At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Smokefree Island programme to empower communities and improve health outcomes.
- Company: Join Thrive Tribe, a vibrant organisation dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 23+ days holiday, and tailored wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a fun, supportive culture with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in service delivery and team management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 25200 - 25200 £ per year.
Join us on our journey to empower over a million people to change their behaviours and thrive! Thrive Tribe delivers award‑winning healthy lifestyle and wellbeing programmes that make people happier and healthier! We’re looking for a Head of Service to join our Smokefree Island service. You will be responsible for ensuring Thrive Tribe’s Smokefree Island programme delivers measurable health outcomes for local communities. By leading high‑performing teams, strengthening commissioner relationships, and driving operational excellence, you will play a critical part in improving population health and securing the long‑term success of our regional services.
Smokefree Island is a part of 4 public health contracts across the region which employs a wider multidisciplinary workforce delivering services in communities across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire. The contracts include services to help residents to stop smoking, lose weight and get active, covering a population of over 1.5 million people and a budget of over £4 million.
Role Description
As a senior operational leader, you will be accountable for Smokefree Island’s performance, ensuring services deliver strong outcomes, meet contractual KPIs, and provide an outstanding experience for both service users and staff. You will play a key role in strengthening relationships with commissioners and partners, driving service innovation, and creating the conditions for sustainable contract growth and retention. Like all roles at Thrive Tribe, you can expect your time at work to be fun, varied and challenging.
The core responsibilities for this position include:
- Leading Smokefree Island to maintain the ethos and success of Thrive Tribe, building strong relationships with teams, commissioners, stakeholders, and partners in line with our values.
- Creating a high‑performing and positive employee experience for your teams, ensuring Thrive Tribe remains a supportive, engaging, and developmental place to work.
- Providing strategic leadership across the contract to ensure delivery of contractual KPIs while driving quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Developing the capability of your leadership team to deliver outstanding operational leadership and building a strong succession pipeline to support future growth.
- Implementing Thrive Tribe’s full portfolio of digital, remote, and face‑to‑face services to ensure programmes remain responsive to client and community needs.
- Delivering service financial performance, including P&L (profit and loss) accountability and effective budget management across services.
- Supporting the mobilisation of new contracts within your region to ensure services launch successfully and at pace.
- Working with Business Development colleagues to shape service design, pricing, and the development of competitive national and regional tenders.
- Collaborating with other Service Leads to ensure a consistent, joined‑up approach across regions and service areas.
- Representing Thrive Tribe at Public Health strategic groups and wider health system forums across the region.
- Working with colleagues across all of our Thrive Tribe services to contribute to new projects and service developments.
- Ensuring due consideration is given to our Safeguarding, Information Governance and Clinical Governance policies and procedures.
- Helping us maintain the ethos of Thrive Tribe by driving our organisational culture forward across our services and using every opportunity to embed our values!
Reporting Structure
Associate Director of Operations (Hampshire & Isle of Wight)
Direct reports: 3
About You
We are looking for someone with experience leading the delivery of public or private sector services, managing teams, and overseeing budgets. Building strong, lasting relationships with commissioners and stakeholders is also key to success in this role. We are seeking a natural leader who can develop people and drive performance. However, we hire based on attitude over traditional skills and experience, so if you feel you are right for the job we would love to hear from you!
More than anything, we are looking for a team player who puts their heart into their work. We’ve got some core values that run through everything we do, and we’d love it if they resonate with you too!
- Be the change - You like helping people. Your work will impact on those who need help the most, empowering people to make positive changes to thrive.
- Be effective - You’re patient and can adapt under pressure. Always happy to make time for other people. And have a great attitude.
- Be happy - You recognise the power of a smile. You value a fun, supportive workplace and want to come to work raring to go.
- Be successful - You are motivated and driven. Happy working solo or as part of a team, you love meeting targets. And will be given opportunities to contribute and develop your career.
- Be big‑hearted - You want to make a difference. Working with a like‑minded team of optimistic people, we want the same thing to do meaningful work and change lives.
Perks
- Regular team events and activities, including ThriveFest and our annual Challenge Weekend.
