Homeless Link
Senior Practice Development Manager
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Senior Practice Development Manager
Location: Flexible, London Head Office (minimum 2 days per week in the office) or Home Based
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: (London, Hybrid) or (home-based)
Closing Date: 12pm, Monday 19th October 2026
Interview Dates: Thursday 5th and Friday 6th November (expected)
Join Homeless Link
Homeless Link is the national membership charity for frontline homeless agencies in England. With more than 750 members, we work to improve services and campaign for policy change that will help end homelessness and ensure that everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to keep it.
As part of the Social Change directorate the Policy and Research team lead Homeless Link’s evidence, policy influencing and thought leadership activities. The research team generates robust evidence and practical insight to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. We exist to contribute to the national evidence base needed to shape policy, challenge narratives, and advocate for system-level change. We deliver applied mixed-methods social research that helps organisations, commissioners, and communities understand needs, experiences, and what works to strengthen responses to homelessness.
About the Role
We’re looking to recruit a Senior Practice Development Manager to identify, develop, define and disseminate emerging and positive practice and influence improvements to help end rough sleeping and homelessness in England.
The Senior Practice Development Manager manages a team of Practice Development Managers and reports to the Head of Innovation and Good Practice. This role will operationally lead and coordinate project delivery within Innovation and Good Practice, with project partners, and with other teams at Homeless Link. To ensure the Innovation and Good Practice Team is demonstrating clear and measurable impact.
Other Responsibilities
- Line manage, coach and support Practice Development Managers to deliver on their agreed objectives to a high standard.
- Provide ongoing performance management, support and annual appraisals to direct reports.
- Work with the Head of IGP to organise and facilitate team meetings, away days and other cross-team development activities.
- Oversee delivery of a portfolio of projects and consultancy work delivered by Practice Development Managers and Consultants.
- Quality assure activities and outputs by Practice Development Managers.
- Lead on team project planning, risk management, budget management and monitoring and evaluation (in collaboration with Head of IGP).
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For full details of the role please download our Recruitment Pack. Senior_Practice_Development_Manager_Recruitment_Pack.pdf
About You
We're looking for an experienced manager who can leading and manage projects and programmes of work, to achieve specific outcomes. You will be an hands on line management with the ability to support, coach and develop high performing staff. You will be focused on managing services for people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping or multiple disadvantage.
You will bring experience of:
- Successful planning and management of multiple and conflicting priorities to deliver at pace.
- Planning and delivering projects or other activities in collaboration with other people and organisations.
- Networking, influencing and negotiation skills with experience of building effective, credible relationships internally and externally with people at all levels.
- Strong communication skills, including writing with impact for a range of audiences e.g. blogs, resources, reports and web content.
- Delivering presentations, workshops, training, or other public speaking and/or facilitation.
- Applying effective critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, with a creative approach to generating ideas and developing new ways of working.
- Dealing with information that is sensitive or confidential.
- Using IT systems, including MS Office, on a day-to-day basis.
Location and Working Arrangements
This role can be based at our London Head Office or can be home-based, with flexibility to work remotely. The successful candidate must be willing to travel across the UK when required, including occasional overnight stays.
How to Apply
Please provide your CV with a covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements for the role by answering the following questions:
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- Do you have proven experience of leading practice development or service improvement work that has influenced organisational or sector-wide practice? If yes, please provide a brief example. (max 500 words)
- Do you have experience of directly managing and developing a team, including responsibility for performance management and delivery of objectives? If yes, please provide a brief example. (max 500 words)
The closing date is Monday 19th October 12pm. Applications received after the published closing date will not be considered.
We plan to hold interviews on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th October, remotely over Teams. For any queries about the post, please email recruitment@homelesslink.org.uk
Employee Benefits
Homeless Link is proud to offer a wide range of generous benefits including:
- 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees)
- Enhanced Maternity, Parental, Adoption and Sick Pay schemes
- Enhanced employer pension contributions and Salary Exchange Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Season Ticket Loan scheme
- Access to the Blue Light Card scheme
- Group Life Assurance scheme (4x Scheme Salary benefit)
- Flexible working arrangements
- Commitment to continuous learning and professional development
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Homeless Link is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and actively welcomes applications from people with lived experience of homelessness, people from Black and minority ethnic communities, disabled people and other underrepresented groups. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Applicants that do not submit a covering letter, will not be considered. If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, please contact the recruitment team on the above email address.
Please note: All successful applicants will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK and complete or provide a basic DBS certificate.
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