Youth and Play Service Manager

Youth and Play Service Manager Why Southwark? In Southwark, we’re proud to be a borough that’s ambitious for its people and its place — and determined to tackle inequality and injustice. That commitment shapes how we work, how we lead, and how we serve our communities. Our Youth and Play Service is central to that ambition. It includes three youth centres and three adventure playgrounds, a large and diverse commissioning programme, and Southwark’s key youth voice structures — including the Youth Parliament and our borough-wide Youth Digital Hub — so young people can shape decisions and access positive opportunities. Southwark isn’t standing still. We continue to invest in young people and the buildings that support them, with capital investment in youth centres and adventure playgrounds alongside strong commissioning and partnership work. For leaders in the sector, this is a chance to shape high-profile community assets and see your ideas translated into real, felt improvements for young people and communities. This is a role for someone who believes that every young person should feel they belong, be safe, be heard, and have access to positive activities and opportunities — and who wants to lead the systems, partnerships and services that make that real at scale. You’ll be joining a council that values openness, accountability and fairness, and that expects its leaders to help make Southwark more equal and just. What You'll Be Doing The Youth and Play Service Manager is a senior, borough-shaping leadership role. You’ll be responsible for developing and delivering Youth and Play Services across Southwark, aligning them with corporate priorities and driving continuous improvement. This is a strategic, outward-facing post. You’ll work with key partners across the council and beyond to embed learning from the London Youth Transformation pilot into service improvements — strengthening commissioning, quality assurance and impact, and building young people’s voice into design and decision-making. You’ll lead service planning and redesign and coordinate youth and play programmes so delivery is joined up and effective. You’ll be accountable for the safe, smooth day-to-day running of our direct youth provision, alongside commissioning and grant programmes, procurement activity, and significant capital investment programmes for youth and play buildings. You’ll oversee a portfolio of council owned assets, manage complex risks, and secure external funding opportunities. You’ll also provide professional advice to senior officers and elected members and deputise for the Head of Culture when required. In this role, you will : Set the direction for Youth and Play and lead service improvement, including business planning, service reviews and change programmes that strengthen quality, consistency and outcomes. Align in-house delivery, commissioned provision and cross-council activity, building strong partnerships (schools, VCSE, health/public health and others) to deliver a joined-up offer. Champion youth voice and co-production, embedding young people’s lived experience in service design, delivery and wider council decision-making. Ensure the day-to-day operation of our directly delivered youth centres and adventure playgrounds is safe, well-run and compliant, with strong safeguarding, health & safety and risk management. Lead youth and play commissioning, grants and procurement, with robust performance, outcomes and contract management to assure quality, value for money and impact. Deliver and de-risk capital investment programmes for youth centres and adventure playgrounds, ensuring buildings are safe, welcoming, fit for purpose and future-ready. Source and secure external funding and income opportunities to support sustainability and growth of the youth and play offer. Provide clear, confident professional advice to senior officers and elected members on youth and play matters. Lead, support and develop your senior management team, creating a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture. What We're Looking For We’re looking for a strategic, values‑led leader who combines strong system leadership with a deep understanding of what great youth and play services look like on the ground. You will bring : Degree‑level qualification or equivalent through relevant experience, alongside continued professional and leadership development. In‑depth knowledge of youth and play services, including current challenges, risks and opportunities, and experience of service redesign and innovation. Senior management experience within a large or complex organisation, with responsibility for staff leadership and substantial budgets. A strong track record of leading complex programmes and change in a political or partnership environment. Experience of commissioning, procurement and contract management, with the confidence to work with a wide range of providers. Sound financial management skills, including oversight of revenue budgets of £1m+