Registered manager children service jobs in Manchester

Contract: 1-Year Fixed Term contract
Hours: Full-time (40hrs/weekly)
Reporting to: Academy Director
Location: Remote 
Salary: £50,000 p/a + 3% pension contribution
Start date: September 2026

About us

Parallel is a small charitable initiative with big ambitions. Our mission is to increase the number and diversity of excellent young mathematicians. We are a Good Thinking project (registered Charity Number: 1147404).

Founded in 2023 by Simon Singh MBE and Dr Junaid Mubeen, our online Parallel Academy supports highly capable students to excel in maths, by providing them with structured programmes that develop their reasoning and problem-solving skills beyond the curriculum.  We currently support more than 10,000 students through the Academy, around 1000 of whom receive highly targeted support through weekly, small-group online tutorials.

We are at an exciting phase in our journey, with plans to expand tutoring to 5000 students over the next four years. Our students are motivated and ambitious. Our maths programme takes place outside of school hours, yet students have an average attendance above 95%. All of our work takes place online and is subject to safeguarding and data protection policies that are reviewed periodically to reflect up-to-date best practice.

Parallel has built a reputation for excellence, both in terms of the expectations we set for students, and the quality of service they receive from us. Our work is underpinned by an inclusive ethos; every student who applies for the Academy is guaranteed a place on one of our programmes. 

We work flexibly to both launch new initiatives and adapt our existing offerings. We pride ourselves on a creative approach to programme design and now face a familiar challenge of maintaining our quality and highly personalised approach as we scale up.

The purpose of this role
 

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to join and help lead our committed and energetic team. This role is pivotal to achieving Parallel’s growth ambitions while maintaining the quality of service we are renowned for. As a senior leader, you will be a lynch pin of our core team and will make a real difference to the life prospects of thousands of young students. 

On a practical level, you will coordinate and drive our core programmes, with oversight and accountability for their smooth, day-to-day delivery. You will also line-manage two full-time administrators (this may increase as the team expands), overseeing and supporting their work across communications, data and operational delivery.

We have established several processes and tools for delivering our programme effectively and the ideal candidate will have a sharp eye for process improvement and opportunity. You will need to understand and consolidate our current best practices, but also identify ones that need to be adapted or enhanced as we look to scale up. 

This role is offered initially as a fixed-term contract for 12 months, though we have every intention to extend the position longer term should the appointment prove successful. 

A note on working hours
 

This is a fully-remote role. As part of your contracted hours you will be required to regularly do some work during evenings and weekends (approx 5-8 hours a week). You may occasionally need to step in at short notice, outside of standard working hours, to support and resolve urgent operational issues.

There will also be periods when there is a higher workload (e.g., during student admissions cycles), so you may be required to offer some flexibility in working longer  - and then shorter - hours week to week. Time off in-lieu is provided for additional hours worked. 

In general, you will have significant autonomy in how you structure your working week, provided you ensure that our core operational needs are covered within the whole team.

Key responsibilities

Working for Parallel is challenging and rewarding in equal parts. On a typical day you will be fielding queries from parents, managing the logistics of 200+ tutorials a week and ensuring tutors are fully supported. We are a dynamic team that readily adapts to new situations and relishes the challenge of working through problems together. 

As part of your key responsibilities you will:
 

• Oversee the smooth day-to-day running of our Tutorial and Webinar Programmes, ensuring that sessions proceed as planned, and that any issues - from tutor cover needs to student absence requests - are swiftly and effectively addressed.

• Coordinate key aspects of our start and end-of-term administration, including payments, parent and student communications, website setup, spreadsheets and logistics.

• Oversee the admin team’s responsiveness to our high-volume shared inboxes, responding to the most sensitive student and parent queries and acting as a point of escalation where needed.

• Manage a small but growing admin team, providing regular guidance, support, and feedback.

• Play a key role in overseeing our student admissions cycles, from planning to testing, setup, delivery and communication of decisions.

• Make everyday operational decisions independently, exercising good judgement in when to bring issues to senior management.

• Work effectively with data (e.g. student learning data) - as managed through our central directories - and use it to guide decision-making and to support the effective running of our programmes. 

• Review our policies on an ongoing basis, ensuring that we are complying with our safeguarding and data protection obligations at all times and that our policies are built for scale.

• Support with schools outreach initiatives.

• Develop and document key administrative procedures (an ever-evolving ‘Operations Handbook’) to ensure that we have reliability and stability across all programmes.

• Help to shape and build on our ethos of high expectations, which translates into concrete policies regarding attendance, homework, participation and criteria for both admitting and removing students from our Tutorial Programme.

Role requirements
 

While there is no fixed template for working with Parallel, we consider the following requirements essential for this role:

• Proven leadership qualities, with the ability to act independently and decisively when the situation demands it. 

• Experience managing small teams, including multiple direct reports.

