At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Shelter's Community Services in tackling the housing emergency and empowering local communities.
- Company: Join Shelter, a passionate organisation fighting for the right to a safe home.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, family-friendly policies, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to combating social injustice and promoting inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while advocating for social justice and change.
- Qualifications: Experience in homelessness, service delivery, and strong leadership skills are essential.
Location: Bournemouth
Salary: Grade 7 - £50,474 per annum
Contract: Fixed term for 12 months
Hours: Full time - 35 hours per week
Closing date: Sunday 21st June 2026 at 11.30 pm
Are you an influential, analytical and ambitious individual with excellent leadership skills and a proven record of working in homelessness or social justice? Do you have experience of service delivery and project planning, budget setting and management, and stakeholder engagement? If so, consider moving to Shelter as our new Strategic Lead for Dorset and you could soon be making a real difference to people affected by the housing emergency.
About the role
You will be the local leader for Shelter’s Community Services, leading the team in implementing Shelter’s strategy locally, delivering the local response to the housing emergency and empowering the local community in Dorset to fight for home. You will take the lead on the delivery of services and contracts to provide consistently high levels of performance, planning and delivering service development strategies, including seeking business development opportunities that align with our strategic aims, both across Community Services and in partnership with the Lead Solicitor. Also, you will promote and direct systems change activity, so we better understand what is influencing people’s experience of homelessness and bad housing and have effective plans to influence change. You will act as an ambassador for Shelter in the local area, representing the organisation through media, networks and local stakeholder engagement. Alongside this, you will plan and implement resourcing plans for your Hub, including staffing, volunteers and engaging people with lived experience and will manage the Hub Leadership team. Ensuring there are multiple and ongoing opportunities for people with lived experience of homelessness and bad housing to be part of Hub development, activities and learning is a key element of this role, as well as upholding and promoting a learning culture with the Hub.
About you
You will have a proven working knowledge of homelessness, housing and related issues affecting local communities. You have sound experience of managing and delivering contracts, partnerships and services along with experience of being involved in implementing and reviewing change management, whilst demonstrating excellent budgeting and financial reporting skills. The ability to proactively develop and maintain key relationships and having impressive analytical skills to use insight and evidence to present data, manage performance and to identify and implement systems change are vital to this role, as are impressive interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
About the team
Our team in Dorset has been providing housing advice and support services within the area for over 20 years. We have office bases in Bournemouth and Weymouth as well as working in community venues and partner organisation sites. We deliver a wide range of housing rights, legal services, community and support work and advocate for change to fix the broken housing system.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency. We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything. We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
How to apply
Please submit a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points 1 -5, highlighted in bold and outlined in the job description, of no more than 1000 words total. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses: We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset.
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Strategic Lead in Bournemouth employer: Shelter
Shelter is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family-friendly policies, and opportunities for community engagement, working in Bournemouth allows you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by the housing emergency while being part of a dedicated team committed to social justice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Lead in Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the housing and social justice sectors. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Shelter’s mission and values. Understand the challenges in the housing sector and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you articulate your passion and show that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Use the STAR method to prepare examples from your past experiences that highlight your leadership, analytical skills, and ability to drive change. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your fit for the Strategic Lead role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Shelter and making a real impact in the community. So, get your application in before the deadline!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Lead in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly:Before you dive into your application, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, and it’ll help you tailor your responses to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Use the STAR Method:When answering the 'About You' points, remember to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This helps us see your thought process and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past. Plus, it keeps your examples clear and concise!
Show Your Passion for Social Justice:We want to see your enthusiasm for tackling homelessness and social justice issues. Make sure your application reflects your commitment to these causes and how you can contribute to our mission at Shelter.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and gives you a chance to explore more about us while you’re at it.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shelter
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Shelter's mission and values. Understand their approach to homelessness and social justice, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect your background to the role.
✨STAR Method is Your Best Friend
When answering questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you provide clear, concise examples of your past experiences, especially in service delivery and stakeholder engagement, which are crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Strategic Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your analytical skills and how they contributed to positive outcomes.
✨Engage with Lived Experience
Since the role involves working closely with individuals who have experienced homelessness, be prepared to discuss how you would engage with and empower these voices. Share any relevant experiences you have that illustrate your commitment to inclusivity and understanding diverse perspectives.
