Job Description

Head of Service - Better Days Bolton

Location: Better Days Bolton, Queen Street, Bolton, BL1 1SX
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £51,280 - £73,720 per annum

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.

Interviews will be held week commencing the 13th of April.

of the Service:

Better Days Bolton delivers structured, evidence-based support for individuals experiencing difficulties related to drug and alcohol use. The service provides confidential assessment, treatment, and recovery interventions, delivered in line with national guidance and best practice. Working in partnership with health, social care, and community organisations, the service aims to improve health outcomes, reduce harm, and support sustained recovery for individuals and families within the Bolton area.

About the role:

Supporting the Director of Services/Regional Director to provide leadership and management to services and teams within the relevant region,helpingtosecure,establishanddevelopthebestserviceswithin existing and new partnerships. The role will have oversight of a wide portfolio of services which may include Integrated Drug and Alcohol Services,Children,YoungPeopleandFamilyservices,CriminalJustice, Housing Support, Domestic Abuse services, Employability, Supported Accommodation and Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Key duties will include:

Planning/Service Delivery

• Contributetothedevelopmentoforganisationalstrategythrough involvement in strategic business planning and communicating and implementing this at service level.
• Ensuretheeffectiverunningofyourdesignatedservicesinyour and provide leadership to support growth.
• Successfullyimplementnewservicesandwhererequired organisational change initiatives.
• Initiate innovative forms of service delivery and identify developmentopportunitiestomaintainanddevelopservice provision.
• Contribute to the development and management of joined up andintegratedservicesthroughmanagementofthoseservices, the provision of workforce resource and professional and technical inputs.
• LiaisewithCorporateSupportServicestoprojectmanageall agreed mobilisations and service development activity.
• Workwithqualityandperformanceteamsandlocalmanagersto identify areas for improvement and risks, reporting via relevant governance frameworks and adopting a solution focused approachtoserviceimprovementandmitigationof risks.
• Managecontractarrangementsandrelationshipswith subcontracted partners as applicable.
• Whereapplicable,bethedesignatedCQCregistered manager.
• Leadandembedtransformationandintegrationplanswithin designated services.

Finance

• Support Area Managers in the oversight of their budgets, ensuring service delivery is within budget, highlighting any financial risk to the Director of Services/Regional Director.
• Support the Director of Services/Regional Director and Finance colleagues to forecast future budgets throughout the financial year.
• Ensure all designated services work within the set budget and work collaboratively to secure additional funding streams to enhance the work of the services.

Performance

• Support Area managers to develop and implement action plans for achieving and maintaining performance targets, KPIs and appropriate quality standards.
• Working with performance and data colleagues, provide reports and briefings as required including reports to senior managers, commissioners and operational and strategic meetings.

People

• Manage, mentor, coach and ensure the development of staff reporting to you, including volunteers. This includes involvement in delivering appropriate training, recruitment, induction, monitoring performance, managing absence and conducting appraisals/supervisions.
• Provide Leadership and direction to the team(s) in your area and communicate key decisions from the Senior Management Group and Group Executive Management.
• Deputise for the Director of Services/Regional Director when required.

Development and engagement

• To lead on relationship management and maximising Waythrough’s opportunities to develop services within designated services/region.
• Contribute to the development of corporate policy by leading and joining working parties, delivering staff briefings and communicating and implementing at regional and service level.

• Support pipeline development of upcoming businessm development opportunities and contribute to the development of new service models.
• Work closely with Waythrough’s Business Development team to develop bids, including identifying key winning propositions and unique selling points for the organisation, operationally leading bids where required.
• Represent Waythrough in a professional manner and network, build and maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external professionals and stakeholders including service users, staff teams, commissioners and other service providers.
• Support the Director of Services/Regional Director to develop and implement service delivery plans and service mobilisations.
• Support the Director of Services in representing Waythrough at external professional forums.

About you:

• Educatedtodegreeorpre-degreelevel or hold a relevant qualification at NVQ level 5 (or equivalent) OR have significant relevant experience of leading multiple services within the sector.

• Knowledgeandexperienceof leading serviceswithinhealthandsocialcaresector (substance misuse, mental health, housing etc)

• Experienceofmanagingmultiple commissioned services.

• Experienceofoperationalmanagement,with knowledge and understanding of strategic management.

• Experienceofpresentingandwinning tenders.

• Commercialunderstanding of:

  • tenderingandcommissioning processes

  • markets,pipeline building

  • developingmarketsandclient relationships

  identifying,assessinganddevelopingnew business opportunities

• Understandingandexperienceofaudit frameworks e.g. Ofsted, CQC.

• Experienceofmanaging employee performance, including management of formaldisciplinaryandgrievanceprocedures.

• Experience of budget management with experienceofatleastoneofthefollowing areas: payment by results or defrayed expenditure.

Additional information:

• Requiredtotravelaroundserviceswithintheregionona regular basis providing visible leadership to services.
• Toengageinserviceoutofhoursoncall rota.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 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.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

Closing Date:

2026-04-05