Service Manager

Recovery Focus; North East; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 27 days

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Sick pay enhancements

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Blue Light/Charity discounts

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a Service Manager for Saddler House, Bishop Auckland, to lead a County Durham drug and alcohol service. You will provide operational leadership, ensure safe and effective support, and drive quality and contractual performance in a busy environment.

You will develop your team, build strong partnerships with commissioners and stakeholders, and ensure services meet safeguarding and quality standards while remaining flexible to meet service needs.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing and delivering high-quality support services.
• Experience of managing staff and budgets.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• A recognised management qualification or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of the service with high-quality, person-centred support.
• Coach, mentor, recruit, induct and manage performance of the team.
• Ensure assessments, risk management and recovery planning meet individual needs.
• Monitor performance, analyse data and drive improvements to meet targets.
• Manage service budgets and collaborate with Finance on financial performance.

Job description

Service Manager - County Durham Drug and Alcohol Service

Location: Saddler House, Bishop Auckland

Salary: £35,520 will be starting salary – with progression up to £51,060

Contract: Permanent, 37 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (with one 30 min early finish)

Flexibility will be required to meet the needs of the service, which may include occasional late nights and weeks.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the Role

Are you an experienced manager with a passion for supporting people to achieve positive change? Do you have the leadership skills to inspire a team, deliver high-quality services and make a real difference to people’s lives? We are looking for a Service Manager to lead our service at Saddler House in Bishop Auckland. This is an exciting opportunity to shape service delivery, support the development of your team and ensure the people accessing our services receive safe, effective and high-quality support. Working in a busy, fast-paced environment, you will provide operational leadership, oversee service performance and ensure that contractual targets and quality standards are consistently achieved. You will also build strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders, representing Waythrough at meetings and partnership forums. As Service Manager, you will have the opportunity to influence how our services develop, strengthen the support we provide and help your team deliver positive outcomes for the people who access our services.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the service, ensuring high-quality, person-centred support.
• Support and develop your team through coaching, mentoring, recruitment, induction and performance management.
• Ensure effective assessments, risk management, recovery planning and interventions are in place to meet individual needs.
• Monitor service performance, analyse data and drive continuous improvement to achieve key performance and contractual targets.
• Manage service budgets and financial performance, working closely with the Finance Team.
• Develop and implement service business plans in collaboration with senior management.
• Build effective relationships with commissioners, partner organisations and other stakeholders.
• Ensure the service operates in line with relevant legislation, safeguarding requirements, organisational policies and quality standards.
• Promote an inclusive and accessible service that recognises the diverse needs of the people we support.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience of managing and delivering high-quality support services, with a strong focus on outcomes and performance.
• Knowledge and experience of supporting vulnerable people and understanding their needs.
• Experience of managing staff, developing teams and overseeing service delivery.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience of monitoring performance, analysing management information and working towards targets.
• Experience of budget management and financial control.
• The ability to build effective relationships with commissioners, partners and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and relevant service delivery requirements.
• A recognised management qualification, or relevant equivalent experience.
• Experience of substance misuse services.
• A driving licence and access to a vehicle would also be advantageous.

What We Offer

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

Closing Date: 2026-11-11

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.