Operational Manager – Supported Housing

Accommodation for Work Project and Move On Project

We are seeking an experienced Operational Manager to lead two specialist supported housing services, helping people build independence through recovery, housing and employment.

Position: Operational Manager – Supported Housing
Location: Brighton
Salary: £36,729 per annum (plus £1,218 per annum Essential User Car Allowance and Management on-call allowance)
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Fixed-Term Contract 12 months (for internal applications, secondment opportunities may be considered)
Working Pattern: Hybrid – up to one day per week working from home, with additional flexibility when report writing
Closing Date: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged.

About:

As an Operational Manager you will be working for a people-led organisation whose mission is to inspire change across Sussex.

About the Role

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead two established supported housing services helping people experiencing homelessness, recovery from substance use and barriers to employment to move towards greater independence.

You will manage two small, experienced teams across services providing shared accommodation in Brighton. While each service has its own remit and outcomes, both focus on providing safe accommodation alongside the support people need to rebuild their lives through recovery, employment, training and increased independence.

The Operational Manager will participate in the on-call rota for Addiction Services.

The Move On Project provides safe, recovery-focused accommodation in 6 shared houses across the city for 26 people who have completed a structured rehabilitation programme or are in sustained recovery from substance use. The service is rooted in supporting individuals to maintain and strengthen their recovery journey, with a strong emphasis on abstinence, peer support and building healthy, stable lifestyles. Residents are required to remain free from drugs and alcohol during their stay and to actively engage in education, training or employment activities.

The Accommodation for Work Project aims to help homeless people into employment and independent accommodation. It is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Working with people who feel they are ready to engage in paid or voluntary work, training courses, work placements or employment, the project offers temporary shared accommodation, in 4 shared houses across the city, and support for 21 single adults aged 18-65 with a local connection to Brighton & Hove.

While the two projects have different eligibility criteria and funder requirements, they are strongly aligned in their shared aim of supporting people to rebuild their lives through stable accommodation, meaningful activity and increased independence. Both projects provide accommodation in shared houses across the city, with staff providing support for clients at the houses and from our office location. As Operational Manager, you will ensure both services operate safely and effectively, meet their respective targets, and work collaboratively to create clear pathways for clients progressing through recovery, housing and employment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading, supporting and developing staff through supervision, appraisals, training and performance management.

• Ensuring services operate safely, effectively and in line with agreed outcomes.

• Managing referrals and supporting effective client pathways and move-on.

• Overseeing safeguarding, health and safety, risk assessments and operational compliance.

• Developing strong relationships with voluntary, statutory and specialist partner organisations.

• Monitoring performance, budgets, data and service outcomes.

• Producing reports for stakeholders and funders.

• Supporting continuous service improvement and learning.

• Participating in a paid management on-call rota.

Person Specification:

To be successful in the role of Operational Manager you will need to have great communication skills and be committed to the values of BHT Sussex.

• A relevant professional background in one or more of the following fields: addiction and recovery, homelessness, social care, complex needs.

• Experience of providing effective line management and team supervision and support.

• Knowledge of Psychologically Informed Practice and providing Trauma Informed Care.

• Ability to plan work, work independently, prioritise competing demands and manage challenges well.

• Experience of effective joint working with voluntary and statutory organisations.

In return:

In recognition of our commitment to staff, BHT Sussex has been awarded Gold Accreditation from Investors in People. We are also signed up to the Disability Confident employer scheme and have made the Mental Health at Work commitment.

You will also receive a fantastic benefits package including:

• 5.5% stakeholder pension scheme and life assurance scheme

• Medical cash plan with BHSF

• Access to BHT Sussex’s Learning & Development platform

• Free and confidential employee assistance helpline for both personal and work-related concerns

• Cycle-to-work scheme

• Free new starter 28-day Network Saver Brighton bus pass

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 27 days per annum pro rata, rising 1 day for each year of service to a maximum of 32 days pro rata

• The opportunity to participate in well-being and fundraising activities throughout the year

BHT Sussex is an equal opportunities employer using a fair and open recruitment process that fully complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. We are committed to encouraging equality, equity, inclusion, and diversity within the workplace. As an employer we are committed to promoting and supporting our people’s social, physical and psychological health at work. Please let us know if you require any special arrangements or reasonable adjustments if called for interview. BHT Sussex welcomes applications from individuals with lived experience.

BHT Sussex reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applicants for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

An Enhanced DBS Check (Disclosure and Barring Service) is required on all successful applicants as a condition of employment for this post.