Service Manager (part-time)

Socata House, Westcliff on Sea

Vacancy listed30/09/2026

Details

Key Responsibilities

Setting Up and Delivering New Projects

• Lead the setting up of new projects, from mobilisation through to becoming part of business as usual, including planning, resourcing and putting the right delivery arrangements in place.
• Ensure existing projects are running to plan, identifying and addressing slippage, risks or issues promptly.
• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines and reporting arrangements appropriate to each project's funding and governance requirements.
• Manage a small budget for designated projects, working within agreed limits and escalating any variance promptly.

Ensuring Join‑Up Across Community Family Services

• Work across City Family's community family services to ensure they are joined up, consistent and responsive to the needs of families and communities.
• Identify and resolve gaps, duplication or inconsistency between projects and services.
• Work closely with the Head of Quality, the Strategic Development Manager and the Registered Manager at Willow Reach to support consistency of practice and standards across the organisation.

Staff Leadership

• Line manage Team Leaders and Project Leads, providing supervision, coaching and operational guidance.
• Ensure staff supervision, appraisal and support processes are completed in line with organisational expectations.
• Support safe staffing arrangements across the projects and services within scope.
• Promote staff wellbeing and a positive team culture.

Safeguarding

• Promote a culture of safeguarding across all projects and services within scope, in line with City Family's Safeguarding Policy.
• Ensure staff understand and follow safeguarding procedures, and escal ate concerns promptly.
• Where the post-holder has the necessary training and experience, act as a Safeguarding Deputy; where they do not, this function sits with another suitably trained and experienced member of staff

Partnership Working

• Build and maintain effective relationships with VCSE, health, education and other community partners relevant to the projects within scope.
• Represent City Family at meetings, forums and partnership activity where appropriate.
• Contribute to funding or business development activity relevant to the projects within scope.

Reporting and Quality

• Maintain accurate operational data and reporting for all projects within scope.
• Contribute to reports for the Head of Quality, senior leadership, funders and the Board as required.
• Support quality assurance activity, including audits and file reviews, relevant to the projects within scope.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of setting up new projects or services, from mobilisation through to steady‑state delivery.
• Experience of managing projects to plan, including budgets, timelines and reporting.
• Experience of line managing or supervising staff.
• A working knowledge of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills, able to manage several projects concurrently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, comfortable reporting to senior colleagues and external partners.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and family voice.
• Strong IT skills, including a good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite

Desirable

• A project management qualification, such as PRINCE2, APM or an equivalent.
• Experience managing or coordinating family support, early help or a comparable children and family service — not essential, and applicants without this background are welcomed provided the essential criteria above are met.
• Training or experience relevant to a Safeguarding Deputy role.

Skills and Attributes

• A proactive, hands‑on approach to getting new projects off the ground.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively, and to flex across several priorities at once.
• Good problem‑solving skills, able to respond flexibly to changing service need.
• A commitment to ongoing professional development.

Additional Requirements

• Able to work 21 hours a week over 3 to 4 days, always including a Friday.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (preferred) or the ability to travel across the areas City Family works in

Equalities

The post-holder must be aware of and respect difference and ensure that children have equality of access to opportunities to grow, learn and develop. They must have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and anti‑racism issues.

Policies and Procedures

The post-holder must be aware of and comply with all the organisation's policies and procedures, including those relating to: bribery and corruption, safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, health and safety, security, and signing agreements and contracts and financial matters.

This role description is not an exhaustive list of duties and you will also be required to carry out any other duties which may reasonably be required of you in accordance with the needs of City Family CIC. You are also required to be flexible and adaptable with respect to your role.

Terms and Conditions

• Salary | £34,000 to £37,000 per annum FTE (Grade 8), based on experience and qualifications Actual salary for 21 hours a week is approximately £19,040 to £20,720, pro rata against a 37.5 hour FTE.
• Hours | 21 hours per week, worked over 3 to 4 days, to include a Friday
• Base | Socata House, Westcliff on Sea
• Annual Leave | 26 days plus public holidays, pro rota’d
• Contract Type | Fixed term until 31 March 2028

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them. Appointment is also subject to satisfactory references.

Professional Development

• Regular supervision from the Head of Quality.
• Continuing professional development support relevant to project management and community family services.
• An annual appraisal against the success measures below.

Success Measures

• New projects successfully set up and mobilised to plan.
• Existing projects delivered against their plans, with issues identified and addressed promptly.
• Effective join‑up and coordination across City Family's community family services.
• A stable, well‑supervised team of Team Leaders and Project Leads.
• The designated budget managed within agreed limits.
• Where held, Safeguarding Deputy responsibilities discharged effectively.

Pension

The table below shows the base contributions and the dates they will rise. You can also choose to give more than the minimum amount, should you wish.

City Family Organisational Standards

• Be accountable and honest | Ensure your actions align with your words and our values. Be truthful, stay committed to your responsibilities, respect confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest. Own your actions and acknowledge errors promptly, working to rectify them.
• Remain professional and positive | Approach situations and interactions with a can‑do attitude. Be polite, encourage others and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Be flexible in your approach.
• Respect others | Actively listen to others, communicate clearly, avoiding assumptions and judgements. Respond to tasks in a timely manner and treat others with dignity and compassion.
• Be a team player | Actively contribute to City Family's vision, support colleagues and value diversity. Provide constructive feedback in a supportive environment.

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