Area Manager – London

Area Manager – London

Location: London (based at one of our services with travel across the region – expenses paid)

Working Hours: 37 hours (full-time)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £49,000 – £57,000

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.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier and more independent lives?

Join Waythrough, one of the UK’s leading drug and alcohol, mental health and social support charities, and make a lasting impact every day.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and confident Area Manager to support and oversee services across our London region. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring services remain stable, effective, and responsive to the needs of the communities we support.

You will collaborate with service managers, regional leaders, partners and key stakeholders to ensure the effective delivery of high-quality support for individuals experiencing issues related to substance use, mental health, and other social challenges, alongside support for their families and communities.

This role requires someone who can hit the ground running, supporting multiple services and managing risk across a complex and fast-paced environment.

You will report directly to the Head of Services and play a crucial role in maintaining strong operational performance across the region.

The role is site-based, with travel across London required (expenses paid).

Key Responsibilities

Provide leadership and oversight across services in the London region

Support service managers to maintain safe, effective and high-quality service delivery

Manage operational risks and ensure services remain compliant with relevant policies and regulations

Work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders across the region

Ensure services are responsive to the needs of service users and local communities

Support teams to achieve the best possible outcomes for people accessing our services

About You

We are looking for a strong operational leader with experience in substance misuse services and/or delivering mental health supported accommodation services who can confidently manage multiple services.

You will have:

Significant leadership experience, ideally including area or multi-service management overseeing multiple teams

Experience managing teams within substance misuse services and/ or supported accommodation

A strong understanding of current drug policy and relevant Government strategies

A robust knowledge of CQC standards

You will have experience in contract and stakeholder management

The ability to manage risk and maintain service stability in a complex operational environment

An understanding of providing support services to people with multiple disadvantages

A recognised management qualification (e.g. Level 5 in Management/Leadership) or equivalent experience

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:

2026-05-22