This is a key role responsible for overseeing and managing the delivery and development of our Gateway programme for women. Alongside the daily management of staff and volunteers, this role is responsible for ensuring that the services provided are safe, best practice and compliant with all relevant policies and procedures.
As we seek to grow and reach more people, this role will play a vital role in undertaking strategic reviews of all current services and informing new service delivery and design. This will be undertaken in partnership with other service leads and working closely with senior leadership colleagues.
Please note: A requirement of the role is for the post-holder to be a practising Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010
Please note: A requirement of the role is for the post-holder to be a woman in accordance with the Equality Act 2010
Main duties:
· Oversight and delivery of all programme activities relating to Gateway including drop ins, one-to-one support, group activities and faith based activities.
· Establish and drive the overall strategic vision for the service in line with the operational plan and informed by the needs of the people the service exists for
· Lead the design and development of new services in line with client needs, resources, staffing and strategic purpose of the team.
· Hold direct budget responsibility for day-to-day operations and in line with any specific funding requirements
· Be an active member of the Off the Fence leadership team
· Review and implement policies and procedures for safe service delivery
· Provide reports on key activity, outputs and impact in line with KPIs and other reporting requirements.
· Line manage the team of key workers, providing regular performance reviews, pastoral support and identifying training needs.
· Support with the recruitment and onboarding of new team members, including in-house training and supervision
· Ensuring that key workers have a good working knowledge of local services, referral routes, other agencies and when to highlight safeguarding concerns.
· Provide pastoral support for the team and volunteers in the service
· Lead Bible studies, prayer meetings for staff, volunteers and at external events as required
· Recruit, retain and manage volunteers in line with organisational policies and procedures
· Ensure safe and efficient delivery of services in line with health and safety, safeguarding, data protection and safe working practices.
· Plan and maintain safe staffing ratios through effective resource allocation
· Design and delivery of projects/activities in line with fundraised income, including reporting and engaging with funders as required
· Build and establish key sector relationships across the city to enhance the team’s reach and impact in the community
· Oversight and pastoral responsibility for the faith-based activities delivered for and with clients
· Build and establish relationships with other providers who can meet the needs of our clients e.g. local health teams.
· Contribute to wider profile-raising activities of Off the Fence
· Review and implement policies and procedures for safe service delivery
· Have responsibility for the safe processing and storage of client data in line with data protection regulations and policies, including CRM.
· Regularly review the effectiveness, safety and efficiency of all services including drop ins and one-to-one support.
· Active membership of and attendance at local forums, groups and networks
Key attributes and experience required for the role:
· Proven experience in managing frontline services and staff teams (minimum 3 years in a supervisory/management role)
· Experience in delivering services with vulnerable client groups
· Strong knowledge of the legal and statutory framework for housing, benefits, employment. Ideally, knowledge of local services and support agencies.
· A passion for seeing women thrive – practically, emotionally and spiritually
· Strong alignment with the vision of Off the Fence, and a commitment to our organisational focus
· Strong understanding and application of safeguarding, data protection and health and safety policy.
· Experience in service design, service improvement and project management
· Experience in supporting people with complex and multiple needs, including substance abuse and severe mental health.
· Excellent organisational and time management skills
· High level of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality
· Ability to interpret policies, legislation and data effectively
· Proficient in Microsoft Office, and experience of CRM management
· A requirement of the role is for the post-holder to be a practising Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010
Vision and values
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.
By 1997, Off The Fence became a registered charity, allowing us to expand and tackle poverty in a deeper way, through compassion, excellence, unity, integrity, and a Christ-like approach to supporting the most vulnerable.
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 at Off The Fence 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. By breaking cycles of isolation, restoring self-agency, and connecting women to strong support networks,
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.
As a Christian organisation we seek to live and work by our values:
· Christ-like: we desire the best for others (Col 1:27, 1 John 3:16)
· Excellence: we aim for outstanding quality (1 Cor 12:31, Phil 4:8)
· Unity: we achieve more together (Ps 133, Eph 4:3)
· Compassion: we care for those who are suffering (Col 3:12, Matt 9:35)
· Integrity: we do what is right (Prov 10:9, Titus 2:7-8)
Working at Off the Fence
We are a small but highly dedicated team, passionate about seeing transformation across Brighton and Hove. Off the Fence employees are entitled to:
- 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays, with extra days added for long service
- Up to 5 days of mission leave (pro rata)
- 7% employer pension contributions
Notes for applicants
If you’re applying for this role, we ask that you submit your CV and a cover letter. In your cover letter please outline how your skills and experience align with the requirements of this role, as well as explaining why you want to be a part of Off the Fence.