Service Manager & Service Development & Support

inploi; Rochdale; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Rochdale is seeking a Service Manager for Service Development & Support. In this role, you will lead and innovate support services for children’s welfare while being part of the senior management team. Key responsibilities include project leadership, strategic support, and stakeholder collaboration to enhance service delivery. This position comes with competitive benefits and the opportunity to work in a supportive, forward-thinking environment. Enjoy a blend of hybrid working and a commitment to improving children’s outcomes.

Benefits

Highly competitive salary

Affordable car leasing scheme

Hybrid and flexible working

Attractive pension

Staff recognition awards

Supported leadership

Town centre parking scheme

Up to 34 days annual leave

Staff discount at popular retail and leisure sites

Modern, award-winning building

Conveniently located near transport links

Qualifications

• Experience in service redesign and improvement.
• Ability to analyse performance data.
• Background in the field of safeguarding and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead service development projects.
• Provide strategic support to operational teams.
• Collaborate with stakeholders for effective solutions.

Skills

Strong leadership skills

Excellent communication

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Operational excellence

Job description

There is an exciting opportunity to come and join The Safeguarding & Quality Assurance Team at Rochdale as a Service Manager for Service Development & Support. you will be part of Children’s Service’s senior management team based on Floor 4 of Number 1 Riverside.

The role of the Service Manager is to lead on designing, implementing and improving support services that meet the evolving needs of the operational work force. The role is central to driving innovation, supporting operational teams and ensuring services are efficient, effective and sustainable. You will provide an operational and strategic function within the service, accountable to the Head of Safeguarding for the delivery of effective service provision, strategic plans and priorities.

The Key responsibilities of the role are:

• Lead service development projects to enhance delivery and outcomes.
• Provide strategic support to operational teams, ensuring compliance and best practice.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to co-produce solutions that meet user needs.

To be successful in the role you will require strong leadership skills with experience in service redesign and improvement, have excellent communication skills and stakeholder engagement abilities with the ability to think strategically and deliver operational excellence.

Why join us?

You will be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to delivering exceptional services and making a real difference in people’s lives

Here at Rochdale Children’s Services, we are committed to supporting our children and young people to live in a borough where they can grow, get on and live well.

Everyone at Rochdale Children’s Services plays a valued role in achieving the best outcomes for children and we work closely to support and deliver real positive progress to achieve the best possible outcomes as part of our Raising Rochdale ethos.

We always have lots of great things happening in our borough and we never stand still so this is a great time to join our team and succeed at Rochdale.

We offer lots of training and supervision alongside help and guidance to build positive relationships with colleagues.

We would love for you to join us and if you would like to speak to a member of our team about this role please contact Bev Paris, Head of Safeguarding, [e-mail]

We reward you with great benefits:

• Highly competitive salary
• Affordable car leasing scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working

• Attractive pension

• Staff recognition awards and celebration events

• Supported leadership

• Town centre parking scheme

• Up to 34 days annual leave with an option to buy more

• Staff discount at popular retail and leisure sites

Other benefits

• Work in a modern, award-winning building

• Be conveniently located next to the Metrolink, bus exchange and a short walk from Rochdale train station

• You’re also a 10-minute drive from the M62 corridor

What our colleagues say.

Rochdale Council is a great place to work and managers are supportive, approachable and listen to their ideas. Here are some further comments

• ‘We work in friendly, supportive teams

• ‘There are lots of easy to access training opportunities to learn

• ‘We are based right in the town centre office, next to M&S and close to local services

To apply please upload your CV together with a supporting statement that provides evidence of how you meet the essential requirements of the person specification.

Please include reference to your qualifications that are specified on the person specification within your CV/supporting statement.

Please ensure you anonymise your CV and supporting statement.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

Appointment to this post is subject to DBS and background checks.

Closing Date 27th January 2026

Interview Date 5th February 2026

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a sponsorship for this role at this stage.

Supporting Documents

↗ Policy on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders
↗ Service Manager - Service Development & Support jd

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