We are seeking a self-starting and motivated Centre Development Manager. Ambleside Parish Centre is an innovative hub for community engagement and social action in a rural setting. Brought into being almost 25 years ago through the vision of the Anglican and Methodist churches in Ambleside partnering together, with volunteers drawn from across the local area, and offering a wide range of social and supportive activities.
We pride ourselves on being a vibrant centre, where there is always a warm welcome regardless of age, faith, or personal circumstance. APC oversees a range of community projects (Food Club - a waste prevention and food support cafe, All Together Now and Stories Together - for folk new to the UK, Evergreens - an older persons social and wellbeing group, Dementia Hub, Youth Club - with paid youth workers, Cedar Counselling offering free and low-cost counselling to local people) as well as hosting a wide variety of other community groups, fitness classes, away days, and business hires.
We need someone who can work with the existing team of staff and volunteers to manage the oversight of the building, with a keen eye for governance, finance, and building management. You'll be leading on grant funding and working with the directors on the strategic direction of the centre. An understanding of the complexities of working within the third sector would be a distinct advantage, as well as an ability to know when your skill set could be supported by others in the staff or volunteer team.
The right person will:
1. Share in and help to shape the vision of the parish centre as a welcoming and lively Community Venue, alongside the directors and volunteers.
2. Be a welcoming and watchful presence in the centre, representing the Parish Centre to all who use it.
3. Provide leadership across the centre, relating well to staff and volunteers, and building effective teams to ensure the smooth running of the centre, ensuring delegation is undertaken when appropriate to develop the skills of others, and to ensure a flourishing team.
4. Work alongside the Methodist and Anglican churches in Ambleside on community projects across the campus, ensuring strong teamwork for the benefit of everyone in the local community.
5. Ensure excellent liaison and relationship with local businesses, organisations, and grant funders.
6. Be comfortable leading and relating to a wide range of people, including those who are vulnerable or facing challenging circumstances.
7. Hold responsibility for ensuring all relevant legislation is adhered to, including ensuring policies and procedures are up to date, for example, safeguarding, health and safety, and GDPR, and ensure policies and procedures are embedded in the culture of the centre.
8. Support the events and facilities coordinator in maintaining links with our diverse user groups and the wider community.
9. Offer an entrepreneurial leadership approach to starting new activities, both for financial stability and community benefit.
10. Creatively seek opportunities to develop the work of the centre alongside the marginalised, engaging with volunteer teams or partner agencies to support and expand the current provision of centre-managed projects for the benefit of the wider community.
11. Oversee and manage required works of repair to the building, utilising volunteer teams or tradespeople as necessary and appropriate, and working with a project manager for larger scale redevelopments as necessary.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
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