At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop frontline services supporting women and children in need.
- Company: Established charity in Nottingham with a strong commitment to community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in strategic decision-making.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and drive impactful change in the charity sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership roles within charity or care sectors, especially with vulnerable groups.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
SF Recruitment are working with an established Nottingham-based charity to recruit a Head of Service to join their Senior Leadership Team. This is a key operational leadership role, responsible for overseeing the delivery and development of specialist frontline services supporting women and children. Reporting into the Director of Operations, you'll lead four Team Managers and have overall responsibility for service performance, quality, people management and contract delivery.
The role:
- You'll work closely with the Director of Operations and wider Senior Leadership Team to ensure services are delivered to a consistently high standard, meet contractual requirements and continue to develop in response to the needs of service users.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading, supporting and developing Team Managers across multiple service areas
- Overseeing the performance and quality of frontline services
- Ensuring services meet contractual requirements, agreed outcomes and quality standards
- Supporting managers with complex cases, safeguarding and risk
- Developing and implementing service delivery plans
- Monitoring performance data and identifying opportunities for service improvement
- Building strong relationships with commissioners, statutory bodies and voluntary/community organisations
- Ensuring effective partnership working across referral and care pathways
- Supporting organisational strategy as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Overseeing recruitment, induction, supervision, appraisal and development across the teams
- Supporting budget management and financial monitoring
- Ensuring high standards of safeguarding, governance, data protection and compliance
- Contributing to tenders, funding bids and wider organisational development
About you
We're looking for an experienced service leader who is comfortable managing through other managers while retaining oversight of complex frontline services. You’ll ideally have:
- Significant management and leadership experience within the charity, care, support or a similar sector
- Experience supporting services for women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse
- Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience of managing complex or crisis situations
- Experience managing and developing teams and supporting managers
- Experience overseeing multiple services/projects and ensuring contract compliance
- Strong knowledge of quality assurance, service improvement and performance monitoring
- Experience working with commissioners and external partners
- Budget and financial monitoring experience
- Confidence operating at senior leadership level
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and report-writing skills
- An understanding of trauma-informed service delivery
- A collaborative, inclusive and non-judgemental approach to leadership
This would suit someone currently working as a Head of Service, Service Manager, Senior Service Manager, Operations Manager or similar within a charity or specialist support environment who is ready to take on a broad senior leadership position. The role will involve occasional evening/weekend working and participation in an on-call rota. A full UK driving licence and access to a car are required, and the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Head of Service employer: SF Partners
SF Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial work culture that prioritises employee development and impact. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to investing in its people, this Private Equity backed business provides unique opportunities for career advancement, particularly for finance professionals looking to transition into leadership roles. The hybrid working model further enhances work-life balance, making it an attractive place for talented individuals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service
✨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 SF Partners.
✨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 SF Partners.
✨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 SF Partners.
✨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 SF Partners. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service
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 SF Partners. 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 Head of Service, 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 SF Partners
✨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 SF Partners. 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!
