76 Senior programme development manager jobs in Manchester

The Christie Charity is a vibrant, fast moving, energetic organisation with a passionate team and a fantastic reputation.

Everything we do is geared to supporting the renowned Christie hospital ensuring cancer patients receive the highest level of treatment and care and have access to world leading research and technology. We provide funding over and above what the NHS provides.

We are currently entering a particularly exciting period of growth and expansion as we fundraise for a number of major projects.

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and proactive individual to play a key role in shaping and enhancing our direct marketing programme. Working closely with the Supporter Experience Manager you will be responsible for the achievement and development of direct marketing income at The Christie Charity and will support on the development of our supporter experience programme.

The Charity team is responsible for raising millions of pounds each year to ensure Christie patients receive the very best care and treatment. This includes everything from access to world first clinical trials and receiving radiotherapy in state-of-the-art treatment centres, to young adults being cared for in a bespoke age-appropriate centre and being able to offer patients anxiety reducing complementary therapy, or even creative sessions in our art room.

If you want to make a real difference to cancer patients and are ready to rise to the challenge of working for one of the most successful charities in the North-West, then this exciting opportunity could be the role for you.

Join Brightside and help transform the futures of young people facing barriers by securing the funding and partnerships that make life-changing mentoring possible. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious fundraiser to play a key role in growing our impact across the UK.

Brightside is the UK's leading online mentoring provider, connecting young people with relatable role models so they can make confident and informed decisions about the future. Since 2003, we've supported more than 178,000 young people and facilitated over three million messages between mentoring pairs on our safe and secure online mentoring platform.

We're looking for a talented Fundraising and Partnerships Manager to help deliver our growth ambitions. Working closely with the CEO and Senior Partnerships Manager, you'll play a key role in securing the funding and partnerships that enable Brightside to expand its reach and impact.

What you'll be doing

• Identifying funding opportunities from trusts and foundations
• Writing compelling grant applications, proposals and reports
• Building and managing a strong pipeline of prospective funders
• Supporting stewardship and relationship management with funders and partners
• Contributing to wider partnership and philanthropy activity, including prospect research and proposal development

What we're looking for

• A proven track record of securing grants from trusts and foundations
• Excellent bid-writing and written communication skills
• Experience managing fundraising pipelines and multiple deadlines
• Strong relationship-building and organisational skills
• A passion for creating opportunities for young people and strong alignment with Brightside's mission and values

Why join us?

• Remote working, with opportunities to connect in person
• Flexible working arrangements
• A friendly, ambitious and supportive team culture
• The opportunity to help more young people access the support, networks and confidence they need to succeed

For full details of the role, responsibilities, person specification, benefits and application process, please see the attached job description.

The Role
Policy Development Lead
We are looking for a Policy Development Lead to provide strategic leadership, coordination and expertise in proactive policy development across NDCS. This exciting new role will help us think beyond immediate policy activity, identify where system change is needed, and develop longer-term policy positions that are informed by evidence, specialist insight, lived experience and external practice.
The role will initially focus on Education, while retaining the flexibility to support wider policy development across areas such as early years, social care, health, benefits, sign language and other emerging priorities. Working closely with Platform Leads, Policy and Nation Leads, and colleagues across the organisation, you will help ensure NDCS develops strong, evidence-based policy positions that create meaningful change for deaf children and their families.
What you'll do

• Lead and coordinate proactive policy development activity across NDCS, identifying opportunities for deeper policy thinking and systems change.
• Apply systems thinking to identify complex challenges, explore interdependencies and develop practical solutions
• Identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities, using systems thinking and horizon-scanning approaches to inform future organisational priorities.
• Translate complex evidence, research and lived experience into clear recommendations that support organisational decision-making and influence.
• Influence senior leaders and key stakeholders by providing strategic policy advice, insight and recommendations.
• Lead and coordinate policy development activity across multiple teams, ensuring expertise, insight and activity are aligned.
• Build productive relationships with external researchers, policy networks and sector experts to bring innovative thinking into NDCS.
• Identify cross-cutting themes and opportunities for change by bringing together insight from local, regional and national sources.
• Facilitate strategic conversations that help colleagues explore complex issues, understand system interdependencies and develop long-term solutions.
• Champion a proactive, evidence-informed approach to policy development across the organisation.

