South London Centre Manager

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 68% of clients secure a job, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

In 2025 we launched our new 5-year strategy- we are aiming to build a future where every woman, at any stage of her career, can access trusted, personalised support to secure employment. We aspire to be local in feel, national in reach, shaped by the voices of women, valuing every story and every success.

About the Role

The South London Centre Manager will have overall responsibility for the day-to-day management, smooth running and development of the South London centre and Smart Works service in Croydon.

They will oversee the delivery of a high-quality Smart Works service, to include managing centre operations, leading and supporting the volunteer community, and building strong relationships with local partners and stakeholders, to ensure that Smart Works is well-embedded in the South London community.

The Centre Manager will be a highly organised and proactive individual who enjoys making things happen. They will be equally comfortable managing the practical running of a busy public-facing centre, supporting clients and volunteers, representing Smart Works externally and identifying opportunities to grow the service.

They will be a natural relationship builder who is able to create a vibrant, friendly and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome.

The role would be based in the South London centre, and there will be occasional evening and weekend work for which staff are awarded TOIL. There will also be an expectation that this role may need to visit other Smart Works London centres or travel for outreach events and activities throughout the city.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and a cover letter which answers the following questions by 29th September at 5pm. Your application should be addressed to Fiona Hollow, Head of London Service Delivery

• Why do you want to work for Smart Works? (Max 250 words)
• How will you create a positive atmosphere and environment for clients, volunteers and staff members in our South London centre? (Max 250 words)
• Tell us about a time you have worked effectively in a team to solve a problem. (Max 250 words)

1st round interviews will take place on Monday 5th October and will be virtual. If you are unable to attend a virtual interview for any reason, please let us know to discuss another arrangement.2nd round interviews will take place on Friday 9th October and will be in person in Croydon.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or alterations for the application and recruitmentprocesses, please reach out to us.

Smart Works is committed to best practice employment practices, including reducing the burden for those seeking work. Smart Works will therefore reimburse reasonable costs of travel to interviews if required.