Suicide is the leading cause of death of men under 35. Three quarters of those who die by suicide are men. James' Place exists to save the lives of men in suicidal crisis through delivering clinical services. We currently have centres in Newcastle, Liverpool and London; and in early 2026 we will be opening our fourth centre in Birmingham. Our new centre in Birmingham will be there to support suicidal men living in the West Midlands.
We offer men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis a brief, intensive, therapeutic intervention in a safe environment. Our trained, professional therapists deliver a proven clinical service in a warm and welcoming environment, ensuring that men are seen quickly at the point of crisis. We have so far treated over 3,600 men who might otherwise have been unable to access the support they desperately need.
Our proven, evidence-based service is designed for men who have arrived at a crisis point in response to predominantly social and psychological stressors, such as debt, bereavement, loneliness and relationship problems. We do not replicate or replace existing statutory services but instead work closely with the local NHS and wider services to ensure men who need our service can be referred quickly to us; we commit to seeing men within two working days of referral.
The charity was set up by Clare Milford Haven and Nick Wentworth-Stanley in 2008 after their twenty-one-year-old son, James, died by suicide ten days after a minor operation. James had no history of mental illness or depression and had sought urgent help for anxiety and suicidal thoughts but didn't find it. We exist to make sure that men get help when they need it most.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a driven and experienced manager to oversee the operational side of our new Birmingham Centre. This is a pivotal role within the team which focuses on coordinating activity across the service to ensure the safe and effective delivery of our intervention.
The successful candidate will manage the day to day running of the James' Place centre, with oversight from the Birmingham Head of Centre. You will manage the centre environment through both resource management and by influencing and driving local culture. The Centre Manager is responsible for line management of the Clinical Administrators and overseeing the processing of referrals to the service, ensuring men coming to James' Place are welcomed warmly, within the expected timeframe and according to our values.
This is a new role and during their first months in post, the Centre Manager will work closely with the James' Place Head Office Team to prepare James' Place Birmingham for a successful launch.
Key Responsibilities
Centre Launch
Work alongside the Head Office team to support the successful launch of the new centre.
Work with the Expansion Manager to ensure the centre building is ready for the service launch.
Support the recruitment and induction of Administrative staff to the new centre.
Day-to-day Centre Operations
Manage and lead the Clinical Administration team and support the wider centre team.
Maintain and manage the physical environment of the centre to ensure it remains a high quality, inclusive and welcoming environment.
Work with the Head of Centre to influence and drive the culture of the centre, in accordance with our values.
Monitor and maintain a safe, healthy and secure working environment and act upon any health and safety risks, including the operation of practice appliances - heating, lighting, telephone equipment, security equipment, computers, photocopiers, lock and unlock premises, and set (unset) alarm system.
Contact with people who are distressed, maintaining a positive approach with all people who are seeking support from our services.
Deal with enquiries, book appointments and process online referrals.
Support clients to access information about and make contact with partner organisations.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with IT contractors, ensuring service continuity and raise any performance issues in a timely and professional manner.
General management of office, reception and public areas (including our garden space).
Administrative Responsibilities
Maintain an effective appointment and room allocation system, ensuring all the resources at James' Place are used efficiently.
Collate and gather information to support the effective evaluation and monitoring of James' Place' work.
Facilitate team meetings and caseload review meetings, taking minutes when needed.
Work with the Administrative team and Senior Management team to ensure that the charity's work is delivered safely and effectively.
Make and record payments, invoices and bills in accordance with James` Place financial policies and procedures.
Liaise with the Head of Finance to ensure the centre's operations run to budget.
Provide administrative support and diary management to the Head of Centre Birmingham as required.
Line Management
Manage, support and lead the Clinical Administration team, encouraging staff to develop and grow.
Conduct regular supervision meetings, probationary reviews and appraisals as required.
Provide support to access training and other developmental activities.
Confidently identify and sensitively communicate areas for development.
Support staff wellbeing.
