Interim Service Manager

Step into a pivotal leadership role with a well-regarded care provider in West Yorkshire, supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. This is a 12-month secondment opportunity offering a competitive salary between £47,000 and £53,000, leading a stable service that achieved a good CQC rating last year.

About the Role

As Contract Service Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the safe, effective and person-centred delivery of support across a defined group of service users. You will ensure services meet contractual obligations, maintain high-quality standards and deliver positive outcomes for the people supported. Working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, you will drive continuous improvement and uphold regulatory and commissioning requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary staff team to deliver high-quality, person-centred support.
• Oversee day-to-day operational management of services, ensuring safe staffing, effective rota planning and continuity of care.
• Monitor and manage service performance against contractual obligations and service level agreements, implementing action plans where required.
• Conduct regular service reviews and audits, ensuring ongoing compliance with CQC standards and internal policies.
• Manage and resolve complex staff and service user issues, including conflict situations, in a timely and professional manner.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, families, advocates and other external partners.
• Analyse performance data and produce clear reports for senior management, highlighting risks, trends and improvement opportunities.
• Lead and support change initiatives, embedding best practice and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Requirements:

• Proven experience in a service management or similar leadership role within adult social care.
• Strong background in managing services for people with learning disabilities, autism and/or physical disabilities.
• Demonstrable experience in team leadership, supervision and performance management.
• Track record of managing services to at least a good CQC rating or equivalent regulatory standard.
• Experience of working to, and managing, service level agreements and contractual performance measures.
• Strong conflict resolution skills, with the ability to handle complex staff, family and stakeholder situations.
• Excellent organisational, planning and prioritisation skills in a multi-service environment.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence, negotiate and build effective relationships at all levels.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience managing services across multiple sites or dispersed teams.
• Involvement in commissioning discussions, contract reviews or tender processes.
• Knowledge of positive behaviour support approaches.
• Experience of leading service improvement or transformation projects.
• Competence in using care management systems and data reporting tools.

Qualifications

• Relevant health and social care qualification (e.g. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care, or equivalent).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership, management or quality improvement.
• Management or leadership qualification (e.g. ILM or equivalent) – preferred.
• Full UK driving licence – preferred, depending on service locations.

If you are a confident, values-driven leader ready to take ownership of a high-performing West Yorkshire service on a 12-month secondment, you are encouraged to apply