Interim Director of Services

CXK; Ashford; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

CXK is seeking an interim Director of Services to lead its full suite of operational services across the South East during a 14‑month maternity cover. Based in Ashford, Kent, you’ll be a motivating leader promoting momentum, quality delivery and high performance.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you’ll manage contracts and KPIs, drive safeguarding and compliance, mobilise new services and maintain strong relationships with commissioners and partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead CXK’s operations, overseeing the delivery of services across varied geographies and diverse contracts, including employment programs, careers guidance, and targeted youth and adult support.
• Manage Regional and area managers providing clear direction, empowering teams and driving high performance across all services.
• Be the executive lead for CXK’s Performance and Quality Committee, ensuring that services meet high standards and align with the charity’s goals.
• Oversee all service delivery metrics, ensuring that services meet or exceed KPIs set by commissioners and funders.
• Prepare and present quarterly operational scorecards and reports for the Trustee board, demonstrating outcomes, quality, and areas for improvement.
• Implement and maintain CXK’s quality assurance processes, leading initiatives to continually enhance the impact and efficiency of services.
• Take ownership of mobilising new contracts and services, coordinating closely with commissioners and internal teams to ensure smooth implementation and impact.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for innovation within service delivery, encouraging creative approaches to engage beneficiaries and deliver outcomes.
• Work closely with the Director of Business Development and Improvement to support strategic growth and diversification.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with commissioners, local authorities, job centres, subcontractors, and other external partners.
• Act as a visible ambassador for CXK, representing the charity professionally and passionately at external meetings, boards, and events.
• Collaborate with the board, providing strategic updates and insights into operational successes, challenges, and opportunities.
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring all services adhere to safeguarding best practices and health & safety regulations.
• Oversee contract compliance, monitoring risk and maintaining the highest standards of legal, financial, and operational accountability.
• Work with CXK’s finance and compliance teams to manage all contracts effectively, ensuring they meet CXK’s expectations for quality and performance and ensure value for money and financial sustainability across all areas of delivery.
• Lead by example with a hands-on approach, visiting service locations regularly to engage with frontline staff, delivering open, empowering, communication and support.
• Foster a positive, high-energy work environment that values collaboration, professional growth, and a shared commitment to CXK’s mission.
• Engage directly with teams, offering guidance, support, and problem-solving to ensure consistent delivery of high-impact services.

Job description

Are you an inspirational leader with a passion for managing a broad spectrum of high-quality training, mentoring and employability programmes ?? CXK has an exciting professional opportunity for an interim Director of Services to join our exceptional charity for a 14 month period. We are looking for a motivator, an enabler, an individual that will promote momentum and foster achievements during the maternity leave of the current post holder.

We are seeking a special individual with gravitas, passion and professionalism to support CXK’s Board, executive and staff through a really interesting period of change and growth. Is this you ???

For an informal conversation regarding the role please contact our CEO Pauline Smith [e-mail]

Interim Director of Services

(covering maternity leave for 14 months)

Salary: £70,000

Contract: Full time, Temporary (14 month contract)

Location: Ashford, Kent (with regular travel across the South East region)

Reports to: Chief Executive

Job Purpose:

The interim Director of Services will lead CXK’s full suite of operational services to young people and adults across a wide range of diverse contracts, including careers guidance, mentoring, targeted support programs, and employability initiatives. This role is crucial in driving high-quality delivery, managing performance against contract KPIs, and ensuring that all services meet CXK’s standards and deliver real impact for our beneficiaries. You’ll be a visible, passionate leader – engaging and empowering teams, managing relationships with commissioners, and providing strong oversight on quality, safeguarding, and compliance across all service areas.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Leadership of Service Delivery

• Lead CXK’s operations, overseeing the delivery of services across varied geographies and diverse contracts, including employment programs, careers guidance, and targeted youth and adult support.
• Manage Regional and area managers providing clear direction, empowering teams and driving high performance across all services.
• Be the executive lead for CXK’s Performance and Quality Committee, ensuring that services meet high standards and align with the charity’s goals.Management of Service Performance
• Oversee all service delivery metrics, ensuring that services meet or exceed KPIs set by commissioners and funders.
• Prepare and present quarterly operational scorecards and reports for the Trustee board, demonstrating outcomes, quality, and areas for improvement.
• Implement and maintain CXK’s quality assurance processes, leading initiatives to continually enhance the impact and efficiency of services.Mobilisation and Development of New Services
• Take ownership of mobilising new contracts and services, coordinating closely with commissioners and internal teams to ensure smooth implementation and impact.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for innovation within service delivery, encouraging creative approaches to engage beneficiaries and deliver outcomes.
• Work closely with the Director of Business Development and Improvement to support strategic growth and diversification.Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
• Maintain and build strong relationships with commissioners, local authorities, job centres, schools, subcontractors, and other external partners.
• Act as a visible ambassador for CXK, representing the charity professionally and passionately at external meetings, boards, and events.
• Collaborate with the board, providing strategic updates and insights into operational successes, challenges, and opportunities.Safeguarding and Compliance
• Act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring all services adhere to safeguarding best practices and health & safety regulations.
• Oversee contract compliance, monitoring risk and maintaining the highest standards of legal, financial, and operational accountability.
• Work with CXK’s finance and compliance teams to manage all contracts effectively, ensuring they meet CXK’s expectations for quality and performance and ensure value for money and financial sustainability across all areas of delivery.Visible, Engaged Leadership
• Lead by example with a hands-on approach, visiting service locations regularly to engage with frontline staff, delivering open, empowering, communication and support.
• Foster a positive, high-energy work environment that values collaboration, professional growth, and a shared commitment to CXK’s mission.
• Engage directly with teams, offering guidance, support, and problem-solving to ensure consistent delivery of high-impact services.

This role is for a proven leader ready to drive impactful, high-quality service delivery in a fast‑paced, purpose‑driven environment. If you’re ready to bring energy, expertise, and a commitment to strong, supportive interim management we’d love to hear from you.

All appointees will be subject to basic DBS Check.

Closing date: 9am, Monday 12th October 2026

Interviews: 9am, Monday 19th October 2026