Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Act as a key local ambassador for Navigators, building a strong and visible community presence.
• Proactively engage with external partners, community groups, and stakeholders to enhance the centre’s reach and relevance.
• Develop partnerships that increase participation, improve outcomes, and support both social and commercial objectives.
• Ensure services align with both Navigators’ mission and the Wythenshawe Community Needs Assessment, including:
  • Health and mental wellbeing
  • Youth engagement and positive activities
  • Inclusion and community cohesion
  • Education, skills, and employability
  • Tackling economic hardship
  • Community safety and resilience

Conflict Resolution & Staff Wellbeing

• Apply excellent conflict resolution and mediation skills to support staff through transition and beyond.
• Manage change-related challenges with professionalism, empathy, and fairness.
• Foster a supportive environment reflective of Navigators’ people-first ethos.

Facilities & Sustainability Awareness

• Support and maximise the benefits of the centre’s recent decarbonisation investment.
• Promote efficient, sustainable use of the building in line with Navigators’ sustainability ambitions.
• Ensure the centre remains welcoming, safe, and fit for purpose.

Performance & Impact

• Monitor outcomes and impact, ensuring delivery aligns with Navigators’ strategic goals.
• Contribute to reporting, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the centre delivers both social value and financial sustainability.

Skills and Abilities

Leadership & People Management

• Ability to lead, inspire, and develop multi-disciplinary teams, including front-of-house, catering, and facilities staff.
• Skilled in bringing teams together around a shared vision and common purpose.
• Confident in setting clear expectations, managing performance, and embedding accountability.
• Experience of leading through change, including resetting culture and ways of working.

Commercial & Entrepreneurial Skills

• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify and maximise income-generating opportunities.
• Able to think entrepreneurially and operate a “business within a business” approach.
• Skilled in balancing financial sustainability with community accessibility and social value.
• Ability to develop, implement, and monitor revenue streams (e.g. room hire, events, partnerships, programmes).

Communication & Relationship Building

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to build strong relationships internally and externally, including with community groups, partners, and local organisations.
• Confident in representing the organisation and developing a strong community presence.

Partnership & Community Engagement

• Skilled in developing partnerships that enhance service delivery, participation, and impact.
• Ability to engage communities effectively, understanding local needs and responding with relevant provision.
• Experience of working collaboratively across organisational and sector boundaries.

Operational & Organisational Skills

• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Experience overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring high standards of service delivery.
• Ability to use data and insight to inform decisions, monitor performance, and drive improvement.

Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Able to make sound, timely decisions in a dynamic environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a proactive and solution-focused approach.
• Comfortable managing complexity and ambiguity during periods of change.

Conflict Resolution & Emotional Intelligence

• Highly developed interpersonal awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to manage conflict sensitively and effectively, supporting positive outcomes.
• Skilled in building trust, maintaining morale, and supporting staff wellbeing.

Experience and Qualifications

Experience

• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within a youth work, community, leisure, or similar public-facing environment.
• Demonstrated experience of managing and developing diverse teams, including front-line, operational, and facilities-based staff.
• Experience of leading teams through change, transformation, or organisational transition (including TUPE exposure where possible).
• Track record of delivering high-quality community services or programmes that respond to local needs.
• Experience of developing partnerships with external organisations, stakeholders, and community groups.
• Experience of generating income, managing budgets, or contributing to the financial sustainability of a service.
• Experience of managing day-to-day operations within a community facility, centre, or similar setting.

Essential:

• Relevant professional qualification (or equivalent experience) in Youth Work, Community Development, Leadership, Management, or a related field.
• Minimum Level 3 qualification (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Safeguarding training (or willingness to obtain prior to/shortly after appointment).
• Health & Safety awareness/training appropriate to managing a public-facing facility.
• Maths and English GCSE or equivalent (Functional skills level 2)
• Full driving licence and access to own vehicle (with business insurance)

Desirable:

• Level 5 or above qualification in Leadership, Management, Youth Work, Community Development, or a related field.
• Chartered Management Institute (CMI), ILM, or equivalent recognised leadership/management qualification.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject area.
• Formal training or qualification in business development, enterprise, or commercial management.
• Accredited safeguarding qualification (e.g. Designated Safeguarding Lead).
• First Aid qualification.
• Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile or equivalent).

Other Requirements

• Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends, in line with centre operations.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Enhanced DBS check (essential).

Behaviours and Values

Empathy & Respect

• Demonstrates genuine understanding and respect for the needs of staff, young people, and the wider community
• Promotes an inclusive environment by valuing diversity and actively listening to others

Integrity & Honesty

• Acts with transparency, professionalism, and accountability in all decisions and actions
• Communicates openly and consistently, building credibility and trust

Resilience & Commitment

• Maintains a positive, solution-focused approach in the face of challenge and change
• Shows strong personal commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes

Trust & Authenticity

• Builds trust through open, genuine, and consistent behaviour
• Leads with authenticity, creating a supportive environment where others feel confident to contribute

Declarations

We aim to create and maintain a safe environment and community where all young people and adults feel safe, secure and valued. We work hard to create strong relationships and show a commitment to safeguarding all young people