What you'll need

• Significant experience in policy analysis, development or strategy within a complex organisation, sector or policy environment.
• Proven ability to translate complex evidence, research and lived experience into recommendations that drive organisational action and influence.
• Experience influencing senior decision-makers and shaping organisational, sector-wide or public policy direction.
• A track record of leading and coordinating complex work across multiple teams, functions or stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality briefings, policy positions and strategic recommendations.
• Experience bringing together evidence and insight from multiple sources to identify emerging issues, trends and opportunities for change.
• Strong systems-thinking skills and experience developing long-term solutions to complex challenges.
• The ability to lead through collaboration, credibility and specialist expertise, building alignment across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the policy, practice and systemic issues affecting deaf children and families, and the ability to apply this knowledge to strategic policy development.
• Strong digital skills and a sound understanding of agile values & principles.
• Acriminal record check / DBS disclosure (if offered the position).

What you'll get

• Home-based working with flexible hours.
• 25 days holiday - plus an additional 3 days at Christmas (& bank holidays).
• Pension (5.5% employer contribution).
• Healthcare Cashplan.
• Annual performance-based salary increase.
• Employee Assistance & Wellbeing Programmes.

What we do
The National Deaf Children's Society are the leading charity for deaf children. We give expert support on childhood deafness, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children's rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Pre-employment checks
As part of our commitment to creating a safe and trusted environment for the children, young people and families we support, all offers of employment are subject to background checks. These include Right to Work verification, Criminal Record Disclosure, and ID and address verification.

To complete an online Right to Work check, you will need a valid UK or Irish passport, or a government share code if you are not a British citizen. If an online check is not possible, we’ll need to verify your documents in person at our London office. Please be aware that travel time and expenses for this appointment cannot be reimbursed.

Disability Confidence
We are a Disability Confident Employer and committed to offering interviews to candidates who request to be considered under the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum requirements for the role.

The National Deaf Children’s Society is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 1016532 and in Scotland no. SC040779.

Our charity delivers a series of interventions that help disadvantaged learners in Further Education to secure gateway English and maths qualifications that unlock opportunities. These interventions include our award-winning GCSE Resit Tuition Programme, for those resitting GCSEs, our Functional Skills Tuition Programme, supporting those on or aspiring to undertake apprenticeship programmes, and training and resources to support teachers and leaders of English and maths in Further Education.

Our benefits include: 

• 36 days of holidays per year (including bank holidays) 

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities 

• Flexible hybrid and remote working 

• Cycle to work scheme 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Termly ‘in-person’ team development days at our offices in London 

• The opportunity to work in a progressive and socially conscious, growing organisation where we can have an outsized impact on its success and development. 

About the role

As a Senior Programme Coordinator, you will lead the day-to-day delivery across a portfolio of partner colleges. Acting as the main point of contact for students, tutors and college staff, you will build strong working relationships, maintain a consistent on-site presence and ensure programmes are delivered smoothly, professionally and in line with agreed standards and KPIs. 

You will take ownership of programme performance across your portfolio, with a particular focus on student enrolment, attendance, and session dosage targets. You will oversee programme logistics, monitor delivery quality, and work proactively to maximise student participation and tutor effectiveness. This role requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to respond quickly and effectively to operational challenges. 

You will also play an important role in maintaining high-quality partnerships with colleges, ensuring stakeholders receive clear communication, accurate reporting and responsive support throughout programme delivery. Alongside this, you will contribute to wider organisational priorities, including safeguarding, tutor development, programme improvement and initiatives that strengthen student outcomes.

As a Senior Programme Coordinator, you will be expected to role model best practice to the wider Programme Coordinator team, working collaboratively to problem solve, and work with your Programme Manager to ensure strategic approaches to meeting KPIs. This is a highly collaborative, delivery-focused role suited to someone who enjoys a challenge, is confident managing relationships.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

See recruitment pack 

ABOUT YOU

You will: 

• Thrive in a busy, fast-paced environment and enjoy managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Be passionate about improving outcomes for young people, with a genuine commitment to tackling educational inequality.
• Enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues, tutors and college partners to achieve shared goals.
• Be comfortable working independently, taking ownership of your workload and delivering results with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate initiative and a proactive approach, identifying opportunities and resolving challenges effectively.
• Be highly organised, detail-oriented and able to manage competing demands without compromising quality.
• Take accountability for your work and be confident making decisions and driving progress.
• Be resilient, adaptable and solutions-focused when responding to challenges.
• Be motivated by working in a mission-driven organisation where your contribution has a direct impact on learners' success and future opportunities.

