Head of Community Services
Trust Links | Essex | £48,000 – £52,000 | Full-time (37.5 hrs)
Trust Links, Essex’s local mental health and wellbeing charity, is seeking an inspiring Head of Community Services to provide strategic leadership across our expanding portfolio of community-based services. This is a brand new senior role, created to support our growth and strengthen delivery across the county.
Each year, Trust Links supports more than 4,000 people through our award‑winning Growing Together therapeutic gardens, youth and families services, Recovery College, counselling, environmental projects, employability programmes, and our new ReRooted social enterprise. We believe people thrive when they feel supported, valued and connected — and we are growing our work to reach more communities across Essex.
About the Role
As Head of Community Services, you will:
* Lead and manage community service teams across multiple sites in Essex
* Ensure high‑quality, safe, impactful delivery of mental health, wellbeing and environmental programmes
* Shape and expand services, developing innovative approaches rooted in community, co‑production and environmental sustainability
* Drive sustainability through funding applications, tenders, business cases and partnerships
* Oversee service quality, monitoring, evaluation and reporting
* Play a key role within the Senior Management Team, helping shape Trust Links’ future direction
This role will directly support growth as Trust Links expands its unique blend of mental health, wellbeing and environmental services across Essex.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Management
* Line manage team managers and support effective leadership
* Drive high service standards, safeguarding and risk management
* Mentor teams to develop creative, co-produced solutions
Service Development & Quality
* Strengthen and expand services across Essex
* Lead the development of SOPs and quality assurance
* Oversee budgets and ensure financial sustainability
* Embed lived experience and co-production in service design
Business Development
* Identify and pursue grants, tenders and traded income opportunities
* Build strategic partnerships with NHS, local authorities, VCSE partners and others
Strategic Leadership
* Contribute to Senior Management Team decision-making
* Represent Trust Links at external meetings and forums
About You
Essential:
* Significant experience in service development and operational delivery
* Strong people management and leadership skills
* Excellent communication, partnership building and organisational abilities
* Confident, proactive and collaborative
* Strong IT and presentation skills
Desirable:
* Experience with business development, grants or tenders
* Relevant professional qualifications
* Driving licence and access to a vehicle
Why Join Trust Links?
* Friendly, supportive organisational culture
* Flexible and hybrid working options
* Staff wellbeing programme and development opportunities
* Work across beautiful therapeutic gardens and community hubs
* Life Assurance and TOIL
* Join a values-led charity committed to wellbeing, co-production, justice, inclusivity, environmental sustainability and community empowerment