Service Manager

Location: Buckinghamshire
Working Hours: 37 hours (full-time)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,520 - £50,447

Lead a service that changes lives.

At Waythrough, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthier, more fulfilling life, free from the harms caused by alcohol and drugs.

We’re looking for an experienced, compassionate and inspiring Service Manager to lead the delivery and development of our substance misuse services across Buckinghamshire.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a committed team, build strong partnerships across the local community and ensure people affected by drug and alcohol use receive high-quality, person-centred support that helps them achieve lasting recovery.

Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service - A Partnership Between Inclusion and Waythrough

Transform Lives. Strengthen Communities. Build Recovery Together.

Waythrough are proud to work in partnership with Inclusion NHS to deliver high-quality drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services across Buckinghamshire. We are seeking passionate, committed, and innovative individuals to join our growing multidisciplinary team and help make a real difference to the lives of people affected by substance use.

About the Partnership

The Inclusion and Waythrough partnership brings together extensive experience in delivering evidence-based treatment, recovery support, and community engagement services. Together, we are committed to providing accessible, high-quality care that helps individuals and families achieve lasting positive change.

About the Role

As Service Manager, you will provide strong operational leadership, ensuring high-quality, safe and effective support for people affected by substance misuse.

You'll lead and develop a dedicated multidisciplinary team, oversee service performance and quality, and work closely with commissioners, health services, local authorities and voluntary and community organisations to ensure the service continues to meet the needs of local people.

You'll combine strategic leadership with a strong understanding of frontline delivery, using data, insight and the experience of people who use our services to drive continuous improvement.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced manager who is passionate about recovery, partnership working and making a genuine difference to individuals, families and communities across Buckinghamshire.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the service operationally, ensuring high-quality, safe and person-centred substance misuse support that delivers positive outcomes.
• Inspire and develop a multidisciplinary team, providing effective leadership, supervision, performance management and professional development.
• Build strong partnerships with commissioners, local authorities, NHS services, criminal justice agencies and voluntary and community organisations.
• Drive performance and continuous improvement, using data, insight and service-user feedback to monitor quality, manage resources and identify opportunities for development.
• Champion recovery, safeguarding and inclusion, ensuring the service is accessible, trauma-informed and responsive to the diverse needs of Buckinghamshire's communities.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• Proven management experience within substance misuse, health, social care, mental health, criminal justice or a related field.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, with experience of motivating and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• A sound understanding of substance misuse and recovery, including safeguarding, risk management and the wider factors affecting people's lives.
• Experience managing performance, quality and resources, with the ability to use data and evidence to drive service improvement.
• Excellent communication and partnership-working skills, alongside strong organisational skills, good IT literacy and the flexibility to travel across Buckinghamshire as required.

You'll be an experienced and compassionate leader who is passionate about recovery and committed to ensuring people affected by substance misuse receive the right support at the right time.

If you're ready to lead a service that makes a real difference to people's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band. 

About Waythrough 

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. 

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community 

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change. 

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)

• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%

• Life assurance (3× annual salary)

• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay

• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave

• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications

• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme

• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals

• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus

• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership

• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good

• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility 

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. 

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme  - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [email protected] 

Closing Date: