Operations Manager - Criminal Justice in Maidstone

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with the feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you! We are looking for an Operations Manager to manage our Kent services.

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 pro rata

Location: This role can be based in Maidstone or Canterbury but will require regular presence in both. We offer hybrid working with up to 2 days per week from home, with an expectation of a minimum of three days spent in face‑to‑face, in‑person contact (e.g. in Women’s Centres, Estates or external visits), and one of these days being a monthly visit to head office in Hammersmith.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term – until 31st March 2027 with potential to extend. This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check. This role is also subject to Police Vetting.

About Us

Advance is an award‑winning and innovative women‑only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short‑term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non‑violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community. We are a community‑based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community.

About the role

As an experienced senior manager with a proven track record of leadership you will lead and manage the Advance commissioned services across your region, working collaboratively with fellow Advance managers, external agencies and key subcontracted partners to provide a consistent and holistic service. You will manage the front line workers who deliver a 1:1 advocacy service, as well as a Women’s Interventions programme, through women’s centres and hubs that fulfil the needs of the women accessing the service.

About You

• A thorough understanding of and knowledge of the issues relating to women in the criminal justice system
• A sound knowledge of safeguarding adult and children principles, child abuse, child protection issues and safeguarding
• A good knowledge and understanding of organisational systems and frameworks, line management and project management
• Significant experience of working with women and/or service users with a complex range of needs, particularly within the criminal justice system, in custody and/or community
• Experience with report writing, contract management and financial reporting including analysis of outcomes, outputs and gaps
• Experience of implementing quality assurance frameworks, monitoring, evaluating and measuring impact
• The ability to work well within a team and responsibly on own initiative and of maintaining professional boundaries with staff, clients and partner agencies

How to apply

Please submit your up‑to‑date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

Closing Date for Applications: Sunday 17th May 2026

Interviews are taking place w/c 18th May. Advance reserves the right to close the advert early, or on the appointment of a candidate.

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits

• A 35-hour working week
• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that’s nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)
• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day, and for religious observance and moving home
• Perkbox – an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee eye‑care scheme
• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles
• Refer a Friend Scheme – £250 for each referral who passes probation
• Organisation wide away days
• One‑week paid carer’s leave
• Career development pathways

Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have special needs, please email the Talent Acquisition Team via the Advance website and will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero‑tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities.

When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, which involves carrying out pre‑employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.