Centre Manager

We are looking for an experienced leader with key skills in line management, bid-writing and safeguarding, preferably with a qualification in social work. Our ideal candidate will be emotionally resilient, compassionate and empathetic with a proven background in managing people and overseeing service delivery.  You will be responsible for service quality, operational strategies and policies, providing high-level support to a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers and bid writing to secure long term funding for the charity to continue its vital work. 

The charity provides support to vulnerable parents with pre-school aged children living in the borough of Gravesham, supporting up to 85 families at any given time.  Waterside offers 1:1 support, peer group sessions, structured family sessions, access to local agency clinics, counselling services, and courses, 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year.

Reporting to the Chair of Trustees, you will work with the team, trustees and external providers to ensure the delivery of impactful services and cultivation of strong partnerships in order to respond to the local needs of our families. 

The Centre Manager role will be expected to work from the centre the majority of the time as it is important to have a presence with the families and staff. On occasion, when it is required to meet key deadlines, working from home is supported but this is on an ad-hoc basis and not part of a regular working pattern. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and co-ordinate the work of Waterside Parents’ Centre to ensure smooth running of the service. 

• Designated Safeguarding Lead.

• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery and adherence to best practices.

• Lead and support a dedicated team, providing supervision, training, and professional development opportunities.

• Ensure you are visible and approachable to the families we engage with specifically in family sessions. 

• Effective bid writing to secure crucial funding for the charity and completing necessary monitoring and evaluation of funding

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, funders, and commissioners.

• Develop and implement strategic plans that align with the organisation’s goals and values.

• Manage all policies and procedures ensuring that they align with appropriate legislation and regulatory requirements.

• Work with the Finance Officer to ensure accuracy of financial recording and reporting.

Skills and Experience:

Desirable

• Experience in a social work environment.

Required

• Experience of leading services in the charity or social care sector.

• Non judgmental approach ensuring focus is on acceptance and understanding.

• Proven ability to manage diverse funding contracts and reporting requirements.

• Strong team leadership, with a focus on collaboration and staff development.

• Excellent communication and partnership-building skills.

• A commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

What we are offering you:

Waterside is a family-centric employer and we provide our employees with a supportive and engaging environment. 

As well as ongoing development and training, we offer a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working and hybrid working on occasion.  We offer a contributory pension scheme and free on-site parking.

•    Location: Gravesend, predominately centre based
•    Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
•    Contract: Fixed term until August 2027, then funding dependent thereafter

Waterside is committed to safer recruitment and equality of opportunity and diversity.  This role is subject to DBS checks