At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community services to tackle the housing emergency and empower local communities.
- Company: Join Shelter, a passionate organisation fighting for housing rights.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, family-friendly policies, and more.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to combating social injustice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and advocate for social justice.
- Qualifications: Experience in homelessness, service delivery, and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50474 - 50474 £ per year.
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 28th 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.
Recruitment Agencies
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Children & Young People Transformation Lead 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 passionate team dedicated to social justice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children & Young People Transformation Lead
✨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 Shelter.
✨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 Shelter.
✨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 Shelter.
✨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 Shelter. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Children & Young People Transformation Lead
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 Shelter. 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 Children & Young People Transformation Lead, 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 Shelter
✨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 Shelter. 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!
