At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the launch of a new residential mental health service and build a dedicated team.
- Company: Active Pathways, a leading mental health and rehabilitation provider with over 20 years' experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, wellbeing perks, and ongoing leadership support.
- Other info: Join a growing organisation with opportunities for career progression and influence.
- Why this job: Shape a new service from the ground up and make a real difference in mental health care.
- Qualifications: Experienced Registered Manager with a strong track record in regulated mental health settings.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 50000 £ per year.
Active Pathways is growing, and we’re looking for an exceptional Registered Manager to lead the opening of a new 12-bed residential mental health service in Manchester, launching later this year. You’ll take the service from mobilisation through to a stable, high-performing operation: finalising the environment with contractors, building trusted relationships with local commissioners, shaping referral pathways, recruiting and developing your team, and embedding a culture that reflects our CARE values. This role offers genuine influence, autonomy and long-term opportunity.
This is a rare opportunity to join at the very start of the service’s journey. You won’t be inheriting an established operation — you’ll be shaping it. If you’re an accomplished Registered Manager from a regulated residential mental health setting and you’re energised by building something exceptional, we’d like to speak with you.
Why this role is different
- Lead the opening and mobilisation of a new residential service
- Shape the culture, standards and operating model from day one
- Build and develop your own multidisciplinary team
- Work directly with commissioners to generate, assess and convert referrals
- Drive occupancy, performance and growth in a growing region
- Play a key role in Active Pathways’ ambition to grow from 150 to 300 beds by 2030
- Position yourself for further senior opportunities as we continue to expand across Greater Manchester
Whether you bring experience of opening new services, managing multiple sites, or transforming and stabilising existing residential services, this is a role with scope, stretch and progression.
As our Registered Manager, you will:
- Work with the Regional Manager and Operations Support Team to lead the setup and opening of a new residential mental health service within our comprehensive mobilisation framework
- Work closely with contractors and internal teams to ensure the environment is safe, compliant and ready for service delivery
- Establish robust clinical governance, quality and risk frameworks aligned with CQC expectations
- Build strong relationships with local commissioners, professionals and partners to support referral flow and occupancy
- Assess and manage referrals, supporting safe admissions and effective pathways
- Recruit, develop and lead a skilled, values-driven team from the ground up
- Maintain accountability for quality, safety, occupancy, performance and financial sustainability
- Act as the Registered Person with CQC, ensuring inspection readiness and regulatory compliance
- Model Active Pathways’ CARE values in all aspects of leadership and decision-making
- Contribute to wider organisational growth and development within the region
This is a role with real influence, strategic exposure and the chance to leave a legacy.
About You
You will be:
- An experienced Registered Manager, with a Good or Outstanding CQC track record
- A senior leader from complex, regulated mental health settings
- Ambitious and commercially aware, with the drive to grow alongside a scaling organisation
- Visible, people-centred and uncompromising on quality and standards
Ideally you will have:
- Experience of successfully opening new services
- Multi-site management experience, working across different services and service types
- Experience of successfully leading service transformation or turnaround
You’ll bring:
- Strong experience leading regulated residential mental health services
- Credibility and confidence to act as a Registered Person with CQC
- A passion for recovery-focused, least restrictive care
- The ability to balance clinical quality, governance and commercial performance
- A leadership style that is visible, values-led and empowering
The Best Bits
- Competitive salary, with flexibility for the right individual
- 27 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Additional annual leave at 2, 3 and 5 years’ service
- Workplace pension scheme
- Option to purchase up to 5 additional days’ leave
- Refer a Friend scheme – earn up to £500 per referral
- Wellbeing benefits, including company sick pay, occupational health service and a Health Cash Plan for health costs, virtual GP, counselling and discounted gym membership
- Free Blue Light Card membership
- Free enhanced DBS, on-site parking and lunch (for site-based roles)
- Ongoing leadership support, development and progression opportunities
Passionate About Joining Us?
Given our exciting growth ambitions, we welcome applications from experienced CQC Registered Managers from complex mental health settings, including those with multi-site responsibility and/or mobilisation experience. If this sounds like the right next step, we’d welcome an open and confidential conversation to explore the opportunity, the scope of the role and how the overall package could be shaped for the right person.
About Us
Active Pathways is a specialist mental health and rehabilitation provider with over 20 years’ experience delivering recovery-focused services across the North of England. We support adults with complex mental health needs through residential rehabilitation, step-down services and supported living, working closely with individuals to build independence, confidence and meaningful lives beyond services. Our CARE values — Competent, Accountable, Resilient and Ethical — are at the heart of everything we do. They shape how we lead, how we support our teams, and how we deliver safe, high-quality care. We are proud to be CQC Rated Outstanding and Investors in People Gold.
Registered Manager (New Mental Health Service) in Manchester employer: Brookhaven
Contact Detail:
Brookhaven Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager (New Mental Health Service) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the mental health sector. Attend local events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get that interview, make sure to express your enthusiasm for shaping a new service. Talk about your vision for the role and how you can contribute to building a culture that reflects Active Pathways’ CARE values. Let them see your drive!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the challenges of opening a new service. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams, managed quality, and built relationships with commissioners.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Active Pathways and being part of our exciting journey in mental health care.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager (New Mental Health Service) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Registered Manager role. Highlight your experience in opening new services and managing teams, as this is what we’re really looking for!
Showcase Your Values: We want to see how you embody our CARE values: Competent, Accountable, Resilient, and Ethical. Share examples from your past roles that demonstrate these qualities, especially in a mental health setting.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Brookhaven
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role and the company. Familiarise yourself with Active Pathways’ CARE values and how they align with your own leadership style. This will help you demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the position, but also for the company culture.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in detail, especially those related to opening new services or managing multiple sites. Use specific examples to illustrate your successes and how they can translate into this new role. Highlight your track record with CQC and any relevant transformations you've led.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their vision for the new service and express genuine interest in their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for a job, but are invested in contributing to the team’s success.
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership approach and how it aligns with the values of Active Pathways. Share examples of how you’ve empowered teams and fostered a positive culture in previous roles. This is crucial for a position where you’ll be shaping a new service from the ground up.