About the Role
We are looking for an exceptional person to join us as Community Opportunities Area Manager. This senior role will head the development and delivery of innovative, community-based services for people with disabilities. You will help shape the Community Opportunities Strategy, driving a modern, prevention-focused model that supports independence and meaningful outcomes. You will lead teams who deliver Day Opportunities, Inclusive Employment Job Coaching and wider community services for people with a disability. You will create welcoming spaces that promote wellbeing and connection.

Please note that this is a fixed term 18 month contract.

Main duties of the job
As a senior leader, you will:

• Lead and transform services
• Drive independence and opportunity for people with disabilities
• Develop and lead high-performing teams

About us
Lincolnshire County Council, is one of the largest employers in the county. We are an organisation that embraces diversity, innovation and progress. We value our people and want to ensure that we can support you in joining and growing with us.

We will view you as an integral member of our community and recognise that your well-being is paramount. To show our appreciation, weve crafted a competitive package designed to not only acknowledge your hard work but also foster a healthy work-life balance.

From health benefits and retirement plans, we strive to provide a package that supports well-being and financial stability and that meets the diverse needs of our workforce.

We want everyone who works with us to feel included and celebrate their uniqueness. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and promoting good relations for both employee and for the people of Lincolnshire.

People often say every day is a learning day and at LCC a culture of learning is something we really believe in. We recognise the importance of supporting your learning and development and can offer a variety of different learning opportunities depending on what is right for you and the organisation. This could be through your everyday tasks, through hands-on experience, structured programs, formal qualifications, coaching, or informal learning opportunities.

Date posted: 15 July 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £52,413 to £60,050 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 18 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working
Reference number: F0067-26000512693330

Job responsibilities
PURPOSE OF JOB:
Lead the development of a range of preventative and community-based support for people with a learning disability, autism and other health conditions, including maximising independence, pathways to employment and support to family carers.

Provide leadership within the ACCW directorate for the Councils Community Opportunities strategy, supporting the development of the hub-and-spoke delivery model, County wide across internal and externally commissioned services.

Lead on service development and overall management of the in-house Community Opportunities Service, provide support and expertise to other providers across the county.

Provide leadership and direction to the service; champion and promote an ambitious vision and take a lead role in the implementation of a strategic plan for the in-house service.

Provide day to day management of and direction to team leaders across the service promoting effective performance.

Create a can-do culture of flexibility and innovation across the workforce.

Ensure that aspects of the service are operated within relevant legal, safety and best practice frameworks, including food preparation, workshops and libraries

Raise the aspirations and expectations of all key stake holders, including people accessing community opportunities their families, staff and other professionals.

Establish and provide effective leadership for the connect to work service, meeting DWP performance targets and quality standards

Detailed Responsibilities

• Lead the operational management of in-house Community Opportunities services. Ensure the service provided is within a positive, welcoming, and excellently presented environment that can be enjoyed by people using the service and that the Council can be proud to share with local communities.
• Lead the implementation of a transformation strategy for Community Opportunities, to meet the councils target operating model for adult social care.
• Lead the development and implementation of employment support services for people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and those leaving care who face barriers to accessing employment. Meet the DWP requirements under the memorandum of understanding in terms of service delivery, performance and quality.
• Provide support for and develop a range of opportunities for family carers, promoting independence and linking effectively with Carers Support Service.
• Develop and grow the Maximising Independence Service. Ensure the Maximising Independence service is available to those individuals across the county who will most benefit from time limited outcome focussed support that prevents or reduces their reliance on formal care services.
• Create, and promote a positive and progressive can-do culture, characterised by customer care, flexibility, and innovation. Ensure the service is adept, seeks out and forms positive partnerships within and beyond the County Council. Act as an expert specialist resource to support the development of community-led solutions build local capacity to reduce reliance on formal services, fostering resilience and sustainable support networks.
• Deputise for the Head of Service, Early Action and Support as required.
• Ensure the service and the people who access the service are safeguarded free from abuse and harm. Adhere to Making Safeguarding Personal as per directorate policy and procedures. Ensure the service adheres to the Skills for Care (SfC) Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.
• Act as a role model providing effective leadership and inspiration for all areas of responsibility, promoting the Council's values and behaviours.
• Manage budgets for all aspects of the service and ensure effective resource allocation across the service, working with finance teams to achieve value for money and efficiency.
• Ensure LCC in-house Community Opportunities meet all statutory and regulatory requirements, including Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, and maintain oversight of statutory compliance under the Care Act 2014.
• Coordinate with commissioning teams to inform service specifications and contract management for external providers delivering community opportunities. Support the delivery of the County community opportunities strategy, providing expertise and knowledge across the hub-and-spoke model.
• Develop existing performance management frameworks to ensure they align with the directorates objectives, lead on delivery of measuring impact of secondary prevention services across the county.
• Identify opportunities for external funding and lead the development of business cases and implementation plans that strengthen the prevention offer in the county.
• Ensure robust business continuity and emergency response plans are in place for all in-house services, including regular testing and review of contingency arrangements.
• Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion across all services, ensuring equitable access, culturally competent practice, and compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Lead workforce development initiatives across the service area, ensuring staff have appropriate skills, knowledge, and competencies to deliver high-quality person-centred and outcome-focused support.
• Report progress of service transformation and performance through LCC governance processes, involving Executive members, Executive Director, Assistant Director and Heads of Service as appropriate. This will include ACCW Improvement Programme, Directorate leadership teams as appropriate.
• Ensure management of LCC buildings in a safe and effective way.
• Lead on ensuring the wellbeing and safety of people who attend community opportunity services, including staff, volunteers, families and carers.
• Ensure that legal, safety and industry best practice is followed in the specialist aspects of the service in particular the preparation of food, workshops and library provision.

Qualifications
Essential

• Professional qualification in Social Work, Social Care, or related field with management qualification/substantial Professional registration with body in relevant field (e.g., Social Work England).
• Senior management experience.
• Track record of developing innovative community-based services and leading public service transformation.
• Experience managing large teams and budgets while implementing strategic change programs.
• Effective motivational leadership skills with ability to deliver strategic priorities within strict timescales.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).