Refuge Manager

Refuge Manager - Leicester (Women's Charity)

Salary: £30,868 per year
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (37.5 hours)
Benefits: 28 days annual leave + excellent benefits + clinical supervision

A long-established women's charity with over 45 years of service is seeking a Refuge Manager to lead their Leicester-based team. The organisation provides specialist support to women affected by domestic abuse, offering both refuge accommodation and community outreach services. They support single women as well as women with children, helping them regain independence and rebuild their lives.

This is a women-only organisation dedicated to supporting and employing women. They have a strong focus on BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) communities, so cultural awareness and the ability to speak at least one BME language is essential.

The charity operates across three offices, including Coventry, Leicester, and Leicestershire, and also provides access to in-house legal support such as immigration advice for service users with complex needs.

About the Role - Refuge Manager (Leicester)

The Refuge Manager will play a key role in leading the operational delivery of the Leicester service. Responsibilities include:

• Managing a small team of 3-4 staff (both full-time and part-time)
• Overseeing the work of the IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate)
• Managing 4 refuge houses offering 18 bed spaces
• Ensuring safe, high-quality support within refuge accommodation
• Leading safeguarding, risk management, and crisis intervention
• Supporting residents to access appropriate services and rebuild independence
• Attending occasional weekend events such as International Women's Day and community activities

Role Requirements

• Managerial qualification (essential)
• Senior on-call experience (essential)
• Experience within domestic abuse services (strongly preferred)
• Ability to speak at least one BME language (required)
• Strong cultural awareness and understanding of diverse communities
• Ability to lead, support, and develop staff in a specialist women's refuge environment
• Excellent communication, safeguarding, and crisis-management skills