Ben's Centre For Vulnerable People (Sheffield)
Job Description
We are a small, dynamic charity committed to supporting individuals affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Our mission is to provide high-quality, recovery-focused services that empower people to overcome challenges, build resilience, and lead fulfilling lives. We place lived experience at the heart of everything we do, ensuring our services are compassionate, innovative, and person-centred.
Our mission
To provide a safe space and an open hand to those who suffer through substance misuse and its associated barriers.
Our vision
To give hope and opportunity to those who have neither.
Our core values
Inclusion, opportunity, and motivation to live unhindered by trauma and substance dependency.
None of the aims above would be possible without the people we employ and the passion that they bring to support our clients, each and every part of this family makes Ben’s Centre’s goals achievable.
Location: 22 Wilkinson Street, Broomhall, Sheffield S10 2GB
Salary: £43,212 (FTE)
Hours: 34
Contract Type: Permanent
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Role overview
As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide visionary leadership and operational oversight to a small but impactful charity dedicated to supporting individuals affected by drug and alcohol addiction. You will be responsible for shaping and delivering a clear strategic direction that aligns with the charity’s mission, values, and long-term goals, ensuring that all services are harm reduction focussed, trauma-informed, and rooted in lived experience.
You will lead a committed team of staff and volunteers fostering a culture of compassion, collaboration, and continuous learning. Drawing on your deep understanding of mental health and addiction, you will ensure that services are person-centred, holistic, and responsive to the complex and evolving needs of the people we support.
Your role will involve overseeing the delivery of high-quality frontline services, in the day centre and outreach service. You will ensure that all support is delivered safely, ethically, and in line with best practice, while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes, impact, and service improvement.
As the public face of the charity, you will build and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including commissioners, funders, community partners, and people with lived experience. You will represent the charity at strategic forums and multi-agency meetings, advocating for the needs of service users and promoting the value of co-production in service design and delivery.
You will also play a key role in governance and compliance, working closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure robust risk management, financial sustainability, and adherence to regulatory requirements. Through effective leadership, innovation, and advocacy, you will drive the charity forward, ensuring it remains a trusted, inclusive, and empowering organisation for all those it serves.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Service Delivery
* Lead the development and continuous improvement of recovery-focused services for individuals with addiction and mental health challenges.
* Ensure services are trauma-informed, strengths-based, and tailored to individual needs.
* Promote the recovery model across the organisation, embedding coaching, motivational techniques, and holistic care.
Operational Oversight
* Oversee the delivery of advanced key worker support, and one-to-one interventions, within the day centre and outreach services.
* Monitor service outcomes, ensure contract compliance, and contribute to performance reporting.
* Lead safeguarding, risk management, and incident reporting processes.
Financial Management & Governance
* Take overall responsibility for the charity’s financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
* Work closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure robust financial oversight and compliance with regulatory requirements.
* Ensure effective resource allocation and value for money across all areas of service delivery.
Fundraising & Income Generation
* Lead on fundraising strategy, identifying and securing diverse income streams including grants, donations, and commissioned services.
* Write and coordinate funding bids, proposals, and tenders to support service sustainability and growth.
* Build relationships with funders and donors, ensuring transparent reporting and stewardship.
Partnerships & Advocacy
* Act as the charity’s key liaison with external agencies, integrated care systems, and community partners.
* Represent the charity at strategic forums, multi‑agency meetings, and community events.
* Advocate for service users, promoting access to community resources and opportunities.
People & Culture
* Provide mentoring and supervision to the Operations Manager and to other staff as required.
* Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and reflective practice.
* Model professional boundaries and ethical practice in line with sector standards.
Governance & Development
* Work closely with the Board of Trustees to shape strategic direction and ensure good governance.
* Lead service improvement initiatives, co-design new approaches, and support change implementation.
* Contribute to the development and review of operational procedures and policies.
Impact & Communication
* Lead on data collection and analysis, producing reports and case studies to demonstrate impact.
* Maintain accurate and confidential records in line with data protection policies.
* Promote the value of lived experience and co‑production in service design and delivery.
Person Specification
Leadership & Strategic Vision
* Proven experience in a senior leadership role within the health, social care, or voluntary sector.
* Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive service improvement and organisational growth.
* Strong understanding of governance, financial management, and regulatory compliance in a charitable context.
* Expertise in addiction and mental health.
* In‑depth knowledge of substance misuse, mental health conditions, and recovery‑oriented approaches.
* Experience in delivering or overseeing trauma‑informed, strengths‑based, and person‑centred support services.
* Ability to translate lived experience into service innovation and best practice.
Operational Management
* Skilled in managing complex caseloads, service delivery frameworks, and performance monitoring systems.
* Experience in safeguarding, risk assessment, and incident management. Financial Management & Fundraising
o Experience in managing budgets, financial planning, and reporting within a charity or similar organisation.
o Proven track record in securing funding through grant applications, tenders, and donor engagement.
o Ability to write compelling funding bids and proposals aligned with strategic priorities.
Communication & Advocacy
o Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
o Experience in representing an organisation at strategic forums, multi‑agency meetings, and public events.
o Ability to advocate effectively for service users and promote co‑production in service design.
People Management & Culture
o Proven ability to lead, motivate, and support diverse teams, including staff, volunteers, and peer workers.
o Commitment to fostering a culture of learning, collaboration, and reflective practice.
o Experience in mentoring, coaching, and informal supervision.
Data & Impact
o Strong analytical skills, with experience in collecting, interpreting, and reporting qualitative and quantitative data.
o Ability to produce compelling impact reports, case studies, and service evaluations.
o Familiarity with data protection legislation and ethical record‑keeping practices.
Sector Knowledge & Networks
o Understanding of integrated care systems, commissioning processes, and local authority structures.
o Existing relationships with community partners, funders, and strategic stakeholders.
Innovation & Service Development
o Experience in leading service improvement initiatives and co‑designing new approaches.
o Ability to identify emerging needs and respond with creative, evidence‑informed solutions.
Fundraising & Income Generation
o Experience in securing funding through grants, partnerships, or social enterprise models.
o Understanding of charity finance, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Qualifications (desirable)
o Relevant professional qualification in health, social care, psychology, or related field.
o Leadership or management qualification.
Location: Sheffield
Type of Contract: Full Time
Hours: 34
All staff are enrolled on a Westfield Health Scheme
Closing Date: 24‑11‑2025
How to Apply: Please send a covering letter and CV, clearly identifying your knowledge and experience in all 8 key responsibilities via email to: benscentre@hotmail.co.uk
Candidate must also provide a post to: Daryl Bishop, CEO, Ben's Centre for Vulnerable People, 22 Wilkinson Street, Sheffield S10 2GB
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