The closing date for applications is 9:00am on Monday 28 September. Applications received after this time will not be considered.

NEXT STEPS

Suitable candidates will be contacted after the closing date. Screening calls will take place on the Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd October. These will take place online.The first-round interviews will be held online onTuesday 6th October & Wednesday 7th October, followed by a second in-person interview Thursday 15th October(London). You will be able to expense your travel for this interview. 

We value diversity and actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly individuals from ethnically diverse communities who are currently underrepresented in our sector. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong.

For full details on responsibilities please see the recruitment pack. 

Location: Remote; able to travel into London easily
Benefits: Flexible working, private healthcare, 35 days annual leave (in addition to bank holidays), £500 contribution towards work laptop
Reporting to: Director

About the Schools Consent Project

The Schools Consent Project is a UK-based charity dedicated to educating young people about sexual consent and healthy relationships. We deliver workshops in schools and educational settings led by trained volunteer lawyers. By introducing consent literacy at school, young people are more likely to make informed, ethical decisions and are less likely to experience or perpetrate sexual violence in later life.
Through this hire, we aim to scale access to high-quality consent education.

Role Summary

The Outreach Manager is responsible for driving the expansion of the Schools Consent Project’s reach, engagement, and impact across London and the South East. Acting as the organisation’s lead “sales” and business development professional, you will contribute to and manage our strong pipeline of partner schools and organisations, convert leads into confirmed bookings, and maximise long-term engagement.
You will own the end-to-end outreach and partnership journey: from prospecting and lead generation, through relationship development and negotiation, to repeat engagement and retention.
Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Lead Generation
 
•  Develop and execute a proactive outreach and growth strategy to increase workshop bookings.
•  Develop and maintain relationships with existing schools; ensure SCP’s workshop content remains responsive and reactive to the emerging concerns of young people when it comes to sex, consent and the online world.
•  Generate leads through cold outreach, referrals, events, and campaigns.
•  Contribute to and maintain a pipeline of new schools and educational settings.
•  Reinvigorate historic relationships with schools.

Account Management

•  Convert enquiries and prospects into confirmed programme partners.
•  Present the charity’s offer and impact to senior school leaders, safeguarding leads, and decision-makers.
•  Manage key accounts and ensure high levels of partner satisfaction and retention.
•  Promote additional workshops and programmes where appropriate (eg. teacher training; parent workshops).
•  Track booking trends eg. seasonal vs. reactive bookings; develop a communication strategy around each ‘type’ of school, involving timely booking reminders.

Pipeline, Targets & Performance

•  Manage outreach targets for bookings, partnerships, and regional coverage.
•  Monitor conversion rates, pipeline value, and performance metrics.
•  Produce regular forecasts and performance reports.
•  Use data and insight to refine sales strategies and improve outcomes.

Marketing & Promotion

•  Help develop compelling outreach materials and campaigns.
•  Deliver presentations, webinars, and pitches to prospective educational partners.
•  Represent the organisation at conferences, networks, and sector events.
•  Help gather case studies, testimonials, and impact data to support outreach and fundraising.

Delivery Coordination

•  Work closely with our Volunteer Manager and Operations Manager to match supply with demand.
•  Ensure smooth handover from booking to delivery.
•  Anticipate capacity constraints and manage partner expectations.

Team Leadership & Development

•  Contribute to the development of outreach systems, processes, and tools.
•  Share insights and learning across the organisation.
•  Oversee team members currently managing school outreach.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

•  Proven experience in sales, business development, partnerships, or outreach roles.
•  Experience working with schools, education providers, or youth services.
•  Track record of meeting or exceeding targets.
•  Excellent communication skills.
•  Strong relationship management and account development experience.
•  Highly organised, with strong CRM and data management skills.
•  Ability to work autonomously and drive results.

Desirable Criteria

•  Experience working in the charity, education, or public sectors.
•  Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection frameworks.
•  Understanding of social impact measurement.

Values and Approach

We are looking for someone who:

•  Is committed to our mission and values.
•  Demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and integrity.
•  Works collaboratively and inclusively.
•  Is proactive, adaptable, and solution-focused.

