Lead Manager

Homeless Link; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A social service organization in Greater London is seeking a Lead Manager to oversee the delivery of Individual Placement Support services. The role involves leading teams, managing contracts and performance, and promoting client employment opportunities. Ideal candidates will have experience in employment support services and strong leadership skills. Benefits include generous holidays, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities. Apply by completing the online application form.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Pension contributions

Excellent development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Life assurance

Discount and loan benefits

Qualifications

• Experience managing contracts and KPIs for employment support services.
• A good understanding of the IPS model and its application.
• Experience leading and developing teams supporting complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of the IPS service.
• Manage delivery teams and ensure effective integration with partners.
• Promote employment roles within clinical teams.

Skills

Experience delivering employment support services

Understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model

Experience in a leadership or management role

Stakeholder management skills

Excellent communication and organisation skills

Job description

Closing date: 25/01/2026
Interview date: 05/02/2026
Ref LMIPS - 0126

Whatever your experience of street homelessness and its impact on people’s lives – personal or professional – when you join the Thames Reach team as a Lead Manager, we will make the best use of all your understanding, compassion and commitment.

About us…

Thames Reach runs projects and services that help to end homelessness in and around London. We work directly with homeless people on the streets and in hostels. We work to prevent vulnerable people from becoming homeless. We help formerly homeless people get their lives back on track. We help people find work and access training and volunteering opportunities.

Is our mission easy? No, but we never give up on people. Last year we helped more than 15,000 people.

Is our work rewarding? Yes, in every sense. We’re listed as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK. There’s no better place to develop or transfer your skills and build a fulfilling career.

About this role…

We are looking for a Lead Manager to join the Individual Placement Support Team.

Prevention services support vulnerable people by providing them with skills, housing advice, accommodation, and tenancy sustainment support. All these services to help people transition towards leading independent lives.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions.

You will:

• Lead the operational delivery of an integrated IPS service, ensuring programme outcomes and contractual targets are met or exceeded.
• Manage and support delivery teams, promoting effective integration and joint working with NHS and clinical partners.
• Promote the role of employment within clinical teams, raising expectations around clients’ ability to achieve paid work.
• Ensure services achieve and maintain good fidelity to the evidence-based IPS model, including preparation for service reviews.
• Use performance data, service feedback, and evaluation to identify gaps, drive service improvements, and support future growth.
• Oversee the collection, quality assurance, and submission of accurate service data to funders and stakeholders.

You will have:

• Experience delivering employment support services, including managing contracts, performance, and people to achieve KPIs and outcomes.
• A good understanding of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, including its practical application, fidelity standards, and review processes.
• Experience in a leadership or management role, with responsibility for line management, supervision, and staff development.
• Experience in leading and motivating teams supporting people with complex needs.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including working with commissioners, partners, and funders.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and reporting skills, with the ability to work independently and use initiative.

We are listed in the top 100 UK Best Workplaces 2023 in the UK. As part of a commitment to our employees we offer:

• Generous holiday allowance – 29 days per year plus 8 public holidays (pro rata).
• Pension – we contribute 6.5% to your pension when you contribute 1.5%.
• Excellent development opportunities – career progression, regular supervision and appraisals, and learning programmes to support your career with Thames Reach.
• Wellbeing support – our 24/7 employee assistance programme and opportunities for TOIL.
• Life assurance – four times your annual salary and critical illness cover.
• Other benefits including a blue light discount card, interest free season ticket and cycle to work loans.

Thames Reach is committed to achieving a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We value, respect, and celebrate diversity. We welcome and encourage applicants from all sections of the community regardless of their history of homelessness, sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religious belief.

To apply visit our website and complete our application form.

For further information please contact, Ruth Shepherd, Service Manager via our website.

Thames Reach is committed to safeguarding. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre‑employment screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Having a criminal record will not exclude you from applying but you will be asked to provide further details as most posts are considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.