At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community support services and empower individuals to transform their lives.
- Company: Future Projects, a Norwich charity dedicated to helping those in need.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days leave, and potential for a four-day work week.
- Other info: Flexible hours with training provided and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in community support and strong management skills required.
Location: Norwich (The Baseline Centre), with occasional travel across Norfolk
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week (subject to Four Day Week scheme following 6 months in post)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £33,500 pa
Leave: 25 days per annum plus Bank Holidays
Application Deadline: Monday 7th December 2026
Interviews: Week commencing Monday 14th December 2026
Reports to: Head of Community Services
About the Role
Future Projects is a Norwich charity, founded in 2000, helping people in difficult situations build the skills, confidence and resilience to take control and transform their lives. We provide practical support across food and essentials, advice and guidance, health and wellbeing, employment, education and community connection.
As Community Services Manager, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of our community support services, including The Baseline Centre, Pathways homelessness support, financial resilience and welfare advice, and youth crime prevention. You will line manage senior staff and project leads, and act as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day running of community services, overseeing referrals, caseloads and capacity.
- Line manage, supervise and develop senior staff and project leads, building a positive, supportive team culture.
- Act as a DSL and oversee health and safety, risk and the quality of frontline practice.
- Make sure projects meet their targets, budgets and funding requirements, and contribute to funder reporting.
- Build strong partnerships with local authorities, health services, voluntary organisations and funders.
- Identify funding opportunities and contribute to bids, tenders and the development of new services.
About You
- Experience managing community support, advice, guidance or related services for people facing disadvantage.
- Proven line management and leadership skills, including supervision, performance and staff wellbeing.
- Able to oversee multiple services and projects and manage competing priorities.
- Good knowledge of safeguarding adults and children, and willing to take on DSL responsibilities and training.
- Experience managing funded services, including targets, reporting and budgets.
- Experience contributing to funding applications, tenders or service development.
- Desirable: experience as a DSL or Deputy DSL, and across areas such as welfare benefits, housing, mental health or youth services.
How to Apply
Apply through this advert to receive an application form, along with the full job description. Complete the form in full, using the person specification and key deliverables to structure your answers. CVs are not accepted without a completed application form. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in the week commencing Monday 14th December 2026.
Additional Information
Some flexibility needed around service delivery and funding deadlines, including occasional evening or weekend work. Induction and training provided, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and DSL training. Appointment subject to pre-employment checks, including right to work, two references and an appropriate DBS check. Future Projects is an equal opportunities, Living Wage and Disability Confident employer.
Community Services Manager in Earlham employer: Future Projects
Future Projects is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a tangible impact in the Norfolk community. As a trustee, you will join a passionate board committed to tackling poverty and deprivation, with opportunities for personal growth and professional development while shaping the future of vital services. The hybrid work culture allows for flexibility, ensuring that your contributions can be made from anywhere, all while being part of a mission-driven organisation that values diverse perspectives and experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Services Manager in Earlham
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Future Projects.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Future Projects.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Future Projects.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Future Projects. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Services Manager in Earlham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Future Projects. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Community Services Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Future Projects
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Future Projects. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
