adults).

• Experience of working within an multi-agency environment / liaising with external agencies.

• Excellent communication and record keeping skills.

• Ability to use ICT.

• A full driving license and access to a car with business insurance.

SWA seeks to represent the communities we serve and actively welcome applications from Black and minority women, Eastern European women and women with lived experience of domestic abuse; also applicants with community language skills.

(Due to the nature of this role, SWA will only consider females/ women for these positions. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 (pursuant to Schedule 9, Part 1) as a genuine occupational requirement).

(Please note we are not currently able to offer visa sponsorship).

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement (28 days + Bank Holidays pro rata, increasing to 29 + BH after qualifying period).

Wellbeing hour.

Excellent induction, training and ongoing support.

6% pension contribution. 

Access to national discount schemes.

Contributory healthcare plan.

Monthly Group Reflective Practice

Type of Contract:   Full Time

Hours:     37.5 hours ( including shifts from 08:30 - 16:30 and 11:00 - 19:00).  (Willing to participate in On Call rota providing out of hours support approx. 1 week in every 8 – additional payment received for On Call).

Are you a values-driven leader who believes that women facing domestic abuse deserve exceptional services - services not just designed for them, but truly shaped by their lived experiences?

Leeds Women's Aid (LWA) is a proudly feminist, women-centred organisation delivering life-changing support for women and girls experiencing domestic abuse. As they enter an exciting time of growth and transformation, they're looking for a visionary Director of Services & Engagement to help shape the next era of innovation and impact.

Salary: £55,000-£60,000
Location: Hybrid (50/50) split between Leeds office, home and cross-service/stakeholders
Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week FTE
Benefits: 30 days annual leave (+bank), 5% employer pension contribution, enhanced maternity/paternity policies, flexible life and family-friendly working

About the opportunity
In this newly reimagined role, you'll lead service delivery and engagement with women accessing LWA's support, ensuring services are safe, trauma-informed and inclusive - and, above all, grounded in women's lived experiences. You will create the conditions for their voices to be heard, valued and amplified, so they meaningfully shape practice and influence change.

This is a rare, career-defining opportunity at the heart of LWA's future. The organisation is building a visible, united and inspiring senior team, rooted in shared leadership, mutual accountability and collaboration.

You'll take ownership of a diverse and dynamic portfolio spanning refuge, community services, housing, engagement, impact and performance. As an ambitious organisational strategy gains momentum, you'll focus on strengthening partnerships, building emerging housing capability and ensuring survivors' voices influence every decision.

Taking the lead on

• Strategic oversight of frontline services and survivor-centred practice.
• Coaching-led leadership for managers and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Quality assurance, performance, safeguarding and operational risk.
• Innovation and service development informed by data, evidence and lived experience.
• External engagement with commissioners, statutory services and the wider sector.
• Development of a sustainable, forward-facing housing strategy.

About you
You are a confident, highly skilled operational leader with a deep commitment to women-centred, trauma-informed practice. You bring the credibility and conviction to represent an organisation rooted in women's lived experience, ensuring its values, language and decisions consistently reflect women-centred principles.

You'll also bring:

• Senior leadership experience within charity, public sector or social care settings.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality services across complex teams.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify and drive innovation and change.
• Sound judgement, calm decision-making and strong relationship-building skills.
• Able to offer respectful challenge, foster reflective practice and shared ownership.
• Consistently values-led, inclusive and ethical in your leadership.

Please note, this is a women-only role under the Equality Act 2010, which is an Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Why this role matters
You'll join an organisation with courageous ambition and a commitment to collective leadership. This role gives you the platform to influence strategy, shape service excellence, elevate survivor voice and lead a talented, purpose-led workforce making a profound difference every day.

Are you ready to apply?
Please send a copy of your CV or profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step.
If your experience matches what we're looking for, then we'll be in touch with more detail about the application process.

Deadline: 9am on Wednesday 25th March
Interview dates will be confirmed soon.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.