Operational Manager

South West Community Chaplaincy; Brighton; Remote; GBP 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Community Chaplaincy in Brighton is seeking an Operational Manager to lead a supported housing service for people experiencing homelessness and complex support needs. You will manage a dedicated staff team, ensure high-quality, person-centred support in a psychologically informed environment, and oversee safeguarding, risk, health and safety, and housing management.

As the service nears its contract end, you will contribute to the demobilisation plan, work with partners to support

Qualifications

• Experience leading housing or support services for vulnerable people with high/complex needs.
• Strong safeguarding, risk management and health & safety knowledge.
• Excellent communication and people-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the staff team with supervision, performance and wellbeing.
• Ensure residents receive effective, reviewed support plans and personalised care.
• Embed trauma-informed approaches across the service and manage safeguarding and crisis response.
• Oversee referrals, housing management, voids, arrears and licence agreements.
• Monitor outcomes, quality standards and contractual performance.
• Develop relationships with commissioners, local authorities and partner agencies.
• Participate in an out-of-hours on-call rota and maintain weekend presence on site.

Job description

Operational Manager – Supported Housing

We are seeking an experienced Operational Manager to lead a supported housing service for people experiencing homelessness and complex support needs.

Position: Operational Manager
Location: Brighton
Salary: £38,827 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with some weekend management presence on site, agreed with the Senior Manager
Contract: Fixed term to 30 June 2027
Closing date: CV to be reviewed on a rolling basis

About the role

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced homelessness, supported housing or complex needs professional to lead the safe and effective delivery of a residential support service in Brighton.

You will manage and support a dedicated staff team, ensuring residents receive high-quality, person-centred support within a psychologically and trauma-informed environment. You will have responsibility for safeguarding, health and safety, risk management and housing management, while building effective relationships with commissioners, statutory services and community partners.

As the service is due to close at the end of the contract period, you will also play a key role in its planned demobilisation, working closely with partners to ensure residents are supported to move on safely and appropriately.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, managing and developing the staff team, including supervision, performance, training and wellbeing.
• Ensuring residents receive effective support, advice, assessment and regularly reviewed support plans.
• Embedding psychologically and trauma-informed approaches across the service.
• Managing safeguarding, risk, health and safety and crisis response.
• Overseeing referrals, housing management, voids, arrears and licence agreements.
• Monitoring outcomes, quality standards and contractual performance.
• Developing strong relationships with commissioners, local authorities and partner agencies.

The role includes participation in an out-of-hours on-call rota and providing a management presence on site for one weekend day every four weeks.

About you

You will have experience of managing support services for vulnerable people with high and/or complex needs, ideally gained within homelessness, supported housing, rough sleeping, substance misuse, mental health or a related service.

You will be an experienced people manager with a strong understanding of adult safeguarding, risk management and health and safety. Experience of residential services and knowledge of relevant housing legislation will be valuable.

You will be resilient, approachable and confident, with excellent communication skills and the ability to lead a team through a period of change while maintaining a consistently high-quality service.

About the organisation

You will be joining an established charity providing housing, support and specialist services to people experiencing homelessness, vulnerability and disadvantage.

The organisation is committed to empowering people, delivering excellent services and working collaboratively to create positive and lasting change.

Other roles you may have experience of could include:

Supported Housing Manager, Homelessness Service Manager, Service Manager, Supported Accommodation Manager, Housing Support Manager, Complex Needs Service Manager, Hostel Manager, Residential Services Manager, Homelessness Manager or Operations Manager