Hours: Full-time 34.5 hours per week over 5 days
(this post may require some evening work for which flex is given)
Location: Hybrid working: minimum 40% of working time in the office in Yeadon
(Mondays and Thursdays are mandatory office days, additional office days may be required to meet service needs)
Salary: £44,394.09 - £46,187.61
Contract: Permanent
DBS: An enhanced check will be required for this role
(For more information please read our Policy Statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders or our FAQs)
About us
At Epilepsy Action we are inclusive, ambitious, supportive, and committed to creating a world without limits for people with epilepsy.
As we achieve the goals in our 2024 - 2030 strategy we are excited to welcome you to our passionate, supportive and committed team.
We understand the importance of a work life balance, and that's why we have a number of ways to support our people to achieve this. By operating a flexible and supportive approach, we empower people to work in a way that suits them that also meets the need of the charity.
If you are interested in building a career you can be proud of in an inclusive and ambitious organisation we might have the role for you!
About the role
Epilepsy Action is looking for an experienced and motivated Communities Development Manager to lead the development and delivery of accessible, inclusive community services for people affected by epilepsy across the UK.
This is a varied and influential management role. You will lead our peer support and counselling services, strengthen referral pathways and community partnerships, and identify new opportunities to extend our reach and impact. You will use insight, evidence and service data to reduce barriers to participation and ensure people affected by epilepsy can access the right support at the right time.
You will manage and develop a high-performing team, support volunteers, oversee service quality and performance, manage budgets and risks, and contribute to the delivery of our organisational strategy. You will also provide safeguarding leadership across the Services department and deputise for the Director of Services when required.
At Epilepsy Action we recognise the power of collaboration and teamwork, so our team members with hybrid contracts are required to work a minimum of 40% of their time at our office in Yeadon, Leeds. On average this is 2 days a week on Mondays and Thursdays, for full-time employees.
Because regular face-to-face collaboration is an important part of this role, applicants should be based within a reasonable commuting distance of our Yeadon office and be able to attend the office as required.
The expectation to collaborate in person is driven in part by your role and the activities you need to do, which may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to help us create a world without limits for people with epilepsy.
About you?
We are looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking with confident, hands-on operational leadership.
You will bring:
- Experience of managing and developing community-based services or programmes.
- Strong people-management skills, including coaching, performance management and supporting dispersed teams or volunteers.
- Experience of leading service improvements from planning through to implementation and review.
- The ability to use data, insight and feedback to improve quality, reach and impact.
- Experience of developing effective partnerships across voluntary, community, health or social care settings.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and complaints handling.
- Experience of managing budgets and reporting against targets, KPIs or funding requirements.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, organisational and digital skills.
- A genuine commitment to inclusion, co-production and improving the lives of people affected by epilepsy.
Experience of working in the charity sector, managing support services or acting as a designated safeguarding lead would be an advantage.
Some evening work and travel will be required. Equivalent time off will be provided through our flexible working arrangements.
Why join us?
You will have the opportunity to shape services that make a meaningful difference to people affected by epilepsy, working with committed colleagues, volunteers, communities and partners across the UK.
Click here for the job description and person specification
Interested?
If you are interested in what you have read so far you can either submit your application via our online portal or alternatively if you still have some questions before applying you can contact us for a friendly informal chat at [email protected]
Being an Inclusive Organisation
We want everyone in our community regardless of their backgrounds, identities, abilities, or circumstances, to feel valued and respected to participate fully. We know that inclusivity isn’t about numbers; it’s about embracing diversity and ensuring that everyone's voice is heard, needs are met, and contributions are acknowledged.
We recognise that each person’s experiences shape how they think and having diverse representation across the organisation is fundamental to achieving our ambitions.
Despite this we are not as diverse as we would like and we actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Leader, this means we encourage applications from disabled people, and we are committed to interviewing disabled applicants who demonstrate through their application that they meet the essential criteria in the person specification. We want to support you to perform your best so if you require any reasonable adjustments please let us know.
Safer Recruitment
Epilepsy Action will ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a DBS or Access NI (Northern Ireland) check are screened appropriate to the role.
If a DBS or Access NI check reveals a conviction for a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable adult, whenever it was committed, that individual is not suitable for that role and will not be recruited. Any other convictions will be considered on an individual basis.
For further information, please see our Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, or contact [email protected]
Closing Date: Wednesday 18th November at 9am
Initial Chats: 25th and 30th November 2026 (virtual)
Interviews: 9th and 14th December (face to face)
Recruitment process: We believe that having an initial chat before the formal interview process allows us and you to have an open and honest conversation about the role, our organisation culture and what attracted you to apply. This is why as part of this process we will be inviting people to a 30 minute online chat with a member of our team before inviting shortlisted candidates to formal interview. As part of this process, there will be a panel interview and a presentation task.
If you want to find out more about what it is like to work with us visit our jobs webpage and review our FAQs.
If you have a disability or long term health condition and feel that you would benefit from a reasonable adjustment as part of the process, please contact [email protected]
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications therefore early applications are advised.