At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage youth services, ensuring high-quality support for young people.
- Company: Join MAP, a charity dedicated to empowering young people and promoting social justice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, ongoing training, and employee support programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and a passion for youth work.
- Other info: Flexible working options available and a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 37607 - 40290 £ per year.
MAP is a charity providing free and independent advice, counselling, youth work, and education for young people. We are committed to creating positive outcomes for young people by supporting their wellbeing, confidence and future prospects. Our work focuses on helping young people feel safe, heard and valued, develop good mental health, build skills for life and learning, and have real influence over the things that matter to them. We build consistent, supportive relationships with young people and use high quality youth work to help them develop skills, confidence and positive next steps.
At MAP, we work for social justice. We are an inclusive workplace, welcoming everybody to bring their authentic whole selves to work every day. Upholding equality at MAP is not only about eliminating discrimination; it is about actively recognising and valuing difference, making the most of everyone’s potential.
The Role
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37 hours per week, being able to work flexibly where required which will include evenings, occasional weekends/residentials. Flexible working options available: part time applications will be considered on a job-share basis or stand alone with sufficient hours for the role to be covered. If applying on a part-time or job-share basis please state the hours you require to work.
Location: Norwich will be your main base of work. There will be a requirement for you to be able to travel to locations other than your main base on a regular basis, depending on service requirements.
Salary: Starting salary £37,607 per annum with incremental progression based on performance to £40,290 per annum. This role does not meet the requirements for skilled worker visa sponsorship under the UK immigration rules.
Closing date: 9.00 am Monday 16th February 2026
Interview details: Initial online screening interviews will take place on Friday 20th or Monday 23rd February 2026. If successful in this stage, you will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview on Thursday 26th February. This will include a presentation on a topic to be confirmed.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational management across services, within agreed strategic and operational frameworks, to ensure high quality, consistent provision that meets targets, service standards and the needs of young people.
- Drive service quality and continuous improvement, using data, observation, feedback and performance reviews to monitor impact, address underperformance, embed best practice and support the implementation of new initiatives and ways of working.
- Line manage and develop staff, providing coaching and performance management, identifying training and development needs, and supporting a skilled and resilient workforce.
- Lead on operational compliance and risk, ensuring the service operates safely and in line with safeguarding requirements, GDPR, health & safety and organisational policies, and acting as a point of escalation for operational and safeguarding concerns.
- Hold responsibility for performance, data and reporting, ensuring accurate and timely recording, strong data compliance, achievement of KPIs and outcomes, and working with the data team to produce meaningful insights that inform service improvement and decision-making.
- Manage budgets and resources effectively, embedding financial policy compliance, monitoring expenditure, forecasting needs, addressing risks early and escalating financial or operational issues to the Head of Service as appropriate.
About You
You will be a confident, organised and reflective leader with experience managing services or teams supporting young people. You will bring:
- Proven experience in an operational management role, with the ability to coordinate people, plans and delivery across services or locations in a fast paced environment.
- Strong line-management and coaching skills, including performance management and supporting staff wellbeing, development and accountability.
- A clear understanding of safeguarding, risk and compliance, with the confidence to make sound decisions and escalate concerns appropriately.
- Confidence working with data and performance information, using it to monitor quality, improve outcomes and meet funder or commissioner requirements.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach, able to manage resources responsibly, balance competing priorities and adapt to change while keeping young people at the centre of your work.
- A genuine commitment to young person-centred practice and social justice.
How to Apply
For further information and job application form, please go to www.map.uk.net/jobs. Please submit your completed application form to HR@mapyoungpeople.org.uk. In your personal statement, we would particularly like to hear about the following:
- Your leadership and management experience within youth, education or community services, including how you support, challenge and hold staff to account for quality, budgeting, safeguarding, data compliance and professional standards.
- Your approach to safeguarding, risk, and operational decision-making and change, demonstrating how you enable staff to manage complexity, exercise professional judgement, adapt to change, and work confidently within established policies, procedures, and organisational systems.
The successful candidates will receive a range of benefits including:
- Competitive salary or hourly rate
- 30 days holiday increasing to 35 after 5 years’ service (plus bank holidays, pro-rated for part-time)
- Company sick pay.
- Counselling and support through an Employee Assistance Programme
- Excellent on-going training and development opportunities
- Support from an established and reputable team
- Corporate events and activities
- Free tea and coffee
- A range of discounts through Blue Light Card
Youth Work Service Manager in Norwich employer: MAP Youth Charity
Contact Detail:
MAP Youth Charity Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Work Service Manager in Norwich
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research MAP's values and mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn, attend relevant events, or join community groups. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Think about potential questions related to youth work management and safeguarding. Practise your answers and consider how you can demonstrate your leadership skills and commitment to social justice.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the MAP team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Work Service Manager in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through! We want to see your personality and passion for youth work. Share your experiences and what drives you to make a difference in young people's lives.
Tailor Your Personal Statement: Make sure to customise your personal statement to highlight your leadership and management experience specifically in youth, education, or community services. We’re keen to know how you support and challenge your team while ensuring quality and compliance.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your skills in safeguarding, risk management, and operational decision-making. We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to navigate complexities and adapt to change while keeping young people at the heart of their work.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your completed application form via our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive your application and can consider you for this exciting role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at MAP Youth Charity
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand MAP's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to youth work and social justice. This will help you connect your experience to their goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or services in the past. Highlight your coaching and performance management skills, as well as how you've supported staff wellbeing and development.
✨Be Data-Savvy
Since the role involves working with data and performance information, be ready to discuss how you've used data to improve service quality and meet targets. Bring specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills.
✨Prepare for the Presentation
You'll need to give a presentation during the face-to-face interview. Practice speaking clearly and confidently about a relevant topic. Make sure to engage your audience and convey your passion for youth work.