Service Manager, Oxford (FTA)

Response Organisation; Oxford; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37 days annual leave

Fully funded professional development

Qualification sponsorship

Blue Light Card discounts

Free counselling and wellbeing support

Cycle to Work Scheme

Enhanced family-friendly policies

£500 Refer-a-Friend bonus

Health Cash Plan

NHS-approved wellbeing app

Free DBS and annual flu vaccination

Job summary

Response Organisation is seeking a dynamic Service Manager (Fixed Term Maternity Cover) to lead one of our adult mental health services in Oxford. The role oversees multiple supported living services, drives performance and ensures high standards of care, safeguarding and compliance, while developing leaders and partnerships with local authorities and health professionals.

You will manage occupancy, quality improvements and data-driven outcomes, with on-call duties and a 37-hour week, Monday to

Qualifications

• Experience managing supported living, housing, mental health or adult social care services.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing teams.
• A Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, compliance and quality standards.
• Experience working with people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence making decisions, solving problems and driving change.
• A genuine passion for delivering outstanding services.

Responsibilities

• Leading and inspiring Team Managers across multiple supported living services.
• Driving exceptional standards of care, quality, compliance and performance.
• Creating a culture where people feel motivated, supported and empowered to succeed.
• Championing person-centred, recovery-focused support that promotes choice, dignity and independence.
• Building strong relationships with local authorities, healthcare professionals and community partners.
• Maximising occupancy levels and supporting sustainable service growth.
• Monitoring performance, identifying opportunities and delivering continuous improvement.
• Leading safeguarding, incident and complaint investigations with confidence and professionalism.
• Overseeing audits, quality assurance processes and regulatory compliance.
• Coaching, mentoring and developing future leaders within your teams.
• Using data, insight and performance measures to drive better outcomes for residents.
• Providing leadership support through our on-call management rota.

Skills

Team leadership

People management

Communication

Decision making

Problem solving

Emotional intelligence

Education

Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care (or equivalent)

Tools

Inform

Job description

Lead People. Drive Excellence. Change Lives.

Service Manager (FTA)

Morrell Crescent, Littlemore, Oxford
£39,312 - £44,226 per year (Depending on experience)
Fixed Term Maternity Cover (up to 1 year) Full Time - 37 hours, Monday - Friday | Includes Participation in an On-Call Rota

At Response, we don't just provide support. We help people rebuild confidence, regain independence, and create brighter futures.

We're looking for a dynamic, passionate and inspiring Service Manager to lead one of our adult mental health services, develop high-performing teams, and drive outstanding outcomes for the people we support.

If you're a confident leader who thrives on making things happen, developing people, and delivering exceptional services, this could be your next career-defining move.

This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to shape services, influence positive change, and make a lasting difference to the lives of vulnerable adults every day.

Why This Role Matters

Great services don't happen by chance. They happen because of great leaders.

As a Service Manager, you'll be at the heart of everything we do. You'll lead teams that empower people living with mental health challenges to live fulfilling, independent lives while ensuring our services remain safe, effective and innovative.

From mentoring managers and driving service performance to building partnerships across local communities, your leadership will directly shape the quality of life of the people we support.

This is your opportunity to influence, inspire and make a lasting impact.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll be:

• Leading and inspiring Team Managers across multiple supported living services
• Driving exceptional standards of care, quality, compliance and performance
• Creating a culture where people feel motivated, supported and empowered to succeed
• Championing person-centred, recovery-focused support that promotes choice, dignity and independence
• Building strong relationships with local authorities, healthcare professionals and community partners
• Maximising occupancy levels and supporting sustainable service growth
• Monitoring performance, identifying opportunities and delivering continuous improvement
• Leading safeguarding, incident and complaint investigations with confidence and professionalism
• Overseeing audits, quality assurance processes and regulatory compliance
• Coaching, mentoring and developing future leaders within your teams
• Using data, insight and performance measures to drive better outcomes for residents
• Providing leadership support through our on-call management rota

What You’ll Bring

We're looking for someone who combines compassion with commercial awareness and leadership with accountability.

You’ll ideally have:

• Experience managing supported living, housing, mental health or adult social care services
• Experience leading, motivating and developing teams
• A Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, compliance and quality standards
• Experience working with people experiencing mental health challenges
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills
• Confidence making decisions, solving problems and driving change
• A genuine passion for delivering outstanding services

Even Better If You Have

• Level 5 Diploma in Leader in Adult Care
• Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, CBT or other recovery-focused approaches
• Experience within the charity or voluntary sector
• Knowledge of systems such as Inform

What's In It For You?

• 37 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Fully funded professional development and training
• Qualification sponsorship
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Free counselling and wellbeing support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• £500 Refer-a-Friend bonus
• Health Cash Plan
• NHS-approved wellbeing app
• Free DBS and annual flu vaccination

We're Looking For Someone Who Is...

• Ambitious for the people they support
• A visible and inspiring leader
• Calm under pressure and confident in decision-making
• Emotionally intelligent and solution-focused
• Passionate about quality and continuous improvement
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting wellbeing
• Driven by making a genuine difference every day

Join a Team That Changes Lives

Every service has a story.

Every resident has a goal.

Every team needs a leader who believes they can achieve more.

As a Service Manager at Response, you'll have the opportunity to shape services, develop people, and help some of the most vulnerable members of our communities take positive steps towards recovery and independence.

If you're ready to lead with purpose, inspire excellence and transform lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Our employees and clients come from all over the world. We proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture and are registered as a Disability Confident Employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our clients. All roles require an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and the right to work in the UK.