Service Manager

Service Manager
Location: Northamptonshire
Salary: £36,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
About The Role
We’re launching a brand-new Day Rehab Programme in North Northamptonshire and are looking for a Service Manager to help shape and lead it from the ground up. This is a full-time role (35 hours per week), offering the chance to build a service that will make a real difference in people’s recovery journeys.
You’ll also support the development of a new LERO, helping it grow towards independence and sustainability, while working closely with the Regional Manager and wider partners.
What you’ll be doing
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll balance operational delivery with strategic input.
* Lead delivery of the Day Rehab Programme (Self-Help Addiction Recovery model)
* Support the setup and development of a new LERO service
* Line manage a Lead Counsellor, Administrator, and LERO staff
* Work with the Regional Manager on strategy, business planning, and service improvements
* Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders
* Ensure accurate data, timely reporting, and full audit compliance
* Monitor performance against service level agreements and targets
What We're Looking For
You'll be confident leading services in a fast-moving environment, with the ability to support both people and performance.
* Experience in service management within health, social care, or substance misuse
* Strong leadership and team management skills
* Confidence working with data, reporting, and compliance frameworks
* Ability to develop partnerships and work collaboratively with external stakeholders
* A proactive, organised, and solutions-focused approach
* Commitment to safeguarding, quality, and continuous improvement
No two days will be the same, you might be shaping service delivery in the morning, supporting your team through supervision in the afternoon, and reviewing performance data or meeting commissioners later in the day.
Some flexibility is required, including occasional evening or weekend work, and travel within the region may be necessary.
This is a rare opportunity to help design and embed a brand-new service from day one. You’ll play a key role in shaping recovery pathways, building a strong team culture, and ensuring high-quality support for service users.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -
* Flexible working
* Training and development opportunities
* Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
* Season Ticket Loan Scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Crisis Loan Scheme
* Electric Car Scheme
* 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
* Access to Blue Light Card
* 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
* Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
* Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
* Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application