Service director jobs
Want more results?
Add job titles:
How's your job search on our site?
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
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
Thank you!
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
Thank you!
Harris Hill are delighted to be working exclusively with this National Charitable Charity to recruit their new Deputy Director - Corporate Services & Strategic Finance. (Hybrid)
Deputy Director - Corporate Services & Strategic Finance:
- Position: Permanent
- Location: Central London / Home Working
- Salary: £66,000pa - £71000pa, plus £3.300 London Weighting
- Hybrid working: 1 days a week is required at their offices in Central London.
- Working pattern: Flexible working hours.
- Team structure: The role has responsibility for two Heads of Service, with a wider team of 12 colleagues reporting through them.
Role Purpose:
To support the strategic leadership of the organisation's financial strategy, governance, and corporate services, ensuring robust financial management, regulatory compliance, and effective organisational systems that enable delivery of the charity's mission.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Lead the development and delivery of the organisation's financial strategy, ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and scenario planning.
- Provide high-quality financial insight to the Board, and senior leadership.
- Ensure compliance with Charity SORP, financial regulations, and audit requirements.
- Lead relationships with auditors, investment managers, and financial partners.
Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Maintain robust governance frameworks aligned with charity and company law.
- Lead organisational risk management, including financial, operational, and regulatory risks.
- Ensure compliance with GDPR, safeguarding, procurement, and funder requirements.
- Support the Board, Committee of Audit, Risk & Finance, and other governance bodies with timely reporting.
Corporate Services & Organisational Systems
- Oversee finance, governance, data, procurement, and corporate systems functions.
- Drive continuous improvement in organisational processes, systems, and controls.
- Lead contract negotiation and management with suppliers, funders, and partners.
- Ensure effective use of CRM, finance systems, and digital tools.
Leadership & Culture
- Provide inspirational leadership to multi-disciplinary teams.
- Build a culture of accountability, transparency, and high performance.
- Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion across the organisation.
- Act as a strategic partner.
External Engagement
- Represent the organisation with regulators, funders, partners, and sector bodies.
- Contribute to policy development and sector-wide initiatives where relevant.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Degree-level education and a recognised senior management qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
- Demonstrable understanding of financial regulations, compliance, and reporting with significant experience leading financial strategy in a complex organisation.
- Strong understanding and significant senior experience of company/charity/regulated sector governance and compliance frameworks and the ability to ensure organisational adherence
- Significant experience overseeing financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, audit, and long-term financial modelling.
- Experience in commercial, funder, and supplier contract negotiation, including risk assessment and performance management.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial and data insights to support organisational decision-making.
- Experience working directly with Boards and Committees, providing high-quality strategic insight and assurance.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organisational improvement, systems development, and process optimisation across multiple functions.
Desirable Qualifications & Experience
- A formal accounting qualification (CCAB or equivalent).
- Knowledge of Charities SORP and charity accounting principles.
- Ability to integrate finance, data, and governance into a coherent organisational assurance framework.
- Political and current-affairs awareness relevant to the charity and public-sector landscape.
Leadership
