Community Development & Health Programme Manager – Maternity Cover

Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) has been making a difference in our community for over 25 years. We deliver a range of projects, services & activities aimed at improving economic stability and opportunity, health and wellbeing, and which address loneliness, social isolation and social cohesion. Come and join our flexible, inclusive and friendly organisation and lead one of our work areas in a role which will give you great job satisfaction with a fabulous team.

You will be an experienced people, project, and services manager with a track record and flair for developing and delivering community-based services to contract, and which meet identified community needs, in a consistently high-quality way. With strong financial acumen and the ability to develop and monitor budgets, you will analyse and explain variances, manage complex and time-limited funding streams, and collaborate regularly with the finance team. The role also involves developing and supporting project staff in effective budget management.

With responsibility for the strategic development of the community development & health work area; which incorporates community infrastructure support & development, youth & families, environmental and active travel initiatives; you will lead, direct & support a multi-disciplinary team who manage the contracts, services and day-to-day delivery of this broad work area.

Skilled at managing relationships with existing funders and commissioners, you will broker new partnerships, write bids and collaborate on funding tenders, ensuring sustained funding for services which support people with complex challenges in our communities. With excellent organisation, communication, finance and project management skills, you will demonstrate sensitivity to the ambitions of this work area and to SCDA’s vision.

We are looking for people to join our team who have the qualities and skills we feel would most benefit our service users; professionalism, empathy, kindness and understanding. In return, we recognise people want to work in a supportive environment with friendly colleagues. We offer a flexible approach to delivery where possible, annual leave of 23 days per year pro rata plus bank holidays and sick pay from the start (increasing with service), additional sick pay for necessary operations and recovery, a pension scheme, bereavement leave, and managers who are available to you… plus a day off for your birthday!

Based Newhaven with travel across E. Sussex, car driver and owner required as many delivery locations are rural and not served well by public transport. Post subject to DBS check.

For full job description, please see JD Community Development & Health PM mat cover Feb 2026

Closing date: 5pm Sunday 22nd March 2026
1st stage interviews: 1st April 2026 in Newhaven

You may think that you’re not a 100% match to what we’re looking for, but we recognise that some skills and experience may be transferable rather than an exact match. If you’re unsure about whether to apply, please do contact the HR team on hr@sussexcommunity.org.uk and we would be happy to arrange an informal discussion with the recruiting manager.