Unity centre manager jobs
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are looking for an experienced leader with key skills in line management, bid-writing and safeguarding, preferably with a qualification in social work. Our ideal candidate will be emotionally resilient, compassionate and empathetic with a proven background in managing people and overseeing service delivery. You will be responsible for service quality, operational strategies and policies, providing high-level support to a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers and bid writing to secure long term funding for the charity to continue its vital work.
The charity provides support to vulnerable parents with pre-school aged children living in the borough of Gravesham, supporting up to 85 families at any given time. Waterside offers 1:1 support, peer group sessions, structured family sessions, access to local agency clinics, counselling services, and courses, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year.
Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will work with the team, trustees and external providers to ensure the delivery of impactful services and cultivation of strong partnerships in order to respond to the local needs of our families.
The Centre Manager role will be expected to work from the centre the majority of the time as it is important to have a presence with the families and staff. On occasion, when it is required to meet key deadlines, working from home is supported but this is on an ad-hoc basis and not part of a regular working pattern.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead, manage and co-ordinate the work of Waterside Parents’ Centre to ensure smooth running of the service.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery and adherence to best practices.
• Lead and support a dedicated team, providing supervision, training, and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure you are visible and approachable to the families we engage with specifically in family sessions.
• Effective bid writing to secure crucial funding for the charity
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funders, and commissioners.
• Develop and implement strategic plans that align with the organisation’s goals and values.
• Manage all policies and procedures ensuring that they align with appropriate legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Work with the Finance Officer to ensure accuracy of financial recording and reporting.
Skills and Experience:
Desirable
• Experience in a social work environment.
Required
• Experience of leading services in the charity or social care sector.
• Non judgmental approach ensuring focus is on acceptance and understanding.
• Proven ability to manage diverse funding contracts and reporting requirements.
• Strong team leadership, with a focus on collaboration and staff development.
• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
What we are offering you:
Waterside is a family-centric employer and we provide our employees with a supportive and engaging environment.
As well as ongoing development and training, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working and hybrid working on occasion. We offer a contributory pension scheme and free on-site parking.
Waterside is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity and diversity. This role is subject to DBS checks
Supporting Parents with Children in Mind. Our aims are to support parent emotional health and wellbeing and prevent child abuse
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Spear Centre Manager will work as part of the River Church staff team to oversee the delivery of Spear—an employability programme equipping and empowering unemployed 16-24 year-olds to overcome barriers to employment and turn their lives around by moving into sustainable work or further education.
The important stuff
Salary: Up to £27,222 pro rata
Hours: Part-Time, 4 days; 9.30am-5.30pm with some out-of-hours work needed for events such as our Spear Celebrations
Location: River Church Ipswich – we are an office-based organisation, situated with direct and fast links to London
Closing date: We are interviewing on a rolling basis and might close the application early if we find the right candidate
Application pack: Download our application pack for more information
We welcome applications from those who are already part of a local church.
Key Responsibilities
Oversight of the Spear Programme
Spear Foundation is a 4-week initial phase, consisting of 2 group sessions plus a 1:1 with each trainee per week, in which we coach young people around skills and mindsets to support them in returning to work or education, and equip them with the skills to stay there.
- Prepare and coach group and 1-1 sessions with the Spear Assistant Coach.
- Oversee all aspects of the programme coordination and delivery.
- Ensure the programme is delivered in line with agreed targets, and report to Resurgo and the church on enrolment, retention and completion of Spear Trainees, as well as their ongoing progress.
Partnership liaison and relationship management
- Build and implement a strategy for developing and maintaining relationships with local referral partners to build the profile of the Spear programme within Ipswich and ensure the young people who would benefit from the programme are able to access it.
- Steward relationships with young people after initial point of contact, to encourage enrolment and ensure a full cohort is enrolled for each programme.
Line management and training
- Manage the Spear Assistant Coach, using a coaching approach to invest in their growth and development.
- Work with and be managed by River Church staff locally, and by a Church Partnerships Manager from Resurgo on a national level, to ensure the flourishing of the Spear centre, its team and young people, and to ensure the fulfilment of our shared mission in Ipswich.