Safeguarding and Equality

The Schools Consent Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

We ask applicants to draft their applications without using AI (save for checking spelling or grammar), so that we can get a real sense of your suitability for the role.

The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) is the leading membership body for voluntary sector organisations that support disabled people. Representing over 145 organisations across England and Wales, we bring together leaders, experts and partners to influence change, share learning and strengthen the sector. 

We're looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Events and Engagement Manager to lead the delivery of our growing programme of conferences, professional networks, member events, learning opportunities and stakeholder engagement activities. 

This is a varied and rewarding role at the heart of the organisation. You'll be responsible for creating exceptional experiences for members and delegates, coordinating high-profile events, supporting external engagement activity, managing key relationships and identifying new opportunities to increase member participation and value. You'll also use data, feedback and insight to continually improve our offer and help shape future engagement activity. 

We're looking for someone with strong event and project management experience, excellent organisational and communication skills, and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You'll be equally comfortable managing the detail of event delivery and contributing to wider organisational objectives.

In return, you'll join a small, ambitious and supportive team committed to improving the lives of disabled people by supporting a strong and vibrant voluntary sector.

If you're passionate about bringing people together, creating engaging experiences and making a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us.

Farm Discovery Programme Manager

Salary: £40,170 | Home-based | 35 hours per week | Permanent

This is a varied senior role combining programme leadership, team and contract management, quality assurance, safeguarding, data and financial oversight, partnership development and programme improvement.

You’ll ensure our Farm Discovery team has the clarity, support and resources they need to deliver consistently high-quality educational experiences for children from disadvantaged communities. You’ll also use data, feedback and evaluation to improve the programme, develop partnerships and contribute to its future growth and development.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong track record in programme management and leading complex delivery
• Is outstanding at enabling and leading educators and dispersed teams
• Understands the primary education context in England
• Can build strong relationships with schools, farmers, funders and partners
• Has experience of quality, safeguarding, health and safety and risk management
• Is confident using data, managing budgets and improving systems and processes
• Can communicate effectively and work collaboratively across an organisation
• Shares our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for children experiencing disadvantage

The role is home-based, with regular travel across England and North Wales, including overnight stays, an essential part of the role. Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses are covered.

Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements considered, including slightly reduced or compressed hours for the right candidate.

Closing date: Thursday 8 October 2026, midday.
CVs not accepted for this role. Please see our website for more information.

REMAP is a national charity which helps disabled people across the UK, achieve greater independence and a better quality of life. Our community of volunteer engineers design and create equipment when no commercial alternative exists – at no charge to the individuals we help. We are the UK’s only charity providing innovative, custom made and personalised equipment for disabled people. 

We are looking for an experienced Fundraising Manager to focus on leading and developing a diverse programme of fundraising activities that will generate sustainable income and support the organisation’s very compelling cause. REMAP is unique.

Our new Fundraising Manager will be ambitious and enthusiastic, with outstanding written communication and interpersonal skills who is able to develop excellent relationships with volunteers, donors and staff. They will:

• Develop and deliver an effective fundraising plans
• Build relationships with donors, trusts, foundations and corporate partners
• Manage applications, reporting and fundraising targets
• Work closely with REMAP's CEO and colleagues to communicate the impact of our work

To apply please submit your CV and Covering Letter outlining how you meet the personal specification by the deadline of midnight on Monday 28th September 2026. Interviews will take place online via Teams on 12th & 13th October 2026. 

Elrha is a global organisation that finds solutions to complex humanitarian problems through research and innovation. 

We are looking to recruit a Research & Innovation Manager (Maternity Cover) to join our Programmes team on a fixed-term basis. Funding for the role is currently secured until 28 February 2027. While we anticipate the maternity cover requirement continuing until the end of November 2027, any extension beyond 28 February 2027 will be dependent on funding being confirmed. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead and shape Elrha's Readiness to Scale Pipeline, supporting innovative humanitarian solutions as they progress towards wider adoption and real-world impact. You will work closely with promising scaling grantees and technical partners, providing strategic oversight, strengthening quality and learning, and helping to navigate risks and opportunities. As a key member of the team, you will play an important role in advancing and evolving Elrha's approach to scaling and adoption, contributing to the future of humanitarian innovation globally. 