- Flexible working – we’re serious about life/work balance.
- Tailored health and wellbeing support such as access to life coaching.
- Rewards portal offering discounts on shops, restaurants, and days out.
- Enhanced parental leave.
- 23 days holiday, increasing every year up to a maximum of 29 days (plus Bank Holidays!).
- A day on us to live by our values!
Contract: Permanent, 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours/week)
Salary: £25,200 per annum
Closing Date: Friday 31st July 2026 at 17.00pm.
Location: Isle of Wight
Please note, the successful applicant will be required to have the right to work in the UK.
We believe that every person has the right to thrive at work, which is why we are committed to equal employment opportunity and will not discriminate. Should you require any specific accommodations in the recruitment process please let us know in your application.
Head of Service - Smokefree Island in Sandown employer: Thrive Tribe
Thrive Tribe is an exceptional employer that prioritises community health and well-being, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact underserved populations. With flexible working arrangements, a focus on employee growth, and the opportunity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, this role in Hampshire provides a meaningful and rewarding career path for those passionate about making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Smokefree Island in Sandown
✨Get Involved with Local Health Initiatives
Join local community health events or volunteer for organisations like public health agencies. This not only builds your experience but also helps you network with industry professionals who might know of openings at places like Thrive Tribe.
✨Tap into Professional Associations
Check out associations like the Institute of Healthcare Management. They often have job boards, networking events, and conferences that are perfect for connecting with potential employers in health sciences administration.
✨Stay Updated with Industry Trends
Follow health policy news and trends—being knowledgeable about the current landscape will not only help you in interviews but also make you stand out as a candidate. You can discuss recent developments and their implications when chatting with folks at Thrive Tribe.
✨Apply Through Our Website for Better Visibility
When you find roles that excite you, especially at places like Thrive Tribe, don’t forget to apply through our website. This can sometimes give you an edge by showing the employer you’re savvy and committed to finding the right fit.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Smokefree Island in Sandown
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in health sciences administration, it's super important to spotlight any relevant experience you have in healthcare settings. Whether you've worked in a hospital, a clinic, or any related environment, make sure to detail those roles in your CV – focusing on your responsibilities and achievements that align with the job at Thrive Tribe.
Showcase Your Administrative Skills:Administrative skills are key in this field, so don’t hold back! Make sure your CV reflects your proficiency in things like scheduling, data management, and compliance with health regulations. Mention specific software you’ve used, such as patient management systems, as this will demonstrate your hands-on abilities and readiness for the role at Thrive Tribe.
Craft a Meaningful Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect your passion for the health sciences field and your eagerness to contribute to Thrive Tribe. Share a bit about why you’re drawn to this sector, any impactful situations or challenges you’ve encountered, and how they’ve shaped your desire to work in health sciences administration. This personal touch can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Documents to the Job:Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach! Make sure your CV and cover letter are specifically tailored for this role. Highlight any certifications you have relevant to health administration, and ensure you clearly connect your previous roles to the skills needed for the full-time position at Thrive Tribe. This way, you're showing them you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in being a part of their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thrive Tribe
✨Showcase Your Administrative Skills
In health sciences administration, being organised is key. Make sure you can demonstrate your skills in managing schedules, paperwork, and data accurately. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, like electronic health record systems or scheduling software, and how they improved efficiency in your past experiences.
✨Know Your Regulations
Familiarity with healthcare regulations and compliance is crucial. Brush up on HIPAA, GDPR, or other relevant policies before your interview. We recommend preparing examples of how you've ensured compliance or handled sensitive information in past roles—this will show you're not just knowledgeable but also responsible.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Interviews for administrative roles often involve scenario-based questions to assess your problem-solving skills. Practice responses to common situations you might face, such as dealing with a challenging patient or managing a sudden schedule change. This will not only demonstrate your ability to think on your feet but also highlight your interpersonal skills.
✨Align Your Goals with the Organisation
As a full-time candidate, employers will want to know how your long-term career goals align with their mission. Take some time to research Thrive Tribe’s values and be ready to tie your passion for health sciences administration into their objectives. Demonstrating enthusiasm and career alignment can be a game-changer in this competitive field!
