Director of Services - Domestic Abuse (Maternity Cover)

Are you looking for a dynamic and rewarding role working for an organisation with a feminist agenda at the core of its ethos? Then Advance Charity could be the career choice for you!

We are looking for a Director of Services - Domestic Abuse / VAWG for a maternity cover vacancy.

Salary: £70,000 - £80,000

Location: Hammersmith (with travel to delivery sites as required) We offer the flexibility to work from home for 2/3 days per week

Contract: Maternity cover, fixed term contract of 9 months which may be extended

Hours: 35 hours per week with availability for Board meetings 4-6pm on Tuesdays 2x per quarter

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer. This role is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, working with the Board of Trustees

Direct Reports: Head of Services - DA (this may change in line with organisational strategy)

This post is open to female applicants only as being female is deemed to be a genuine occupational requirement under Schedule 9, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Please note : Any offer of employment will be made subject to references, confirmation of the right to work in the UK, and satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

About us

Advance is an award-winning and innovative women-only organisation, established in 1998, providing emotional and practical support to women and girls survivors of domestic abuse and supporting women with short-term sentences to reduce offending. We believe in empowering women and girls to lead safe, non-violent, equal lives so that they can flourish and contribute to the community.

We are a community-based organisation who lead in best practice approaches to supporting women in their local community. We achieve this by being available to meet and support women in local settings and at our women’s centres, and by working in close partnership with other agencies.

Our values are to listen and support, to empower and respect, collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Advance evokes systemic change by engaging with professionals within statutory agencies, including commissioners and policymakers, to deliver sustainable impact for women. Through a coordinated community response, we work in partnership with other charities, as well as regional and national government to develop innovative responses and influence policy.

About the role:

You will lead Advance’s frontline domestic abuse and VAWG services ensuring they are safe, effective, high quality and aligned with our strategic aims. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team you will work closely with the CEO, Directors, Trustees and senior managers to shape service strategy, strengthen quality systems and ensure excellent outcomes for women and children.

You will provide confident strategic and operational leadership, manage complex stakeholder relationships, support governance and reporting and ensure services are financially sustainable, contract compliant and responsive to the needs of women and children.

About You:

We are looking for a senior manager with a proven track record of leading services for women experiencing violence and abuse, women in contact with the criminal justice system, or similar social care or social justice services. You will bring strong strategic judgement, confident operational oversight and the ability to lead with clarity, compassion and resilience.

You will have:

• Strong knowledge of domestic abuse, VAWG, safeguarding and the wider issues affecting women and children with complex needs.

• Significant experience of strategic leadership, service management and team development.

• A sound knowledge of safeguarding adults and child protection issues.

• Experience managing budgets, partnerships, contracts, outcomes and reporting.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.

• The confidence to work under pressure, manage complexity and inspire teams through change.

• A collaborative, values-led leadership style and a commitment to women’s rights, safety and dignity.

How to apply:

Please submit your up-to-date CV with a supporting statement. Please note that only applications made via the job advert on the Advance careers page, and those that include a cover letter will be considered.

• Closing Date for Applications : Friday 17th July 2026 @23:59

• Interviews taking place: First stage 27th July. Second stage likely w/c 3rd August

Advance reserves the right to close the role early, or on the appointment of a candidate

What we can offer you - Employee Benefits:

• A 35-hour working week

• An exceptional 30 days of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part time), PLUS public holidays on top (that's nearly 40 days paid holiday per year!)

• Additional days off to celebrate International Women’s Day , and for religious observance and moving home

• Perkbox - an employee discount platform where you can receive free rewards as well as take advantage of savings on clothes, groceries, travel, leisure and more

• Pension scheme

• Enhanced maternity/adoption provision

• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

• Employee eye-care scheme

• Clinical supervision for front line staff and first line management roles

• Refer a Friend Scheme - £250 for each referral who passes probation

• Organisation wide away days

• Thorough induction and training

• Career development pathways

**************************************************************

Under the Equality Act 2010, we are required to make any reasonable adjustments. If you have a disability as defined under this act and/or have additional needs, please email [email protected] and the Talent Acquisition Team will aim to make the necessary arrangements to accommodate your needs.

Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and actively seek to recruit people from groups underrepresented in our current team. We have policies and processes in place to ensure that all employees are offered an equal opportunity in recruitment and selection, promotion, training, pay and benefits.

Safeguarding

Advance is committed to safeguarding and creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm and expects all staff, including volunteers to share this commitment. We believe all individuals have the right to live their life free from violence and abuse and the right to feel and be safe. We have a suite of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice guidance, accessible to all staff, which promotes safeguarding and safer working practices across all our services and activities. When we recruit staff, we follow rigorous safer recruitment practices, this involves carrying out pre-employment checks including references, Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, and identity checks. We ensure all staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities, to empower them to be competent and feel confident in recognising and responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and promote wellbeing.