Your application will need to demonstrate: 

• Experience of managing complex grants, programmes or projects, including monitoring performance and impact. 
• Experience designing and delivering applied learning and capacity building activities, including needs assessments, learning journeys and strategy development. 
• An understanding of how innovations can achieve scale, adoption and sustainable impact. 
• Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage diverse partners and build effective relationships. 
• Proven ability to coordinate delivery, manage risk and drive high-quality outcomes. 
• An interest in the humanitarian or development sectors, ideally demonstrated through academic qualifications and/or paid or voluntary work.

Experience of donor engagement, systems and design thinking methods, mentoring innovators or working within humanitarian innovation would also be an advantage. 

If you want to be part of an organisation that creates positive change in the humanitarian sector, then join us and we’ll give you every opportunity to succeed. 

We offer: 

• Remote working as standard – staff can access office bases in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester if required/ appropriate. We expect staff to attend team meetings and away days in person as required. 
• As standard we work 35 hours per week. We are also happy to discuss flexible working patterns and many of our staff work non-standard working hours. 
• Our benefits include minimum 5% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution), life cover, organisational sick pay, family friendly pay and leave schemes; 26-day basic annual leave entitlement with incremental increase depending on length of service, opportunities for learning and development, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and retail discounts platform. 
• Please read through the Information for Candidates document for further information about working at Elrha including information about Our Values, Strategy, Benefits and Salaries. 

Note for applicants: 

• Candidates must have the independent right to work in UK, and be resident in the UK, at the time of appointment as we are unable to support visa sponsorship for this role. 
• This is a maternity cover position. Funding for the role is currently confirmed until 28 February 2027. Any extension beyond this date will be subject to the availability of funding and the ongoing requirements of the role. 
• Please read through the job description for a detailed list of requirements, and ensure you complete the personal statement to explain how you feel you meet the requirements of the role and why you feel this is next career move for you. Applications without this information will not be shortlisted. 
• Elrha is an independent subsidiary of SCUK and benefits from some SCUK systems and processes. 
• We reserve the right to close the advert early should we receive a very high volume of applications. 
• We do not use recruitment agencies.

Closing date: 20 September 2026 

Interview dates: w/c 5 October 2026 

Client Involvement Manager

We are seeking an experienced Client Involvement Manager to ensure lived experience shapes services, decisions and positive change across Depaul UK.

Position: Client Involvement Manager
Salary: £39,080 per annum
Location: Flexible across London, Manchester or the North East
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract
Closing date: 20 September 2026

About the role

Depaul UK is looking for a Client Involvement Manager to champion co-production and ensure the voices of young people and adults experiencing homelessness influence the services and decisions that affect them.

You will lead and develop client involvement across Depaul UK, creating meaningful opportunities for people with lived experience to contribute, influence and take an active role in shaping the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

· Leading and developing client involvement and co-production across Depaul UK

· Supporting and developing The Voice, Depaul UK's client-led group

· Creating opportunities for people with lived experience to influence services and decision-making

· Building clients' confidence and capacity to participate

· Developing client representative, volunteering and alumni opportunities

· Supporting and upskilling colleagues to embed client involvement within everyday practice

· Building relationships with local and national client forums and key stakeholders

· Supporting a small caseload of client representatives

· Monitoring and evaluating the impact of involvement activity

· Producing reports and presenting updates to senior leaders and Trustees

· Ensuring involvement activity reflects safeguarding requirements and relevant regulatory guidance

About you

You will have significant experience of client involvement, co-production, participation or engagement, with a track record of enabling people who use services to have a meaningful voice and influence.

You will understand how to build confidence and capacity, create inclusive opportunities for participation and support colleagues to embed client involvement within service development.

An excellent communicator and relationship-builder, you will be comfortable working with clients, colleagues, senior leaders, Trustees and external stakeholders.

You will also have experience of safeguarding and risk assessment, strong organisational and IT skills and a clear understanding of professional boundaries.

Above all, you will believe that services are stronger when the people who use them have a genuine role in shaping them.

About Depaul UK

Depaul UK has been tackling homelessness since 1989. Today, the charity provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK.

Inspired by the values of St Vincent de Paul, Depaul UK believes in the intrinsic worth of every person and takes practical action to help people build brighter, more independent futures.

