At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships with the community and voluntary sector to enhance local engagement.
- Company: Join Croydon Council, dedicated to working with diverse communities and partners.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and partnership development at a strategic level.
The predicted salary is between 60573 - 62766 £ per year.
Salary range: Grade 16 £60,573-£62,766 p.a. plus fantastic benefits
Contract: Permanent
Hours of work: 36 hours per week
Location: Croydon
Role Description
This role is a senior strategic leadership post responsible for leading Croydon Council’s relationship with the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) and strengthening how the Council works with communities and partners across the borough. At its core, the role is about ensuring that the Council’s approach to community partnership working is joined‑up, strategic, and outcomes‑focused. The postholder would act as a key corporate lead, building strong relationships with VCFS organisations, community leaders, elected members, senior officers, and statutory partners such as the NHS and Police. They would help shape a shared vision for Croydon, support the development of new partnerships and initiatives, and ensure that community voice is properly reflected in Council decision‑making.
The role also has a strong capacity‑building and advisory dimension. It involves supporting the local VCFS to become more sustainable and influential, including helping identify funding and investment opportunities, while also providing high‑level advice to the Mayor, Cabinet, members, and senior officers on partnership and community issues. Alongside this, the role is responsible for improving coordination across Council services, overseeing performance and governance arrangements, and leading staff to deliver effective community and partnership work.
Overall, this is a role for someone who can combine strategic thinking, political awareness, partnership leadership, and community engagement expertise to help the Council work more effectively with residents and partners and deliver better outcomes for Croydon.
Essential Skills And Abilities
- Ability to lead strategic partnership work with the voluntary, community and faith sector.
- Ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders, elected members, partners, and communities.
- Ability to develop policy, strategy, and service improvements in a complex organisation.
- Ability to engage communities and support co‑production in policy and service design.
- Strong written, verbal, analytical, and presentation skills.
- Ability to provide expert advice and constructive challenge on complex issues.
- Ability to coordinate work across services and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
- Ability to manage staff, performance, projects, and budgets effectively.
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusive community engagement.
Essential Experience
- Experience of working with the VCFS and community partners at a strategic level.
- Experience of partnership development in local government, public sector, or a comparable setting.
- Experience of advising senior leaders and elected members.
- Experience of policy development, strategy delivery, or service transformation.
- Experience of community engagement, involvement, and co‑production.
- Experience of identifying or securing funding and investment opportunities.
- Experience of leading cross‑organisational or partnership‑based projects.
- Experience of staff management, performance monitoring, and reporting.
Closing Date: 21 June 2026
About Us
Croydon Council’s priorities:
- Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable
- Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses
- Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors
- Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice
- Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities
Key Business Plan Outcomes
- Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning
- Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential
- Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home
- People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer
Croydon Council’s new ways of working
Equal Opportunities Statement
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
Community and Voluntary Sector Manager in London employer: Croydon Council
Croydon Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises community engagement and partnership development, offering a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. With a focus on employee growth, the Council provides opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the local community. Located in Croydon, employees benefit from a vibrant environment where they can contribute to shaping the future of the borough and enhancing the lives of its residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community and Voluntary Sector Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the community and voluntary sector. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out for informational chats. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for community work! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or partners, share your experiences and ideas about community engagement. Let them see your commitment to making a difference in Croydon.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the Council’s current initiatives and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your skills can help address these issues. Being informed will impress and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Community and Voluntary Sector Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Community and Voluntary Sector Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:Don’t just list your previous roles; explain how your experience with the VCFS and community partners has prepared you for this position. We want to see specific examples of your strategic leadership and partnership development skills.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croydon Council
✨Know Your Community
Before the interview, dive deep into Croydon's community landscape. Familiarise yourself with key VCFS organisations and their roles. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of local needs and how you can strengthen partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading strategic partnership work. Be ready to discuss how you've developed policies or strategies that have positively impacted community engagement and service delivery.
✨Build Relationships on Paper
Bring along a portfolio showcasing your previous work with senior stakeholders and community leaders. Highlight successful collaborations and any funding opportunities you've secured, as this will illustrate your ability to build effective relationships.
✨Engage with Inclusivity
Demonstrate your commitment to equality and diversity during the interview. Share specific instances where you've engaged diverse communities or supported co-production in policy design, showing that you value inclusive community engagement.
