Communities Development Manager

Epilepsy Action; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Epilepsy Action is seeking an experienced Communities Development Manager to lead and deliver accessible, inclusive community services for people affected by epilepsy across the UK. You will lead peer support and counselling, strengthen referral pathways and partnerships, and identify new opportunities to extend reach and impact.

You will use insight and service data to reduce barriers to participation, ensuring people access the right support at the right time.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing and developing community-based services or programmes.
• Strong people-management skills, including coaching, performance management and supporting dispersed teams or volunteers.
• Experience of leading service improvements from planning through to implementation and review.
• The ability to use data, insight and feedback to improve quality, reach and impact.
• Experience of developing effective partnerships across voluntary, community, health or social care settings.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and complaints handling.
• Experience of managing budgets and reporting against targets, KPIs or funding requirements.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, organisational and digital skills.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, co-production and improving the lives of people affected by epilepsy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of accessible, inclusive community services for people affected by epilepsy across the UK.
• Lead peer support and counselling services, strengthen referral pathways and community partnerships.
• Identify new opportunities to extend reach and impact.
• Use data and service insights to reduce barriers to participation and ensure timely access to support.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team; support volunteers; oversee service quality and performance.
• Manage budgets and risks; contribute to organisational strategy and safeguarding leadership.
• Deputise for the Director of Services when required; collaborate across teams.
• Support flexible working and in-person collaboration at the Leeds office as needed.

Skills

Community-based services

People management

Service improvement

Data-driven decisions

Partnership development

Safeguarding & risk management

Budget & reporting

Communication & digital skills

Inclusion & co-production

Job description

Epilepsy Action is looking for an experienced and motivated Communities Development Manager to lead the development and delivery of accessible, inclusive community services for people affected by epilepsy across the UK. This is a varied and influential management role. You will lead our peer support and counselling services, strengthen referral pathways and community partnerships, and identify new opportunities to extend our reach and impact. You will use insight, evidence and service data to reduce barriers to participation and ensure people affected by epilepsy can access the right support at the right time. You will manage and develop a high-performing team, support volunteers, oversee service quality and performance, manage budgets and risks, and contribute to the delivery of our organisational strategy. You will also provide safeguarding leadership across the Services department and deputise for the Director of Services when required. At Epilepsy Action we recognise the power of collaboration and teamwork, so our team members with hybrid contracts are required to work a minimum of 40% of their time at our office in Yeadon, Leeds. On average this is 2 days a week on Mondays and Thursdays, for full-time employees. Because regular face-to-face collaboration is an important part of this role, applicants should be based within a reasonable commuting distance of our Yeadon office and be able to attend the office as required. The expectation to collaborate in person is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do, which may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to help us create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.

We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with confident, hands-on operational leadership. You will bring:

• Experience of managing and developing community-based services or programmes.
• Strong people-management skills, including coaching, performance management and supporting dispersed teams or volunteers.
• Experience of leading service improvements from planning through to implementation and review.
• The ability to use data, insight and feedback to improve quality, reach and impact.
• Experience of developing effective partnerships across voluntary, community, health or social care settings.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and complaints handling.
• Experience of managing budgets and reporting against targets, KPIs or funding requirements.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, organisational and digital skills.
• A genuine commitment to inclusion, co-production and improving the lives of people affected by epilepsy.

Experience of working in the charity sector, managing support services or acting as a designated safeguarding lead would be an advantage. Some evening work and travel will be required. Equivalent time off will be provided through our flexible working arrangements.

At Epilepsy Action we are inclusive, ambitious, supportive, and committed to creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy. As we achieve the goals in our 2024 - 2030 strategy we are excited to welcome you to our passionate, supportive and committed team. We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that's why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this. By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the charity. If you are interested in building a career you can be proud of in an inclusive and ambitious organisation we might have the role for you!