Benefits include 26 days' annual leave, increasing with service, pension contributions of up to 7%, tailored training and development, flexible working options where suitable, a cash health plan, Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access and a range of retail, travel and wellbeing discounts.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Co-production Manager, Participation Manager, Lived Experience Manager, Service User Involvement Manager, Engagement Manager, Client Engagement Manager, Community Engagement Manager or Participation and Engagement Manager.

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage is seeking to engage an experienced Learning and Engagement Consultant to support their project Preserving Jewish Heritage, Promoting the Hidden Jewish Story in the year-long Development Phase of its project and for the first six months (of a five-year programme) of the Delivery Phase of the project. The Consultant will support and advise the Synagogues in this first pilot on activities/outreach and education, ultimately creating a framework for future use as a core part of this programme. The role will report to the Project Development Officer.  The Project Development Officer is currently being recruited and will be responsible for the set up and day to day running of the project.

The Foundation’s work to date has demonstrated a significant gap in provision for historic synagogues. There is a clear need for a more defined and comprehensive support function for the UK synagogues sector: one that offers a professional, accessible and user-friendly service; guides and empowers synagogue communities; helps ensure synagogue buildings are well maintained, resilient and future-proofed, including in response to the climate emergency; and supports synagogues to engage more effectively with wider society. This project aims to address that gap.

The Delivery Phase project is subject to a successful funding application to NLHF and there will be a break clause between the Development and Delivery Phases.

Permanent | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Service to join our senior management team.

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead eight services with nine direct reports, spanning substance use and services for children and young people. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, significant senior leadership experience within substance use services is essential, including experience of leading CQC-regulated provision and maintaining high standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance. 

You will also need a strong understanding of safeguarding and the governance required to deliver safe and effective services for children and young people. Direct operational experience of Children & Young People services would be valuable, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong safeguarding and CYP governance experience alongside substantial substance use leadership. 

This permanent appointment offers the opportunity to provide long-term leadership to a significant portfolio and help shape the future development of Cranstoun’s services. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

12-month fixed-term contract | Full-time 

Salary: £58,560 – £71,480 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Location: Home-based with regular national travel 

Job reference number: 1766

Help shape the future of Cranstoun’s services 

Cranstoun is a social justice and harm reduction charity supporting and empowering people to live healthier and safer lives. Each year, we support more than 45,000 people through services including substance use, criminal justice, domestic abuse, housing and services for children and young people. 

Following a successful five-year strategy and significant growth, we remain ambitious about the difference we can make. As we enter our next phase, we are investing in the leadership and operational capability needed to support our continued development. We are now recruiting an Assistant Directors of Services to join our senior management team. 

This is a significant senior leadership role offering the opportunity to lead substantial service portfolios while helping shape how Cranstoun’s services are led and delivered across the organisation. 

The role 

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will lead a substantial portfolio of complex commissioned services and senior operational managers. 

You will lead nine services with nine direct reports, spanning criminal justice and housing/homelessness provision. You will have clear accountability for ensuring services are safe, effective and well-led, with strong contractual performance, financial sustainability and positive outcomes for the people and communities we support. 

You will provide operational grip and evidence-based assurance, strengthen safeguarding and management accountability, build effective relationships with commissioners and partners, and ensure risks and underperformance are identified, escalated and addressed early. 

You will also work collectively with fellow senior operational leaders to embed a One Cranstoun approach, strengthening common standards, sharing learning, developing leadership capability and improving quality and resilience across our services. 

What you will be accountable for 

As an Assistant Director, you will take senior operational accountability for: 

• Safe, effective and well-led services – ensuring strong safeguarding, quality, operational risk management and service user outcomes.  
• Contractual performance – ensuring services deliver against contractual requirements and KPIs, with strong commissioner relationships and timely action to address underperformance.  
• Financial sustainability – maintaining strong financial oversight, effective workforce management and oversight of the sustainability of individual contracts.  
• Evidence-based assurance – using reliable performance, quality, workforce and financial information to identify risks and drive improvement.  
• Collective organisational leadership – working beyond individual portfolio boundaries to build consistent standards, stronger leadership and shared ways of working across Cranstoun.  

You will lead and develop senior operational managers, set clear expectations and create a culture in which support and accountability operate together. 

You will also lead and contribute to service mobilisation, transformation, workforce planning and continuous improvement. 

