Interim Community, Health & Wellbeing Operations Manager
Team: Community Health & Wellbeing
Location: Civic Centre, Esher and across six Centres for the Community
Hours: 36 hours per week
Contract: Interim
DBS Requirement: Enhanced DBS
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Interim Community, Health & Wellbeing Operations Manager to lead the operational delivery of services across six Centres for the Community.
These centres provide vital frontline services to older and vulnerable residents, including hot meals, social and wellbeing activities, and space hire to community and voluntary sector organisations.
This is a pivotal role at a time of significant transformation. The service is transitioning to a new “Connected Communities” model, and the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring continuity of service delivery while supporting the transition to new operating and partnership arrangements.
The role requires strong operational leadership, people management capability, and the ability to manage change in a sensitive and politically aware environment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership
* Oversee the effective, safe and consistent delivery of services across six community centres.
* Review and improve operational processes and procedures, ensuring alignment with corporate standards, legislation and best practice.
* Embed a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring customer-focused and efficient service delivery.
* Ensure compliance with health & safety, food hygiene, safeguarding and data protection legislation.
People Management
* Line manage the Senior Centre Manager, Centre Managers, Duty Supervisors and other relevant staff.
* Support, motivate and performance manage staff in line with council procedures.
* Oversee and enhance the volunteer experience, ensuring effective recruitment, training and support structures.
* Foster a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture during a period of change.
Service Transformation
* Work closely with the Head of Community Health & Wellbeing to support the transition to the Connected Communities model.
* Collaborate with voluntary sector partners and internal stakeholders to ensure a smooth and effective transformation process.
* Introduce measurable improvements and ensure robust data collection for ongoing oversight.
Financial & Governance Oversight
* Monitor income streams, billing processes and financial controls in partnership with the Head of Service.
* Identify opportunities to improve financial efficiency and operational sustainability.
* Ensure safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children is central to service delivery.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Work collaboratively with elected Members, council departments, community groups and external partners.
* Operate effectively within a local government and political environment.
About You
You will bring:
* Significant operational leadership experience in frontline, customer-facing services.
* Experience managing multi-site teams and developing managers.
* A strong track record of delivering service improvements and managing change.
* Knowledge of safeguarding, health & safety and compliance requirements.
* Financial awareness and experience overseeing income-generating services.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence across diverse stakeholders.
* The ability to remain calm, pragmatic and solutions-focused under pressure.
Experience within local government, public sector or voluntary sector settings is desirable.
Additional Requirements
* Enhanced DBS clearance.
* Current driving licence and ability to travel across the borough.
* Flexibility to attend occasional evening meetings or events.
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