Service Manager - Community and Partnerships
Employer: Wokingham Borough Council
Salary: £59,009 - £64,673 per annum, plus benefits
Location: Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End/Home Working
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week.
DBS Check: Enhanced
Closing Date: 05/04/2026 at 23:00
Reference: 712907
We have an excellent opportunity for a Service Manager - Community and Partnerships to join our team here at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full-time, permanent basis.
This is a key leadership role, managing the Borough’s statutory libraryand community engagementservice supporting the development of strong, sustainable partnerships that improve outcomes for residents.
As the Service Manager - Community and Partnerships, you will provide visible leadership across our library hubsand community settings, working collaboratively with our residents, councilTown and Parishandcolleagues and external partners including the voluntary and community sector, healthpartners, businessesand elected members.
You will lead the operational delivery of community engagement and library services, using insight and performance data to shape targeted action, working to reduce inequalities, and ensure our libraries remains safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for everyone.
The role includes line management of Area Leads (Grade 9, 3 FTE), and responsibility for budgets and resources across the service (including people, non-people, income, and relevant assets).
The role is hybrid, with an expectation of on-site working (up to 3 days per week) across our main library hubs to understand operations and support our teams. A flexible and dynamic approach in your management style is essential with demonstratable ability to manage and deliver projects and people performance.
Ensuring meaningful engagement with a wide range of key stakeholders relevant to the various projects you will deliver is essential alongside the ability to motivate teams and bring them on the journey with us.
Not only is this an excellent opportunity to bring innovation and shape the future of service delivery at a critical time of change for Local Authorities, but it’s a fantastic time to join our team.
You will receive an extensive range of employee benefits including:
* Generous Annual Leave of 31 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
* Local Government Pension Scheme
* GP Helpline – Available 7 days a week
* Employee Assistance Programme – Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline
* Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
* Free Onsite Gym – Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham
* Salary Sacrifice Schemes – Including Car and Cycle to Work schemes
* Local & Lifestyle Discounts – Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more
* Move through Menopause Course
* Sports & Social Group Activities – Including running, football, cricket & more
* Learning & Development Opportunities
* Employee Networks
* And more!
Key Responsibilities
* Manage the Borough’s statutory library service and oversee library-related services.
* Lead, manage, motivate and drive team performance in the delivery of community and partnership priorities and frontline services.
* Manage budgets, resources and assets within the service area, ensuring value for money and financial sustainability.
* Ensure health and safety systems and processes maintain a safe environment for staff, volunteers and residents.
* Use data and insight to understand performance, identify trends and shape targeted action to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities.
* Develop and enhance internal and external partnerships to support delivery of the Council’s objectives and improve resident and partner experience.
Candidate Requirements
* Educated to degree level or equivalent senior-level experience in a working partnership role, with evidence of continuous professional development.
* Significant experience of working in a project management/development/community support setting and delivering priorities in a partnership environment (e.g., local government, voluntary sector, health).
* Strong leadership experience in a fast-paced, customer-facing/frontline environment, including leading complex change in a politically sensitive setting.
* Experience of managing and prioritising resources and budgets.
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, including presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders and working effectively with elected members/political stakeholders.
* Ability to produce clear, concise communications for a range of senior audiences.
Our Area
Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.
We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.
Click the link below and Apply Today! Alternatively, to arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Sarah O'Connor, Head of Communities and Partnerships via email; sarah.oconnor@wokingham.gov.uk (Strictly no agencies).
If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.
Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.
Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.
We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.
Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.
How to apply
Please apply online via the link provided.
Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.
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