This is a senior leadership role managing our two flagship frontline services - Antifreeze and Gateway. You will lead 6-8 key workers and 30+ volunteers across two sites, overseeing day centre operations, street outreach, one-to-one keywork, group activities, and strategic initiatives.
As a member of the senior leadership team, you'll shape trauma-informed, dignity-centred services whilst contributing to our longer-term vision of tackling root causes of poverty. You will develop our services to be ready for new initiatives around housing and community-based support. In addition, you will have the role of Deputy Safeguarding Lead for the wider organisation.
A requirement of the role is for the post-holder to be a woman and a practising Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
About Us
Off The Fence reaches out to break the cycle of poverty in Brighton & Hove, ensuring that no one is left behind. We believe in resisting poverty, empowering people, and restoring hope, and we work toward a future where social and spiritual poverty no longer exists. Poverty is complex—it’s not just about finances, but about housing, mental health, education, and belonging. To address these needs, Off The Fence now provides three core programmes, each offering a different form of practical and emotional support. As poverty in Brighton & Hove has increased, so has our commitment. At the heart of our work is a belief that every person deserves dignity, hope, and the opportunity to rebuild their life.
The Gateway Programme is dedicated to empowering women facing crisis, emotional hardship, or practical difficulties. Our Gateway Women’s Centre is a trauma-informed safe space where our support team offer confidential, one-to-one emotional, practical, and spiritual support. Through drop-ins, an essentials bank, and referrals, we equip women to confidently navigate life’s challenges. Our goal-based workshops and wellness sessions provide opportunities for personal development while creating moments of joy and belonging. Gateway empowers women to rebuild their lives. Whether through restorative care, discipleship sessions, or access to external services, women supported can step into a future of stability, community, and hope.
The Antifreeze Programme exists to break the cycle of social and spiritual poverty amidst homelessness, providing tangible steps towards a permanent home and long-term stability. Since 1998, Antifreeze has been a safe and warm space for members, offering faith-based, practical support services that restore dignity and hope. At our Day Centre, we provide hygiene facilities (showers & laundry), medical drop-ins, and essential survival provisions to meet immediate needs. Through 1-to-1 sessions, we support members with housing applications, benefits, and financial stability, while goal-based workshops equip them with skills to attain permanent homes and ethical employment. Our discipleship sessions encourage an advanced understanding of the Christian faith, offering fellowship and spiritual growth. To address digital poverty, we offer computer access for job searches and reconnecting with loved ones.
Beyond practical support, Antifreeze fosters healthy community relationships, improves mental health awareness, and helps members move toward ethical employment, reduced reliance on substances, and a forever home.
Main duties
Operational Management
* Oversee daily delivery of day centre, street outreach, keywork, and activities
* Manage £300k budget across both programmes
* Ensure safe staffing ratios through effective workforce planning
* Maintain compliance with H&S, safeguarding, GDPR, and quality standards
* Design and deliver projects aligned with fundraised income
Strategic Leadership
* Establish and drive a strategic vision for both programmes aligned with the Housing First approach
* Lead evidence-based service design informed by client needs and best practice
* Represent OTF at city-wide forums; build partnerships with local authorities and commissioners
* Hold budget responsibility of £300k ensuring financial sustainability
* Provide monthly KPI reports to senior leadership, Board, and funders
Team Leadership
* Line manage 6-8 key workers: supervision, reviews, development planning
* Lead recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members
* Ensure team has current knowledge of services and frameworks
* Recruit, train, and manage 30+ volunteers across programmes
* Foster a culture of excellence, compassion, and Christ-like service
Client Practice & Partnerships
* Maintain oversight of trauma-informed, person-centred delivery
* Lead faith-based activities, including Bible studies and discipleship
* Champion client voice in service design
* Build relationships with housing, health, and voluntary sector providers
* Support fundraising through case studies and impact reporting