Autism AIM Service Manager

Leeds City Council; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Leeds is seeking an Autism AIM Service Manager to lead and manage the team, ensuring services are co-produced with autistic individuals. You will oversee project delivery, build partnerships, and manage budgets, contributing strategically within a senior leadership role. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in service management, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to advocacy and inclusion principles. This role offers a supportive environment with flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Access to cashback health plans

Employee Support scheme

Welcoming and inclusive environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience of managing services, projects, and teams.
• Experience of working in partnership with service users and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of autism, co-production, and inclusive service design.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Autism AIM service, staff team, and volunteers.
• Develop and deliver the annual AIM Service Delivery Plan.
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to service development.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Advocacy principles

Job description

Overview

The Autism AIM Service Manager is a senior leadership role within The Advonet Group and a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). You will lead the Autism AIM service, ensuring it continues to be co‑produced with autistic people and delivers high‑quality, impactful support. Autism AIM supports autistic adults who may otherwise fall through gaps in services. The service reaches over 1,000 autistic people each year and is recognised nationally. You will be expected to:

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Autism AIM service, staff team, and volunteers
• Chair and work closely with the AIM Steering Group to ensure autistic voices drive service development
• Develop and deliver the annual AIM Service Delivery Plan in line with Advonet's Business Plan
• Oversee projects, budgets, contracts, and reporting to funders
• Ensure high standards of quality, safeguarding, data protection, and compliance
• Build and maintain partnerships to improve access, influence services, and promote AIM's impact
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to service development and innovation
• Contribute strategically as a member of Advonet's Senior Leadership Team

Working Arrangements

Working arrangements include at least one day per week in the office, fortnightly attendance at the Chapeltown hub (4.00pm‑7.30pm), and occasional evening or weekend meetings.

Benefits

• Access to a cashback health plans and Employee Support scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment

Qualifications

• Significant experience of managing services, projects, and teams
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to empower and support staff and volunteers
• Experience of working in partnership with service users and stakeholders
• Knowledge of autism, co‑production, and inclusive service design
• Experience of managing budgets, funding, and reporting requirements
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem‑solving skills
• A strong commitment to advocacy principles, equality, diversity, and inclusion

Company

Established in 1998, The Advonet Group is an independent advocacy charity based in Leeds. The Advonet Group is comprised of statutory and non‑statutory advocacy services and specialist inclusion services (Asking You!, CHANGE and Leeds Autism Aim). All our services support individuals to have their voices heard and their rights upheld. We are united in our commitment to uphold the nationally recognised advocacy principles and have a diverse staff team of 80 people working within the organisation. We are a disability confident and Mindful Employer with Investors in People and Volunteers and have achieved the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark. The Advonet Group values and respects the diversity of backgrounds, experiences and knowledge that staff, volunteers and job applicants bring. All our staff undertake mandatory training on both Equality and Diversity and LGBTQ+ Awareness to increase awareness and understanding of discrimination both in and out of the workplace, with a view to reduce the impact this has on our colleagues and the wider community. This creates a workplace where staff feel comfortable to be themselves and empowers them, and our service users, to use their unique experiences to inform their work.