Volunteer Management
Manage the local strategy for the recruitment and retention of volunteers.
Identify and develop new volunteering opportunities, matching the skills, experiences and expectations of volunteers to available positions.
Arrange training opportunities as appropriate.
Conduct performance review and evaluation as appropriate.
Develop ways to reward and recognise volunteer contribution.
Keep appropriate records as required.
Roster and organise volunteers.
Project Work
Actively and effectively contribute to project work across the organisation in collaboration with other teams.
Manage any resourcing, building or administrative improvements that are required for the effective running of the Birmingham centre.
Once the Birmingham centre is established, support the delivery of a peer support group for men who have completed the James' Place intervention.
Fundraising, Outreach and Partnerships
Work with the Head of Centre and therapists to increase contact with local community organisations to develop awareness of each other's services.
Facilitate, plan and review small outreach projects to drive self-referrals to James' Place Birmingham from at-risk communities of men.
Support the Head of Centre and therapists to establish and sustain key referral partnerships across NHS services and VCSE sector.
Work with the fundraising team to bring potential supporters into the centre and showcase our work, including the facilitation of events.
Person Specification
This role requires someone with excellent organisational, problem-solving and interpersonal skills who can work hands-on in a busy and potentially challenging environment. You will be collaborative and work closely with the local team and wider charity outside the Birmingham centre to ensure we have consistent and effective systems in place. This would include other Centre Managers in other James' Place centres in the UK, the Senior Management Team, and potentially Trustees.
We are looking for a forward thinking and proactive individual with experience of both people and operational management. The successful candidate will align with the James' Place values of Focus, Respect, Bravery, Professionalism, Compassion, Collaboration and Hope, and be able to demonstrate these through everyday practices including supportive leadership and line management.
Your management and administrative skills will be highly valued in sustaining the clinical operations of James' Place. You will need to be proficient in Office 365 software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with the ability to manage Outlook cloud calendars, SharePoint, CRM databases, and shared inboxes.
The Centre Manager will often meet the men who come to James' Place in suicidal crisis and so you will be able to demonstrate empathy and an ability to create a sense of calm while working in a sensitive and busy environment.
Essential Skills and Experience
Experience managing and leading teams and individuals
Excellent administrative and office management experience
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage difficult situations
Good line management skills and experience
Able to supervise and train volunteers
Able to prioritise workload (self and others) and meet deadlines
Self-motivated, uses own initiative and forward-thinking
Good time management skills
Ability to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures
Knowledge of service governance and evaluation
Commitment to working with men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis and their supporters
An ability to maintain up to date service user records in line with James' Place standards
An ability to maintain own personal safety and the safety of others within the centre
Desirable Skills and Experience
Experience of working in a therapeutic environment or health-based setting
First Aid (Mental Health and Emergency) training
Fire Marshal and Health & Safety training
Good presentation skills
We offer
Generous pension scheme
Family friendly policies
Death in service insurance scheme
Generous leave entitlement including enhanced holiday allowance with incremental rises after qualifying period.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining why you are applying for this role to
ASKHR@jamesplace.org.uk
It is important to demonstrate you have the knowledge, skills and experience we are looking for in your CV and cover letter. Please keep your cover letter to less than 2 sides of A4.
Closing date for applications -
9am
on
Wednesday 24th September
2025
Interviews will be held in early October.
If you wish to discuss the role further before applying, please call 0203 4888 404 and ask to speak with Rosie Barrett.
Any job offers made are subject to the receipt of two relevant satisfactory employment references. We expect this to include one from your most recent or current employer. Any job offers made are also subject to a satisfactory DBS check and a Right to Work in the UK check.
James' Place is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community. Our aim is that no job applicant, temporary worker, or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender and transgender status, race and ethnicity, religion, and belief (including no belief), marriage or civil partnership status or sexual orientation. If you have a disability which means you'd benefit from any adjustments to the interview process to help you perform at your best, please do let us know in advance.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: 33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Company pension
Work Location: In person
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