At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community engagement and strengthen partnerships with local voluntary and community sector groups.
- Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant and diverse community in South London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping Lambeth’s future and championing equity.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement, partnership working, and event organisation.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community connection.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 58000 £ per year.
Voluntary and Community Sector Manager REF: 2690 PO5: £54,360 pa rising in annual increments to £57,495 pa inc LW. 12 Month Secondment Opportunity/Fixed Term Contract and Full Time
About Us: Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth.
About the Team: The role sits in the Community Engagement and Participation Service, in the Strategy, Communications and Change Division. The team champions and coordinates resident and VCS engagement across the council, to strengthen connectivity and partnership working across all services. The team manages the council's community engagement platform and consultations, delivers community events, connects local partners and projects, and manages and promotes the VCS support offer.
About the Role: The council’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Manager is a critical role in strengthening the council’s relationships and partnership working with the local VCS, to help achieve our Lambeth 2030 vision together. You’ll act as a bridge to connect with groups, share feedback and link the sector with the council’s different departments and projects. A particular focus is on connecting with underrepresented groups, boosting participation and championing equity and justice throughout. A fundamental part of this role is to build meaningful relationships with local VCS groups, understand their experiences, identify collective needs and aspirations and celebrate their impact. This will involve regularly attending community visits and events, being visible out in our communities and being a key point of contact for local groups.
Other key elements of this role include:
- To provide leadership to the VCS Team
- Organise and deliver the quarterly VCS Network events
- Produce the monthly VCS newsletter.
- Manage the VCS infrastructure and support services contract
- Coordinate VCS projects, support and activities across the council, with health and wider partners.
This role is a 1-year fixed term post so the successful candidate will be required to hit the ground running and will need to demonstrate strong experience in supporting VCS organisations.
To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence:
- An in-depth understanding of the identity of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) and their common needs and aspirations.
- Experience in partnership working with a broad range of teams, partners and organisations to share insight, collaborate and develop joined up solutions.
- Experience in contract management.
- Experience in organising and delivering large scale community events.
- Experience in engaging and supporting underrepresented communities and championing participation, inclusion and accessibility within services.
How to Apply: To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence how you meet the shortlisting criteria on the personal specification marked “A” for application.
We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement.
Recruitment Timelines: Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 1 March 2026 Shortlisting date: W/2 March 2026 Interview Date: W/C 16 March 2026
Contact Information: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Amelia Willis, Head of Community Engagement and Participation – awillis1@lambeth.gov.uk
At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Voluntary & Community Sector Manager employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH-6
Contact Detail:
LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH-6 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Voluntary & Community Sector Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the community! Attend local events and engage with residents. This will not only help you understand their needs but also show your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with local VCS groups and other stakeholders. Building relationships is key, so don’t be shy about reaching out and introducing yourself.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your past successes in community engagement and partnership working. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Lambeth team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Voluntary & Community Sector Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Voluntary & Community Sector Manager. Highlight your experience in partnership working and community engagement, as these are key aspects of the job.
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the job description. Use specific examples from your past experiences to show your understanding of the VCS and your ability to champion inclusion.
Be Authentic: Show your personality in your application! We want to see your passion for community work and how you connect with underrepresented groups. Authenticity goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application is received and considered. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised and efficient.
How to prepare for a job interview at LONDON BOROUGH OF LAMBETH-6
✨Know Your VCS Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the voluntary and community sector (VCS) in Lambeth. Familiarise yourself with local organisations, their needs, and how they contribute to the community. This will help you demonstrate your commitment and ability to connect with these groups during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Partnership Skills
Prepare examples of your experience in partnership working. Think about times you've collaborated with various teams or organisations to achieve common goals. Be ready to discuss how you can bring this experience to strengthen relationships within the VCS and the council.
✨Highlight Your Event Management Experience
Since organising large-scale community events is a key part of the role, come prepared with specific examples of events you've managed. Talk about the challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and the impact these events had on the community.
✨Emphasise Inclusion and Accessibility
Demonstrate your passion for championing underrepresented communities. Share your experiences in engaging these groups and how you've promoted participation and accessibility in your previous roles. This will show that you align with the council's values and are committed to equity and justice.