Area Manager in Sheffield

About the Role

We are now seeking an experienced, values-led Area Manager to join our Senior Leadership Team at a pivotal stage in the system’s development. Reporting to the Head of Service, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a defined portfolio of service functions and pathways. You will drive performance, quality, governance and innovation — ensuring safe, compliant and high-impact delivery in a complex, fast-moving environment. You will lead through complexity with clear, decisive communication, ensuring effective prioritisation and delegation across teams. Crucially, you will help shape how our integrated model continues to evolve, strengthening partnerships and embedding best practice across the system. This is more than an operational leadership role. It is an opportunity to influence the direction of one of England’s largest integrated treatment systems — supporting staff to thrive and ensuring people accessing treatment feel understood, respected and empowered to achieve lasting recovery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strong strategic and operational leadership across designated service areas.
• Implement, develop and lead the operational management of services within your area.
• Drive performance against KPIs and quality standards, using data and management information to continuously improve services.
• Analyse performance information and ensure effective systems are in place for monitoring and recording all aspects of service delivery.
• Support business planning and implementation of company strategy and policy, developing action plans to achieve and maintain performance targets.
• Provide clear, decisive leadership within a complex, fast-paced service environment, ensuring effective prioritisation and delegation.
• Manage, mentor and develop Service Managers, Lead Practitioners, Team Managers, Coordinators and volunteers, ensuring robust supervision, appraisal and performance management processes are in place.
• Work alongside fellow Area Managers to ensure consistency in service delivery, processes and quality standards across the system.
• Promote and embed Waythrough’s Integrated Governance framework and support services to achieve required standards within internal audits and external inspection frameworks (including CQC where applicable).
• Manage service contracts for sub-contracted partners, ensuring operational, performance and quality standards are delivered.
• Be the Registered Manager for CQC where appropriate.
• Support mobilisation of new services and organisational change initiatives.
• Represent Waythrough in a professional manner and build credible, influential partnerships across health, justice and community sectors.
• Maintain effective relationships with commissioners, statutory partners, service users, staff teams and other stakeholders.
• Support budget management and operate within agreed financial parameters.
• Take responsibility for health and safety within the working environment, including premises and facilities management where required.
• Provide reports and briefings to the Senior Management Team, Commissioners and relevant operational and strategic meetings.
• Ensure services are accessible, with particular attention to underrepresented groups.
• Ensure organisational systems (including Workday) are maintained accurately and in a timely manner.

About You

• Significant experience within substance misuse / drug and alcohol treatment services, including a minimum of two years’ management experience at a comparable level.
• Demonstrable experience of service delivery management.
• Significant experience of inter‑agency and partnership working across health, justice and community sectors.
• Experience of working within quality frameworks such as CQC, Ofsted or QAF.
• Experience of contributing positively to organisational change and service development.
• The ability to build inclusive, motivated and high‑performing teams.
• Clear, confident and decisive communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret performance data and drive improvement.
• A commitment to compassionate, person‑centred care alongside strong performance delivery.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and management information systems.
• A recognised management qualification (e.g., Level 5 in Leadership/Management) or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
• Familiarity with local service provisions and partner agencies.