Who we are looking for 

We are looking for established senior operational leaders with substantial experience leading complex commissioned services and geographically dispersed teams. 

You will bring a strong track record of: 

• leading safe, high-quality services for people with complex needs;  
• safeguarding, quality and operational risk management;  
• contract and performance management;  
• managing significant service budgets and improving financial performance;  
• building effective relationships with commissioners, regulators and strategic partners;  
• leading service improvement, mobilisation and organisational change;  
• developing senior operational managers and addressing underperformance; and  
• using performance, quality, workforce and financial information to provide assurance and drive improvement.  

You will need to combine strategic leadership with operational pragmatism, understanding the detail when necessary while maintaining oversight of performance, risk, quality and sustainability across a complex portfolio. 

Above all, we are looking for collaborative, credible and values-led leaders who can support and challenge in equal measure, build leadership capability and bring people together around common standards and organisational priorities. 

Specialist experience 

For this role, you will need significant leadership experience across both Criminal Justice and Housing/Homelessness services, including housing or accommodation-based provision. 

You will understand the complexity of working across criminal justice, housing, local government and other statutory systems and be experienced in building effective relationships with commissioners and partners while maintaining strong operational and contractual oversight. 

This is a 12-month fixed-term appointment at an important stage in Cranstoun’s transformation, offering the opportunity to lead a significant portfolio, strengthen operational performance and help shape the future development of our operating model. 

Be part of Cranstoun’s next chapter 

Our successful five-year strategy has seen Cranstoun grow considerably, extending our reach and the range of services we provide. We remain ambitious and innovative, committed to developing services that respond to the changing needs of people and communities. 

As we look to the future, we are investing in the leadership, operational capability and organisational infrastructure needed to support our continued development, strengthening operational governance, consistency and assurance across our services. 

This role offers the opportunity to do more than manage established portfolios. You will help shape the future of our services and build an Operations Directorate characterised by high standards, clear accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. 

Find out more 

Please refer to the accompanying recruitment pack for the full Job Description, Person Specification and details of the application process.

Please note: All posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

How to Apply:

For more details and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button. Please quote the appropriate Job Ref in all correspondence.

Applicants must be able to provide satisfactory evidence of their right to work in the UK at the application stage.

Sponsorship is not available for this post. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK that does not require employer sponsorship for the duration of the appointment.

Closing date: Sunday 20 September 2026.

We are an inclusive employer, committed to promoting equality and diversity in all areas of our work. 

Registered Charity No: 1061582

Summary of Main Duties and Objectives of the Job:

· Assist in planning and delivering outreach activities.

· Supervise outreach staff and volunteers.

· Build relationships with community partners.

· Monitor and report on outreach performance.

· Deputise for the Group Manager when required.

· Promote a culture of empowerment, trauma-informed practice, and continuous improvement.

Support the Group Manager to :

· Design and implement outreach strategies to engage diverse communities.

· Develop community-led projects and initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing.

· Ensure service user voices shape outreach and development activities.

· Ensure services meet contractual, legal, and quality standards, including safeguarding, GDPR, and clinical governance.

· Monitor and evaluate service performance, using data and feedback to inform improvements.

· Ensure services are delivered within budget and collaborate with the Finance Manager on financial planning and reporting.

· Contribute to the strategic development of community services, identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.

· Support tendering and funding applications, working with colleagues to develop compelling proposals.

· Build and maintain relationships with commissioners, funders, and community partners.

· Support the professional development of staff and volunteers through supervision, appraisal, and training.

· Work with HR and senior colleagues to identify training needs and promote wellbeing in the workplace.

· Lead safeguarding practice within therapeutic services, ensuring robust policies and procedures are in place.

• Identify and manage risks, reporting to senior leadership as required.
• Ensure service users are meaningfully involved in the design and delivery of services.
• Promote services through outreach, networking, and partnership working to reach underserved communities.
• Prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees.
• Represent Rochdale and District Mind at external meetings, forums, and events.

General principles for all Mind staff:

1. To promote the empowerment of people who experience mental health and emotional wellbeing issues and to help them speak out.

2. To support the active participation of mental health and emotional wellbeing service users in the services they receive.

3. To practice anti-discriminatory behaviour and to adhere to Rochdale and District Mind’s objectives and policies in the delivery of all its services.

These responsibilities are subject to annual review and may need to be adjusted in line with service developments.