Location: Southampton, Hampshire (Applicants must live within commutable distance)
Duration: 9 months FTC
Salary: Competitive salary

The Opportunity
We are looking for an experienced and proactive Interim Service Manager to support our Southampton operations during an exciting period of business growth.

This is a key opportunity for a confident operational leader who can provide strong management oversight, support the development of our services and ensure that quality, compliance and person-centred care remain at the heart of everything we do.

As our business expands, you will play an important role in ensuring our services continue to operate effectively, our teams feel supported and motivated, and the people we support continue to receive excellent care and support.

You will need to be adaptable, organised and confident working in a fast-paced environment, balancing operational priorities with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and support successful service development.

In this role, you will:

• Provide effective operational leadership and management support across our Southampton services.
• Support business growth and service development, ensuring new opportunities are implemented successfully.
• Maintain high standards of care, support, safeguarding, compliance and quality assurance throughout a period of growth.
• Provide visible leadership, guidance and support to Service Managers and frontline teams.
• Monitor service performance, identify areas for improvement and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Support recruitment, workforce planning and the development of strong, effective teams.
• Build positive relationships with the people we support, families, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with the wider operational leadership team to deliver business objectives.
• Ensure services remain safe, effective, well-led and focused on achieving positive outcomes.
• Lead through change, providing stability, direction and consistency during a period of development and expansion.

What You'll Bring

• Significant management experience within health and social care, ideally across supported living or residential services.
• A strong understanding of CQC requirements, safeguarding and quality standards.
• Experience managing services through periods of change, growth or development.
• The ability to provide effective operational oversight while maintaining a hands-on approach.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, influence and develop teams.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, service improvement and operational challenges.
• NVQ Level 5 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it.

Above all, you'll bring energy, resilience and strong operational leadership, with the ability to support our continued growth while ensuring quality and excellent care are never compromised.

Why Join Lifeways?
This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a key interim leadership role at an exciting time for Lifeways, helping shape and support the continued development of our Southampton services.

You will have the opportunity to make a real difference, providing stability, direction and leadership while supporting our business to grow successfully.

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing business.
• Support from an experienced wider operational leadership team.
• A positive, values-led culture where your contribution is recognised.
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health support resources.
• Recognition schemes that celebrate your impact.
• Retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through CHOICE Rewards.

Our values guide everything we do: Caring - Honest - One Team - Innovative - Courageous - Equal.