Job Description: Area Manager
Hours: 30 Hrs per week
Contract Type: Full-time
Location: Sutton
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer
Purpose of the role: The Area Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, safeguarding compliance, quality assurance, and continuous development of Mentor Wise UK's educational, mentoring, leadership, and youth development programmes within their designated region.
The postholder will oversee the planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes designed to support Mentor Wise’s unique four-dimensional mentoring scheme; academic, spiritual, skill, and value-based mentoring that encourages children and young people to become advantageous members of society. They will lead and support Supervisors, Mentors, and Volunteers while developing strong partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, parents, community organisations, and beneficiaries.
The Area Manager plays a key role in ensuring organisational growth, maintaining high-quality programme delivery, and promoting the vision, values, and objectives of Mentor Wise UK.
Travel Requirements: The role requires regular travel across assigned regions, schools, colleges, universities, community centres, youth centres, residential retreats, meetings, conferences, and events throughout the United Kingdom.
3. Main duties and Responsibilities:
A. Leadership and Team Management
The Area Manager will:
- Provide leadership, guidance, and support to Supervisors, Mentors, and Volunteers.
- Conduct regular meetings and performance reviews.
- Monitor staff, mentor and volunteer performance against agreed objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
- Ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, retention, and development of volunteers and mentoring staff.
- Identify training and development needs and coordinate appropriate learning opportunities.
- Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Support succession planning and future leadership development within the organisation.
- Resolve operational challenges and team conflicts in a timely and professional manner.
· Oversee and coordinate the guidance and support activities of Youth Centres operating within the designated area. Responsibility for the development of physical facilities and financial/accounting matters does not fall under the direct remit of the Area Manager.
B. Programme Management and Delivery
The Area Manager is responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of all assigned programmes, including but not limited to:
- KS3 Mentoring
- KS4 Mentoring
- KS5 Mentoring
- University Mentoring
- Youth Leadership
- Career Development/Employability skills
- UCAS Support Services
- Parent Engagement Programmes
- Residential and Day Retreat
- Half-Term Programmes
- Easter, Summer, and Christmas Retreats
- Educational Seminars and Conferences
- University Open Day Visits
- Networking and Career Development Events
The postholder will ensure that programmes are delivered safely, effectively, and in line with Mentor Wise’s policies.
C. Mentee and Mentor Development
The Area Manager will:
- Ensure all mentees are appropriately registered and assigned to suitable mentors.
- Monitor mentee engagement, attendance, and progression.
- Oversee mentoring provision and ensure consistent support for mentees.
- Support GCSE, A-Level, College, and University progression pathways.
- Coordinate academic support, career guidance, university applications, and leadership development opportunities.
- Monitor the wellbeing and development of mentees during the services.
- Identify mentees requiring additional support and ensure appropriate interventions are implemented.
- Encourage active participation in educational, leadership, volunteering, and community engagement activities.
D. Parent and Guardian Engagement
The Area Manager will:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, guardians and family members.
- Coordinate parent/guardian engagement initiatives, workshops, seminars, and information sessions.
- Ensure effective communication with family members regarding mentees’ personal development and programme participation.
- Develop partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, local authorities, youth and community organisations, and faith-based organisations.
- Represent Mentor Wise UK professionally at meetings, conferences, and external events.
- Promote the organisation's services and strengthen its presence within local communities.
E. Events, Retreats, and Educational Activities
The Area Manager will:
- Lead the planning and delivery of educational events, seminars, leadership programmes, conferences, and residential experiences.
- Coordinate holiday programmes, residential retreats, enrichment activities, educational, and university trips.
- Manage participant registration processes and parental consent procedures.
- Ensure appropriate staffing and volunteer allocations for all activities.
- Oversee logistical arrangements, including venues, accommodation, transport, and resources.
- Ensure all events comply with safeguarding, health and safety, and organisational policies.
- Complete post-event evaluations and reports.
F. Safeguarding and Child Protection
Safeguarding is a fundamental responsibility of this role.
The Area Manager will:
- Ensure compliance with Mentor Wise UK Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
- Promote a culture of safeguarding across all programmes and activities.
- Ensure all staff and volunteers hold valid DBS checks and mandatory safeguarding training.
- Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs).
- Report and manage safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.
- Maintain safeguarding records and documentation.
- Ensure risk assessments are completed and reviewed for all activities and events.
- Promote the safety, wellbeing, and protection of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
G. Budget and Financial Management
The Area Manager will:
- Contribute to annual budget planning and forecasting.
- Monitor expenditure and ensure financial accountability.
- Manage budgets relating to programmes, events, retreats, and activities.
- Ensure value for money and responsible use of organisational resources.
- Support fundraising initiatives and partnership development opportunities.
- Assist in identifying new funding opportunities to support organisational growth.
H. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
The Area Manager will:
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
- Monitor programme outcomes and impact measures.
- Analyse participation, attendance, and performance data.
- Track regional KPIs and organisational targets.
- Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Contribute to organisational reviews, audits, and strategic planning processes.
I. Organisational Growth and Strategic Development
The Area Manager will:
- Support the expansion of Mentor Wise UK programmes into new communities and regions.
- Develop new partnerships and collaborative opportunities.
- Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development.
- Support volunteer recruitment campaigns and leadership development initiatives.
- Promote innovation and continuous improvement across all services.
Pay: £24,500.00-£25,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
