Lead Manager

Whatever your experience of street homelessness and its impact on people’s lives – personal or professional – when you join the Thames Reach team as a Lead Manager, we will make the best use of all your understanding, compassion and commitment.

About us…Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities. Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people. Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About this role…We are looking for a Lead Manager to join the Individual Placement Support Team. Prevention services support vulnerable people by providing them with skills, housing advice, accommodation, and tenancy sustainment support. All these services help people transition towards leading independent lives.

You will:

• Lead the operational delivery of an integrated IPS service, ensuring programme outcomes and contractual targets are met or exceeded.
• Manage and support delivery teams, promoting effective integration and joint working with NHS and clinical partners.
• Promote the role of employment within clinical teams, raising expectations around clients’ ability to achieve paid work.
• Ensure services achieve and maintain good fidelity to the evidence‑based IPS model, including preparation for service reviews.
• Use performance data, service feedback, and evaluation to identify gaps, drive service improvements, and support future growth.
• Oversee the collection, quality assurance, and submission of accurate service data to funders and stakeholders.

You will have:

• Experience delivering employment support services, including managing contracts, performance, and people to achieve KPIs and outcomes.
• A good understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, including its practical application, fidelity standards, and review processes.
• Experience in a leadership or management role, with responsibility for line management, supervision, and staff development.
• Experience in leading and motivating teams supporting people with complex needs.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including working with commissioners, partners, and funders.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and reporting skills, with the ability to work independently and use initiative.

Benefits:

• Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).
• Pension – we contribute 6.5% with your pension when you contribute 1.5%.
• Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach.
• Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL.
• Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.
• Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest free season ticket and cycle to work loans.

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

To apply visit our website and complete our application form. For further information please contact, Ruth Shepherd, Service Manager via our website. Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre‑employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.