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
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.
Description 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 the integrated drug and alcohol service in Bolton, which includes criminal justice interventions, family and housing support, and employment support via IPS.
Key duties will include:
Planning/ServiceDelivery
1. Contributetothedevelopmentoforganisationalstrategythrough involvement in strategic business planning and communicating and implementing this at service level.
2. Ensuretheeffectiverunningofyourdesignatedservicesinyour and provide leadership to support growth.
3. Successfullyimplementnewservicesandwhererequired organisational change initiatives.
4. Initiate innovative forms of service delivery and identify developmentopportunitiestomaintainanddevelopservice provision.
5. Contribute to the development and management of joined up andintegratedservicesthroughmanagementofthoseservices, the provision of workforce resource and professional and technicalinputs.
6. LiaisewithCorporateSupportServicestoprojectmanageall agreed mobilisations and service development activity.
7. Workwithqualityandperformanceteamsandlocalmanagersto identify areas for improvement and risks, reporting via relevant governance frameworks and adopting a solution focused approachtoserviceimprovementandmitigationofrisks.
8. Managecontractarrangementsandrelationshipswith subcontracted partners as applicable.
9. Whereapplicable,bethedesignatedCQCregistered manager.
10. Leadandembedtransformationandintegrationplanswithin designated services.
Finance
11. You will have oversight of the budgets, ensuring service delivery is within budget, highlighting any financial risk to the Director of Services/Regional Director.
12. Support the Director of Services/Regional Director and Finance colleagues to forecast future budgets throughout the financial year.
13. 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
14. Support local managers to develop and implement action plans for achieving and maintaining performance targets, KPIs and appropriate quality standards.
15. Working with performance and data colleagues, provide reports and briefings as required including reports to senior managers, commissioners and operational and strategic meetings.
People
16. 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.
17. Provide Leadership and direction to the team(s) in your area and communicate key decisions from the Senior Management Group and Group Executive Management.
18. Deputise for the Director of Services/Regional Director when required.
Development and engagement
19. To lead on relationship management and maximising Waythrough’s opportunities to develop services within designated services/region.
20. 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.
21. Support pipeline development of upcoming business development opportunities and contribute to the development of new service models.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. Support the Director of Services/Regional Director to develop and implement service delivery plans and service mobilisations.
25. Support the Director of Services in representing Waythrough at external professional forums.
About you:
26. Educatedtodegreeorpre-degreelevelor hold a relevant qualification at NVQ level 5 (or equivalent) OR have significant relevant experience of leading multiple services within the sector.
27. Knowledgeandexperienceofleading serviceswithinhealthandsocialcaresector (substance misuse, mental health, housing etc)
28. Experienceofmanagingmultiple commissioned services.
29. Experienceofoperationalmanagement,with knowledge and understanding of strategic management.
30. Experienceofpresentingandwinningtenders.
31. Commercialunderstandingof:
•tenderingandcommissioningprocesses
•markets,pipeline building
•developingmarketsandclientrelationships
identifying,assessinganddevelopingnew business opportunities
32. Understandingandexperienceofaudit frameworks e.g. Ofsted, CQC.
33. Experienceofmanagingemployee performance, including management of formaldisciplinaryandgrievanceprocedures.
34. Experience of budget management with experienceofatleastoneofthefollowing areas: payment by results or defrayed expenditure.
Additional information:
35. Requiredtotravelaroundserviceswithintheregionona regular basis providing visible leadership to services.
36. 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:
37. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
38. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
39. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
40. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
41. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
42. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
43. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
44. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
45. £500 bonus
46. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
47. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
48. 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:
Closing Date:
2026-04-05