Director â Communities & Neighbourhoods

Charity People; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization is seeking a strategic leader as Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods. The role involves driving impact, improving sustainability, and leading a passionate team. With responsibilities spanning community engagement and partnerships, this position is central to fostering innovation and service delivery in Greater Manchester. Candidates should have experience in relevant sectors and a collaborative coaching style. The position offers a hybrid working model and generous holiday benefits.

Benefits

25 days holiday (rising to 31 with service)

4% employer pension contribution

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of GM and national policy agendas relevant to funding streams.
• Strong track-record building partnerships that deliver on purpose and income.
• Understanding of community-led approaches linking to climate and environment.
• Collaborative coaching style that empowers team members.
• Real passion for place-based working and amplifying community voices.
• Desirable: Experience in voluntary, public, or environmental sectors.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategy, service innovation, and drive income growth.
• Lead an ambitious team delivering services with measurable impact.
• Support workforce development and cross-organisational leadership.

Skills

Fundraising

Management Experience

Coaching

Analysis Skills

Strategic Planning

Team Management

Budgeting

Leadership Experience

Mentoring

Public Speaking

Negotiation

Supervising Experience

Job description

Job Description

Are you a visionary community leader with a passion for people place and planet

Groundwork Greater Manchester is looking for a values-driven strategic leader to head up its Communities and Neighbourhoods directorate. You'll join a passionate committed team delivering bold initiatives in community development climate action and nature recovery.

As Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods you'll be at the heart of driving impact innovation and inclusive sustainable growth. This is a special opportunity to join a high-performing Executive Team working for a greener fairer and stronger Greater Manchester. It's a team that looks out for each other and cares deeply about the vibrant diverse communities it serves.

Salary :

Contract : Permanent 36.67 hours FTE (flexible compressed and reduced hours considered)

Location : Hybrid based from either Ashton-under-Lyne or Trafford with flexibility to work from home and travel across Greater Manchester as needed

Benefits : 25 days holiday (rising to 31 with length of service) and 4% employer pension contribution

About the role

It's a pivotal leadership opportunity shaping strategy, service innovation and driving income growth across a 2.5m directorate. As part of the senior team you'll also play a vital role in cross‑organisational leadership supporting workforce development, embedding ED&I and stepping in for the Executive Director when needed.

You’ll lead an ambitious passionate team delivering services that drive real and measurable impact across :

• Community and youth engagement including climate action development and outreach
• Energy & homes tackling fuel poverty and improving sustainability
• Urban nature empowering communities to protect green spaces and biodiversity

About you

You're a natural communicator and connector someone who thrives on forging relationships and sees the bigger picture. With a whole‑systems mindset you bring nuance, insight and the ability to chart a clear path through complexity.

We're looking for a strategic leader with :

• In‑depth knowledge of relevant local GM and national policy agendas that feed into funding streams
• Strong track‑record building partnerships across complex systems that deliver on purpose and income
• Understanding of community‑led approaches and how they connect with climate and environment
• Collaborative coaching style that empowers people to thrive
• Real passion for place‑based working and amplifying community voice

Highly desirable: It would also be a real advantage if you've worked in the voluntary, public or environmental sectors giving you the confidence to navigate the complex stakeholder landscape GGM operates in.

In return you'll be part of an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.

Interested and ticking the boxes? Then we'd love to hear from you.

To apply

Please send your CV or profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step. If your experience aligns well be in touch with details on how to apply.

Deadline : 9am on Wednesday 24th September

Interviews : Will be confirmed soon likely to be mid‑late October.

Charity People is a forward‑thinking inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Required Experience :
Director

Key Skills

• Fundraising
• Management Experience
• Coaching
• Analysis Skills
• Strategic Planning
• Team Management
• Budgeting
• Leadership Experience
• Mentoring
• Public Speaking
• Negotiation
• Supervising Experience

Employment Type : Full‑Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1