Employment/Education Service Manager

Aspire Recruitment; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspire Recruitment is seeking a Service Manager to lead the delivery of the CFO Evolution Activity Hubs across Manchester and Preston. This leadership role requires strong people management skills with experience in prisons or probation services. The Service Manager will oversee high-quality service delivery and ensure participants gain jobs or learning opportunities. A confident communicator with a deep understanding of the justice sector is essential. Access to a vehicle is required for this role.

Qualifications

• Strong people management experience, including work with ex-offenders.
• Proven ability to achieve performance results.
• Confident communicator with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team to meet contract targets.
• Manage service delivery in custody environments.
• Build relationships with employers to meet recruitment needs.

Skills

Effective leadership and staff management

Excellent organisational and financial management skills

Strong communication and networking abilities

Ability to interpret MI and financial information

Commitment to integrity and empowerment values

Job description

We are looking for a Service Manager to lead the delivery of the CFO Evolution Activity Hubs within community settings based across Manchester and Preston. This is a leadership role, overseeing a team of delivery and support staff to ensure high-quality services for participants. Working closely with delivery staff, stakeholders, and employers, you will drive performance, develop strong local partnerships, and support individuals recently released from custody helping them to settle in post-custody life whilst working towards achieving positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of activity hub delivery and support staff to meet contract targets.
• Ensure participants are placed into jobs or learning opportunities and sustained in these outcomes.
• Manage service delivery in custody, working closely with HMPPS staff and other stakeholders.
• Oversee health and safety within custodial environments.
• Build relationships with employers to meet recruitment and training needs.
• Take responsibility for P&L results, including income targets, productivity, and costs.
• Develop local partnerships to ensure a wide range of provision and participant referrals.
• Ensure high-quality, compliant services with robust audit trails.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery, systems, and quality.
• Maintain knowledge of policy, market intelligence, and opportunities.
• Deliver services with integrity, always meeting Health & Safety requirements.

About You

• Strong people management experience, including direct management in prisons, probation service or working with ex-offenders.
• Proven ability to achieve performance results.
• Confident communicator, able to present to prison staff, governors, and stakeholders.
• Skilled at report writing and fluent in ICT use.
• Good understanding of the justice sector, HMPPS, and CFO Evolution programmes.
• Knowledge of people management principles, labour markets, and relevant national/local policies.
• Resilient, results-driven, and able to work under pressure.
• A strong team player with the ability to build partnerships and networks.

Skills Required

• Effective leadership and staff management.
• Excellent organisational and financial management skills.
• Strong communication and networking abilities.
• Ability to interpret MI and financial information to support decision-making.
• Commitment to the values of integrity, empowerment, collaboration, and positive impact.

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and enhanced security clearance. It is a legal offence to apply if you are on the Barred List. You will also be a vehicle driver with access to your own vehicle.