- Work with and report to Resurgo teams on KPIs, and use outcomes data to maximise the effectiveness of the programme.
Supporting River Church’s mission and ministry
- Establish strong relationships with key people at the church to ensure the engagement of church members and to build a network of supporters for the Spear programme, though it is not a requirement of the role for the successful candidate to join River Church as their worshipping community if they are already part of another local church
- Work with the Head of Operations and the Fundraising Assistant to prepare grant funding applications for Spear Ipswich, and provide timely grant reporting.
- Keep the River Church congregation updated on the Spear programme to ensure it is a seamless part of the church’s missional work.
Personal qualities we're looking for:
- An active Christian, able to personally represent the values and beliefs of Resurgo and River Church, and a commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader.
- Passion for social justice and for working as part of the church to transform communities, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
- A dynamic and engaging individual with an enthusiasm for and experience of group and 1-1 coaching and training.
- A creative, ambitious and self-motivated individual with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
- A strong leader with experience of line managing and developing others in a high support, high challenge style.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a confidence developing internal and external relationships, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!
With young people, with organisations, for society.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Us: The Weir Link is a small and vibrant charity and community centre dedicated to bringing the community together through educational, training, and social opportunities. Established in June 2010, we have transformed a derelict space into a thriving hub for local residents. Our centre hosts a variety of activities including after-school clubs, stay-and-play sessions, arts and crafts, Pilates, yoga, ante-natal classes, and community meetings.
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract – 1 year (potential to extend)
Location: Clapham Park/Balham, SW12
Hours: 20 hours per week, working pattern can be flexible, subject to agreement
Salary: £20-25 per hour depending on experience
Job Description: We are seeking an experienced Centre Manager to join our team and manage this important community resource. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about community development and has a proven track record in business development, fundraising, and, ideally, project management.
Key Responsibilities:
Oversee the management and operation of The Weir Link in alignment with our mission, vision, and values.
Identify fundraising opportunities and submit credible applications resulting in income generated to support the great work of the Centre.
Manage the delivery of high-quality activities and events for the local community.
Maintain and develop partnerships with organizations and community groups.
Line-manage the Facilities and Bookings Coordinator to ensure the building is well-maintained and safe.
Work with Trustees to implement the business plan and sustainable funding strategy.
Develop and execute an effective marketing strategy to promote our activities and events.
Ensure all visitors feel welcome, safe, and encouraged, and maintain systems for monitoring satisfaction and evaluating outcomes.
Person Specification:
Experience in business development and identifying potential opportunities.
Proven success in fundraising and applying for grants.
Strong project management skills, including marketing and communications.
Experience in community research and organizing events.
Motivated, organized, and reliable with a flexible and resourceful approach.
Commitment to contributing meaningfully to the local community.
Benefits:
Flexible working pattern, ideal for parents or carers.
Hybrid working options during school holidays.
Opportunity to make a significant impact in the community.
How to Apply: Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you are suitable for the role and why you would like to work for The Weir Link.
Interview Process: First interviews will take place between 20th and 23rd May, in person, at The Weir Link. There will be a final, informal conversation between the successful candidate and the trustees as a second and final stage (virtual).
Ready to make an impact? Apply now!
The Weir Link acts as a catalyst for change by offering educational, training and social support for local residents.




The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Thames Chase Community Forest was established in 1990 and covers an area of 98 square miles on the edge of east London and south-west Essex. Thames Chase Trust welcomes around 65,000 visitors per year to the Forest Centre complex. The architecturally acclaimed Visitor Centre is the information hub for the entire Community Forest and includes a cafe, shop, and public toilets. The complex also includes a 17th century barn, original stable block, refurbished Education Room, and farm cottages.
Our dedicated and friendly Forest Centre team seeks to provide the best possible visitor experience and to continue to develop and grow the complex. You will manage volunteers and five members of staff focussed on the Forest Centre complex. The staff team includes four Forest Centre Assistants and one Forest Centre Caretaker. You will be further supported by our Communications and Media Officer, Finance Officer, and Administration Officer. You will also work closely with the Progammes Team whose focus is project delivery across the Community Forest.
Role Description - What will you do?
