Job Description

Community Centre Manager

Shrewsbury House is a Grade II listed building originally built in 1923 as a private dwelling but now owned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG). It has been run as a community centre since 1968.

Shrewsbury House Community Association (SHCA) is a registered charity overseen by a Board of Trustees drawn from House users, local residents, and people with specialist skills or experience.

Shrewsbury House is a community centre, offering a variety of spaces for hire to a diverse range of local groups providing regular health and wellbeing activities and services, with community-based, not for profit groups being given significant discounts. Rooms are also hired for meetings, parties, weddings, funeral receptions and other special events.

Community Centre Manager -

The Community Centre Manager has day to day responsibility for the operation of the House, the management of the staff and the development and delivery of services. The manager reports to a Board of Trustees, and will support the Board in implementing strategic decisions and policies, and assisting it to fulfil its responsibilities for proper governance and legal compliance.

Key responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership and Management

Ensure SHCA is positioned as a recognised, resilient, and inclusive community hub. To work with the Board to draw up and implement a detailed business plan and to meet the strategic aims as agreed. To agree actions and drive progress against the objectives set in the business plan and provide regular detailed reports to the Board at monthly Board meetings (on Tuesday evenings). To seek and apply for new sources of funding to support the strategic aims. To lead the staff team in order to manage the day to day operation of the House efficiently and effectively. To manage staffing and recruitment and ensure that staff appraisals, performance reviews, training and other HR matters are carried out as required. Develop a sustainable financial model for our Garden cafe, through creation of a separate legal entity. To develop a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Garden Cafe CIC, ensuring accurate reporting and delivery of agreed outcomes. Manage finance, administration, building maintenance and environmental performance. Advise the Board on requirements and updates from the Charity Commission, Companies House and HMRC to ensure that it fulfils legal, statutory and regulatory responsibilities. Maintain robust governance, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC, and funder requirements. Lead on building strategic relationships with Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG), local councillors and key partners Ensure that SHCA meets the conditions of the Service Level Agreement with Royal Borough of Greenwich.

2. Community & Partnership Development

Strengthen SHCA's visibility and reputation as a community hub at the heart of Shooters Hill. Support income diversification through efficient room utilisation, private hire growth, and partnerships. Oversee an annual calendar of House events, providing onsite leadership and coordination at each event as required. Foster positive relationships with community groups, funders, and partner organisations. To ensure inclusion and outreach are embedded across SHCA's offer, widening participation among under-represented groups. Promote the House and Garden to the wider community by creating an effective communications strategy including newsletters, website, social media and print. Develop and support an effective volunteer programme. Oversee the cafe and bar operations, ensuring all agreed Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are met Liaise and collaborate with other Community Centres, with other cultural and education bodies within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and more widely, as appropriate.

3. Finance

Oversee the banking and financial recording systems and ensure that invoicing, debtors, payments, including payroll, PAYE and pensions, are managed effectively using Quickbooks and other software packages. To make detailed monthly financial reports to the Board. To provide information for preparation of the SHCA annual accounts and liaise with auditors/external examiners. To ensure that all necessary documentation for funding bodies, Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC and others as required is provided in a timely manner. To manage the operation and compliance of contracts for services which may from time to time be entered into. To negotiate costs and charges with external suppliers, hirers and internal stakeholders.

4. Administration

To ensure that bookings, records, policies and procedures are kept up to date and managed effectively. To act as the registered contact for the Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC, the Information Commissioner and other relevant bodies. To act as the Premises Licence Holder for the bar and ensure that the legal requirements and conditions of the licence are met. To ensure that all necessary and adequate insurances are in place including for specified contents, employer's liability, public liability and indemnity and the administration of hirer's insurance. To ensure all the requirements of Historic England for the building's Grade II listed status are met. To attend monthly meetings of the Board and assist the Chair, Company Secretary and Treasurer in the preparation and distribution of agendas and other reports. To organise the Annual General and other meetings of SHCA as required. To keep and maintain records of affiliated groups and other members including safeguarding details where required. To provide detailed monthly reports to the Board on all aspects of the Centre Manager's work, the activities of the House and progress towards the strategic aims.

To undertake such other activities as the Board may from time to time require.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Reserves strengthened to 9 months by Board approved date. Monthly finance and occupancy reports submitted on time. Average room occupancy increased to 45% by end 2027. Garden Cafe SLA monitored effectively and delivering agreed contribution. Full compliance on risk, governance, Health & Safety, and safeguarding. Positive engagement with RBG and local councillors. Grant applications submitted on time and compliant. House Team and volunteers effectively recruited, supported, and retained.

Person specification

1. Essential

Proven leadership and management experience in a comparable organisation/structure. An understanding of the role of a community centre as a social, recreational, educational and support hub for local people. Ability to act confidently and credibly as the face of SHCA within the community and with external partners. Financial management and reporting experience. Experience of managing a small team. Experience in raising standards and meeting KPIs. Good communication skills. An understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements of a registered charity. Awareness of best practice in governance, compliance, and risk management. Good IT and social media skills. A high standard of written English. A demonstrable commitment to equality of opportunity. Flexibility, resilience, and ability to work under pressure. Ability to effectively delegate tasks to paid staff and volunteers. Creative approach to problem solving and service development.

2. Desirable

Experience of writing detailed business plans. Experience of writing successful funding bids. Experience of working with an elected Board of Trustees. Experience of managing volunteers. A knowledge of QuickBooks financial software. Experience of commissioning and working with contractors and service providers. Experience of marketing, public relations and stakeholder engagement.
Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 39,130.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Discounted or free food Free parking On-site parking
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/10/2025