At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate youth services, ensuring young people have a voice and access to opportunities.
- Company: Join Southwark Council, committed to equality and community empowerment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days leave, a competitive pension, and support for your professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant impact on youth and play services across Southwark.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while shaping community services.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth services, leadership, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 59526 - 74040 £ per year.
In Southwark, we’re proud to be a borough that’s ambitious for its people and its place — and determined to tackle inequality and injustice. That commitment shapes how we work, how we lead, and how we serve our communities.
Our Youth and Play Service is central to that ambition. It includes three youth centres and three adventure playgrounds, a large and diverse commissioning programme, and Southwark’s key youth voice structures — including the Youth Parliament and our borough-wide Youth Digital Hub — so young people can shape decisions and access positive opportunities.
Southwark isn’t standing still. We continue to invest in young people and the buildings that support them, with capital investment in youth centres and adventure playgrounds alongside strong commissioning and partnership work. For leaders in the sector, this is a chance to shape high‑profile community assets and see your ideas translated into real, felt improvements for young people and communities.
This is a role for someone who believes that every young person should feel they belong, be safe, be heard, and have access to positive activities and opportunities — and who wants to lead the systems, partnerships and services that make that real at scale. You’ll be joining a council that values openness, accountability and fairness, and that expects its leaders to help make Southwark more equal and just.
What You'll Be Doing
The Youth and Play Service Manager is a senior, borough-shaping leadership role. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering Youth and Play Services across Southwark, aligning them with corporate priorities and driving continuous improvement.
This is a strategic, outward-facing post. You’ll work with key partners across the council and beyond to embed learning from the London Youth Transformation pilot into service improvements — strengthening commissioning, quality assurance and impact, and building young people’s voice into design and decision-making. You’ll lead service planning and redesign and coordinate youth and play programmes so delivery is joined up and effective.
You’ll be accountable for the safe, smooth day-to-day running of our direct youth provision, alongside commissioning and grant programmes, procurement activity, and significant capital investment programmes for youth and play buildings. You’ll oversee a portfolio of council‑owned assets, manage complex risks, and secure external funding opportunities. You’ll also provide professional advice to senior officers and elected members and deputise for the Head of Culture when required.
In this role, you will:
- Set the direction for Youth and Play and lead service improvement, including business planning, service reviews and change programmes that strengthen quality, consistency and outcomes.
- Align in‑house delivery, commissioned provision and cross‑council activity, building strong partnerships (schools, VCSE, health/public health and others) to deliver a joined‑up offer.
- Champion youth voice and co‑production, embedding young people’s lived experience in service design, delivery and wider council decision‑making.
- Ensure the day‑to‑day operation of our directly delivered youth centres and adventure playgrounds is safe, well‑run and compliant, with strong safeguarding, health & safety and risk management.
- Lead youth and play commissioning, grants and procurement, with robust performance, outcomes and contract management to assure quality, value for money and impact.
- Deliver and de‑risk capital investment programmes for youth centres and adventure playgrounds, ensuring buildings are safe, welcoming, fit for purpose and future‑ready.
- Source and secure external funding and income opportunities to support sustainability and growth of the youth and play offer.
- Provide clear, confident professional advice to senior officers and elected members on youth and play matters.
- Lead, support and develop your senior management team, creating a positive, inclusive and high‑performing culture.
What We're Looking For
We’re looking for a strategic, values‑led leader who combines strong system leadership with a deep understanding of what great youth and play services look like on the ground.
You will bring:
- Degree‑level qualification or equivalent through relevant experience, alongside continued professional and leadership development.
- In‑depth knowledge of youth and play services, including current challenges, risks and opportunities, and experience of service redesign and innovation.
- Senior management experience within a large or complex organisation, with responsibility for staff leadership and substantial budgets.
- A strong track record of leading complex programmes and change in a political or partnership environment.
- Experience of commissioning, procurement and contract management, with the confidence to work with a wide range of providers.
- Sound financial management skills, including oversight of revenue budgets of £1m+ and capital programmes.
- Proven ability to build trusting, productive relationships and influence senior stakeholders across sectors.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including elected members.
- A leadership style that is inclusive, organised and resilient, able to manage competing priorities and uncertainty.
- A strong commitment to equity, inclusion and ensuring that no young person is left behind.
Benefits
There are shift enhancements for out of hours and weekend working associated with this post. Benefits include 29 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays, competitive pension scheme and excellent support for learning and development.
Reports to: Head of Culture.
Leads: Youth and Play Inclusion & Commissioning Manager and Youth and Play Operations Manager (2 direct reports).
Service scope: Youth (11–19; up to 25 with SEN), adventure playgrounds, youth centres, Youth Parliament, Youth Digital Hub, commissioning and grants, cross‑council youth programmes.
Accountability: Safe, smooth day‑to‑day delivery of direct youth provision; service leadership and improvement; partnership and system leadership; commissioning, procurement and performance/contract management; capital investment and risk across youth and play assets; external funding and financial oversight; senior advice to members and officers; deputising for Head of Culture.
Youth and Play Service Manager in London employer: Southwark Council
Southwark Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment, where leaders are empowered to make a tangible impact on the lives of young people. With a strong commitment to professional development, competitive benefits including 29 days of annual leave, and a focus on equity and community engagement, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape youth services in a vibrant London borough. Join us in our mission to create a more equal and just society for all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth and Play Service Manager in London
✨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 Southwark Council.
✨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 Southwark Council.
✨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 Southwark Council.
✨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 Southwark Council. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Youth and Play Service Manager in London
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 Southwark Council. 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 Youth and Play Service Manager, 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 Southwark Council
✨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 Southwark Council. 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!
