Autism Aim Service Manager

Volunteer Centre; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent advocacy charity in Leeds is looking for an experienced Autism AIM Service Manager to lead their service supporting autistic adults. The role involves managing a dedicated staff team, overseeing project delivery, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and quality standards. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills, a commitment to advocacy principles, and extensive experience in managing teams and budgets. Benefits include flexible working, annual leave, and a supportive environment.

Benefits

Up to 31 days annual leave

Access to cashback health plans

Employee Support scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Significant experience of managing services, projects, and teams.
• Experience working in partnership with service users and stakeholders.
• Experience managing budgets, funding, and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Autism AIM service, staff team, and volunteers.
• Chair and work closely with the AIM Steering Group.
• Develop and deliver the annual AIM Service Delivery Plan.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Knowledge of autism

Experience in project management

Job description

Location: Advonetoffice at The Unity Business Centre, with flexible working.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and values-driven Autism Aim Service manager to lead our Autism Aim Service.

About the role

The Autism AIM Service Manager is a senior leadership role within The Advonet Group and a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT). You will lead the Autism AIM service, ensuring it continues to be co‑produced with autistic people and delivers high‑quality, impactful support.

Autism AIM supports autistic adults who may otherwise fall through gaps in services. The service reaches over 1,000 autistic people each year and is recognised nationally.

You will be expected to

• Lead and manage the Autism AIM service, staff team, and volunteers
• Chair and work closely with the AIM Steering Group to ensure autistic voices drive service development
• Develop and deliver the annual AIM Service Delivery Plan in line with Advonet’s Business Plan
• Oversee projects, budgets, contracts, and reporting to funders
• Ensure high standards of quality, safeguarding, data protection, and compliance
• Build and maintain partnerships to improve access, influence services, and promote AIM’s impact
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to service development and innovation
• Contribute strategically as a member of Advonet’s Senior Leadership Team

Working arrangements include at least one day per week in the office, fortnightly attendance at the Chapeltown hub (4.00pm–7.30pm), and occasional evening or weekend meetings.

We are looking for someone who has

• Significant experience of managing services, projects, and teams
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to empower and support staff and volunteers
• Experience of working in partnership with service users and stakeholders
• Knowledge of autism, co‑production, and inclusive service design
• Experience of managing budgets, funding, and reporting requirements
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem‑solving skills
• A strong commitment to advocacy principles, equality, diversity, and inclusion

About Us

Established in 1998, The Advonet Group is an independent advocacy charity based in Leeds. The Advonet Group is comprised of statutory and non‑statutory advocacy services and specialist inclusion services (Asking You!, CHANGE and Leeds Autism Aim). All our services support individuals to have their voices heard and their rights upheld.

We are united in our commitment to uphold the nationally recognised advocacy principles and have a diverse staff team of 80 people working within the organisation. We are a disability confident and Mindful Employer with Investors in People and Volunteers and have achieved the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark.

The Advonet Group values and respects the diversity of backgrounds, experiences and knowledge that staff, volunteers and job applicants bring. All our staff undertake mandatory training on both Equality and Diversity and LGBTQ+ Awareness to increase awareness and understanding of discrimination both in and out of the workplace, with a view to reduce the impact this has on our colleagues and the wider community. This creates a workplace where staff feel comfortable to be themselves and empowers them, and our service users, to use their unique experiences to inform their work.

Benefits of working with us

• Up to 31 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Access to a cashback health plans and Employee Support scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment

Closing date

Wednesday 14th January 2026

Interviews to be held on

Thursday 22nd January 2026

To apply for this role please complete The Advonet Group Application Form and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form, which can be found on the links on this page, along with a detailed job description and person specification (CVs will not be accepted).