• Managed operations at large scale - you have executed product/service delivery to thousands of end users.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to delegate tasks and to track processes and outcomes.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to connect effectively with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders.

• Proficiency in working with digital tools and software such as Google Sheets, Docs, Forms, Zoom and Trello (and able to learn new tools quickly and independently).

• Excellent with spreadsheets and data - you know your vlookups from your pivot tables.

• Nimble problem-solver who can think on your feet and approach complex situations with a flexible mindset.

• A ‘can-do’ attitude and strong team ethic - you are known as a supportive presence for your colleagues who will go above and beyond to make their lives easier.

• Demonstrable ability to work productively in a fully remote setup.

• A strong commitment to safeguarding, and the ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity related to all aspects of information disseminated within the organisation.
   

It is also desirable (though not essential) for you to have relevant experience in an education setting.
 

Please note that this role will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. 

How to apply
 

If this sounds like you, please submit your CV and cover letter via CharityJob, or get in touch with any questions. 

Interviews will take place online after the closing date. As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will be required to complete tasks designed to assess relevant skills.

Family Counsellor

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Job Title: Safe Ground Family Counsellor

Location: Based within HMP Forest Bank, Greater Manchester. You may be expected to travel to other services as required, including to Central London Central Office, HMP Altcourse and for in-person meetings held off site. Hybrid working is permitted with an option of up to 2 days working from home when appropriate. Step Free access is not available at this service.

Salary: £36,000

Shift Pattern: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday 07:30 - 17:30. You may be required to work outside these hours as per service and organisational requirements, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays and forming part of the out of hours on call rota for managers. 

About the Role

We’re hiring a Safe Ground Family Counsellor to support men in custody at HMP Forest Bank, located in Manchester.

As a Family Counsellor, you will identify the needs of men and their families in custody , providing anti-punitive, anti-shame, tailored support to maintain and grow family ties for individuals whilst in custody . You will deliver person centred therapeutic support through group, one-to-one and triage sessions, helping participants improve relationships, develop emotional awareness, and build healthier communication. The role includes family counselling clinics, group programme support, and joint work with prison teams and external partners. You will work in a trauma-informed way to support rehabilitation and strengthen family connections. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Support men who may be facing challenges with family relationships, father-child contact, emotional regulation, trauma, communication difficulties and maintaining positive relationships during custody

• Deliver group and one-to-one counselling sessions, as well as facilitating family counselling clinics

• Support full time delivery of programmes such as Fathers Inside and Man Up, which have received national recognition and are delivered across custodial and community settings

• Create and maintain tailored support plans

• Work with prison teams and external partners to coordinate support
• Bespoke training and active learning will be provided

• Support participants to improve relationships and emotional regulation

• Monitor wellbeing and respond to safeguarding concerns

• Maintain accurate records on internal systems

• Lone working as part of a wider team

About You

We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated individual who understands the needs of men in custody, the importance of anti-shame and anti-punitive practice in these systems, and the importance of family relationships in supporting rehabilitation. You will be comfortable working in a custodial environment and able to build trust with individuals from a range of backgrounds. You will be proactive in managing your workload, able to adapt within a busy service, and confident working both independently and as part of a wider team, often challenging prison cultures. You will be keen to support men in custody to achieve their individual goals and support them to be the best versions of themselves.

• Experience supporting people with trauma, relationship challenges, or within the criminal justice system with BACP registration or equivalent professional accreditation

• Ability to engage with people from different backgrounds, build rapport and support them to achieve their personal goals

• Ability to show empathy and understanding of the challenges people face and adapt approaches to meet individual needs

• Confidence delivering both one-to-one and group-based support

• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals and services, often challenging punitive approaches

• Ability to use, learn and adapt to IT at an intermediate level, including Microsoft and other software programs

• Ability and willingness to be flexible in working patterns to meet service needs

• Understanding of the different needs people with multiple and complex needs have and be aware of the social marginalisation that can be attached to people who face personal challenges
• Alignment with our values of Ambition, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Transparency

We are interviewing on an ongoing basis so this job role may close early. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages. As a note, Interviews are scheduled for commencing on the 20th of July and 2nd Stage interviews for the 2nd of August.

Please refer to the JDPS attached for more details on the vacancy and our requirements/key criteria.

What we Offer

• 25 days (Full time equivalent) annual leave, increasing with the length of service
• Employer Pension Contribution
• Eligibility to register with Blue Light Discount Card
• Access to discounted tickets for music events, shows, sports and more
• Reflective Practice regular sessions with a therapist provided by an external provider to support Mental Health and Wellbeing at work
• Training and Development, including access to courses, upskilling, and progression plans
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Annual Staff Awards
• EDI Ambassador programme

About Social Interest Group (SIG)

SIG is a not-for-profit organisation providing thousands of people with good-quality support and care in residential, drop-in centres, community floating support settings, probation settings, and hospitals. We do so across London, Brighton, Bedfordshire, Luton, Kent and Liverpool. Our goal is to transform lives through empowering change. 