People
You will bring this spectacular place closer to the hearts of visitors, our local communities and our many partners and you will lead on facilities, retail, catering (outsourced), visitor experience, membership, and volunteer teams.
You will show initiative in developing the visitor experience through events, guiding, informing, and reinforcing the Thames Chase Plan, brand and values.
You will need to be able to promote the natural and cultural heritage of landscapes.
You will be familiar with the use of professional and social media and will need to be an exceptional communicator and an inspiring manager for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of staff and volunteers.
You will know just how to get the very best out of everyone and to support and motivate the team. There are set targets for income, and you will be responsible for ensuring that your team meets these.
You will lead the development, integration and delivery of all the visitor facing elements of the Thames Chase Forest Centre complex.
Place
You will work with the Thames Chase Community Forest Director, Deputy Director, your fellow colleagues and with the support of the Board of Trustees, to create a sense of place, a destination venue and a resource that families and visitors will consider as a day’s offer.
You will sensitively maximise the built heritage within the complex, acknowledging that this adds to the sense of place, our culture, heritage, and tradition. In particular, the agricultural heritage of this landscape.
Business
You will support the Thames Chase Community Forest Deputy Director in leading staff and volunteers in developing and growing the income from all aspects of the Forest Centre, to support the work and aims of the Community Forest and provide a quality visitor experience.
To create a robust business plan for the Forest Centre complex that identifies income potential and scope for maximising the diverse facilities on site whilst protecting the built, cultural and natural heritage
The approach you will need and the skills and attributes we require
To be an exceptional communicator, team-player, and an inspiring manager of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team. Teamwork will be essential for your role.
To quickly gain an understanding of the Thames Chase Plan and the overall functions, aims and objectives of Thames Chase Community Forest.
To quickly gain an understanding of the Forest Centre budget and financial procedures.
To be familiar with the use of social media, be an effective communicator and able to engage and enthuse others.
To be IT proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Google Docs.
To have a Full UK driving licence.
To be flexible. The operation of the Forest Centre complex is 7 days. The role requires some evening, weekend and bank holiday working
Your application should comprise a covering letter and comprehensive CV indicating experience against the criteria in the Role Description.
Closing date and interviews By 12pm Monday 12th May 2025. Interviews will take place at the Thames Chase Forest Centre on Monday 19th May 2025.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We are delighted to be working with Resurgo Trust, a Christian Charity, who are partnering with River Church to deliver the award-winning Spear programme in Ipswich. One of 17 UK centres, Spear Ipswich work with 16-24 years old who face barriers to employment equipping them with the skills and mindset to find work and thrive.
They are now looking for a Centre Manager who can oversee all aspects of the programme coordination and delivery, to ensure it is delivered in line with agreed targets, reporting to Resurgo and the church, whilst providing effective leadership to the Assistant Coaches.
All Spear coaches work face-to-face with young people, having the privilege to invest in their lives, but receive regular training as a group, so you’d be joining a network of many likeminded coaches eager to see young people’s lives radically impacted. You’ll work with and be supported by the River Church locally, and by a Church Partnerships Manager from Resurgo, to ensure the flourishing of the Spear centre, its team and young people, and to ensure the fulfilment of their shared mission in Ipswich.
You will be able to demonstrate
- Your passion for social justice and for working as part of the church to transform communities, especially supporting young people in employment or education.
- An enthusiasm for and experience of group and 1-1 coaching and training.
- Creativity, ambition and self-motivation, with the ability to prioritise workload, exercise initiative and work well under pressure.
- Strong leadership with experience of line managing and developing others in a highly support style.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a confidence developing internal and external relationships, high emotional intelligence, and a sense of fun!
You will be an active Christian, able to personally represent the values and beliefs of Resurgo and River Church, and a commitment to grow and learn spiritually and as a Christian leader. As you would be employed by River Church, with prayer and worship embedded into daily working practices, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for applicants to be practicing Christians.
For more information, please contact Louise Portnall, Recruitment Consultant, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion*, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.
*In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, Part 1, Schedule 9, it is a genuine occupational requirement that the post holder is a practicing Christian.
Closing date: 23rd May 2025
Applications are being reviewed on receipt and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Please apply without delay to avoid disappointment.
With young people, with organisations, for society.