We believe good care and support improves lives with the vision to create healthier, safer, and more inclusive communities. Join us on our mission to empower independence through trauma-informed solutions and dynamic partnerships that keep people out of prison, out of hospital, and off the streets.
Want to know how we work? Watch our short Theory of Change video to see how we support people towards a brighter future: Theory of Change Further details can be found on our website here: Theory of Change - Social Interest Group - Social Interest Group. 

Additional Information

Please note that this job advert may close early due to screening applications on an ongoing basis. We advise applying as soon as possible for your application to be taken into consideration at the early stages.

Please note that as part of our process, we complete an enhanced DBS check, some roles may require further vetting. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship, please ensure you have full right to work in the UK prior to applying to our positions. 

About Adolescent Health Study

The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records. Recruitment will take place mainly through schools. There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.

Purpose of the post

 The Procurement Lead is responsible for developing and delivering a robust procurement and commercial strategy that ensures value for money, compliance with Procurement Act 2023 regulations in line with AHS being primarily public funded and supports AHS study and operational objectives. The role will lead on sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and commercial governance, ensuring ethical, transparent, and efficient use of public funds.

Main responsibilities

Procurement Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a procurement and commercial strategy aligned with organisational goals and funding requirements.
• Lead procurement planning across research programmes, operations, and corporate services.
• Act as a subject matter expert on public procurement policy and best practice.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes, systems, and capability.

Tendering and Contract Management

• Oversee end-to-end procurement processes including tendering, evaluation, and contract award.
• Ensure compliance with UK public procurement regulations (e.g., Procurement Act and associated guidance).
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, including research, clinical, and grant-related agreements.
• Manage contract lifecycle including performance monitoring, renewals, and extensions.

Commercial Governance & Compliance

• Establish and maintain procurement policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure all procurement activities meet audit, transparency, and reporting requirements for public funding.
• Identify and mitigate commercial risks across supplier engagements.
• Support internal and external audit processes.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, ensuring high performance and innovation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (research teams, finance, legal) to understand needs and deliver value-driven procurement solutions.
• Work with external stakeholders including funders, partners and strategic advisors to develop optimum outcomes
• Provide commercial advice and guidance to senior leadership and project teams.
• Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing practices.

Financial & Value Management

• Deliver value for money through effective sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Monitor procurement spend and identify cost-saving or efficiency opportunities.
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Ensure funding is used appropriately, ethically and in line with public funding requirements.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

1. Professional qualification in procurement or supply chain e.g., CIPS Level 5 or equivalent
2. Degree or comparable experience in business, finance, law, or related field.
3. Proven track record of managing complex procurement exercises and contracts.
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within regulated procurement environments, specifically those classed as a public authority
5. Strong understanding of UK public procurement regulations and best practice.
6. Commercial acumen with strong negotiation and contract management skills.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Knowledge of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
9. Strong experience in supplier and stakeholder management.
10. Excellent analytical, financial, and problem-solving abilities.
11. Strong communication and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.
12. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.

Desirable

1. CIPS Level 6 or equivalent
2. Membership of a professional body (e.g., MCIPS or FCIPS).
3. Experience managing high-value and complex contracts, including collaborative or partnership agreements
4. Experience in procurement or commercial roles within charity and/or research sectors
5. Detailed understanding of intellectual property (IP) considerations in research contracts.
6. Detailed knowledge of the UK Procurement Act (or Public Contracts Regulations 2015 historically) and transitions between them.
7. Experience of drafting and reviewing heads of terms and commercial agreements.
8. Understanding of subsidy control, state aid, or funding compliance frameworks.
9. Ability to analyse procurement data and generate insights using tools such as Excel, Power BI, or similar.
10. Experience leading organisational change or transformation programmes in procurement.
11. Ability to build procurement capability across a non-procurement stakeholder base.

Dimensions

• This is a full-time role, 37.5 hours per week, offered initially as an 18-month fixed-term contract with potential route to permanency.
• Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK.  Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
• AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.

Application Process

All candidates are required to complete the application form which can be found when clicking 'Apply Now' via Charity Job.

Please refer to the ‘How to Apply’ section of the downloadable application form.

Please note that only applications submitted directly to Gravitate HR will be accepted for this position.

The closing date for applications is 11:00pm on Sunday 12th July 2026.

Interviews are currently expected to take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th August 2026.

Equal Opportunities Policy Statement

AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of:

• Gender, including gender reassignment
• Marital or civil partnership status
• Having or not having dependants
• Religion or belief
• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins)
• Disability
• Sexual orientation
• Age

We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.  All job applicants and employees who work for us will be treated fairly and will not be unfairly discriminated against on any of the above grounds. Decisions about recruitment and selection, promotion, training or any other benefit will be made objectively and without unlawful discrimination. 

Values

It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.