Community Services Programme Manager

Position Title: Community Services Programme Manager

Position Description: To lead and oversee the delivery, development, and quality assurance of Festina Lente’s Community Support Programme (CSP). The role is responsible for ensuring that services are person-centred, compliant, outcome-focused, and aligned with organisational values and strategic priorities.

Department Name: Management & Administration

Reporting to: CEO

Based at: Festina Lente Equestrian Learning Centre. The primary base for the position will be in our HQ at Old Connaught Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow (relocating to Kilpedder, Co. Wicklow in 2 to 4 years).

Contract Type: Full-time Pobal Supported Contract until end of 2027 [FTC]

Position Goals: To provide leadership to programme staff in the provision of a wide range of therapeutic and recreational interventions aimed at promoting physical, psychosocial and mental well-being for people affected by socio economic and /or disability, which are delivered through the medium of equine assisted programmes (on-site and outreach) and social and therapeutic horticulture.

Programme Leadership & Management

• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of Community Support Programme services.
• Ensure programmes operate in line with organisational policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor programme performance, outcomes, and participant progression.
• Support the continuous improvement and development of services.
• Ensure services are delivered in a safe, inclusive, and person-centred manner.

Team Management

• Provide leadership, supervision, and support to CSP staff and facilitators.
• Manage staff scheduling, performance management, and professional development.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture.
• Support staff wellbeing and encourage reflective practice.
• Identify training and development needs across the team.

Participant Support & Quality Assurance

• Ensure participants are supported to achieve individual goals and meaningful outcomes.
• Promote participant voice, choice, dignity, and independence.
• Oversee support planning, documentation, reviews, and reporting.
• Ensure safeguarding, health and safety, and risk management procedures are implemented effectively.
• Respond appropriately to incidents, complaints, and safeguarding concerns.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build positive relationships with participants, families, funders, referral agencies, and community partners.
• Represent Festina Lente at meetings, networks, and sector events.
• Support collaborative working with multidisciplinary and external support teams.

Operational & Administrative Management

• Manage programme budgets and resources effectively.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
• Contribute to strategic planning, service development, and organisational reporting.
• Support audits, inspections, and quality reviews.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Experience managing social/community enterprise projects.
• Familiarity with Pobal funding and reporting requirements preferred.
• Strong understanding of person-centred practice and community inclusion.
• Knowledge of disability, mental health, autism, and social care sectors.
• Understanding of safeguarding, health and safety, and quality standards.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage complex situations with professionalism and empathy.
• Strong organisational, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Experience in programme coordination, service delivery, and quality assurance.
• Strong report writing, administration, and IT skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and participant empowerment.

Education & Experience

Essential

• Relevant third-level qualification in Social Care, Health & Social Care, Community Development, Psychology, Disability Studies, or related field,
• Proven leadership experience in a community, disability, mental health, or social care setting,
• Experience managing teams and coordinating services or programmes,
• Experience supporting adults with diverse support needs.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory compliance requirements,
• Full clean driving licence

Desirable

• Experience working within a social enterprise or community-based organisation.
• Experience with funding or compliance reporting.
• Knowledge of outcome measurement and service evaluation.

Language: Fluent English

Work Authorisation: Ireland, required

Benefits of Employment:

Compensation: The salary will be commensurate with experience.

Benefits Include:

• 26 days’ annual leave
• Access to professional training and continuous development programmes.
• Access to Educational Support
• HSF Health Plan, FC01
• Bike to work scheme
• On-site parking

Closing date: Friday 3rd July 2026

Email CV plus cover letter to hr@festinalente.ieTel : +353879633348

https://www.festinalente.ie

Equal Opportunities Statement: Festina Lente is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those from diverse and underrepresented communities.

FESTINA LENTE CHILD PROTECTION POLICY / GARDA VETTING / MANDATORY DECLARATION Garda Vetting for all employees and volunteers is compulsory and those candidates invited for interview will be asked to complete a Garda Vetting form for submission at that time. The successful candidate will be provided with a copy of the Festina Lente Child Protection Policy and will be required to sign their acceptance of the contents of this document. A Mandatory Declaration Form must be signed in advance of commencement of employment.

This role is supported by the Community Services Programme and as such is subject to continued government funding. The Community Services Programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and is managed by Pobal.

Qualifying Criteria for all applicants applying for CSP Supported Positions:

• People who are in the workforce but unemployed and seeking to return to work i.e.,
• people who are in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB), Jobseekers Allowance (JA);people who are signing for credits
• Qualified Adults (Adult dependants of those in receipt of social welfare payment)
• People with Disabilities (PWD) i.e. in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit, or other disability benefit.
• Ukrainians (displaced by the war)
• Migrants, Refugees & Asylum Seekers
• Irish Travellers & Roma
• People coming from a labour activation scheme i.e. Community Employment, TUS, or RSS placements
• One Parent Families (people who parent alone without sufficient resources and are in receipt of social welfare payments)
• People who are deserted, separated, divorced or widowed (People in receipt of
• Widow/er’s non-contributory pension, surviving Civil Partner’s non-contributory pension, or deserted Wives allowance/benefit)
• Carers (people in receipt of Carers Allowance/Benefit who want to return to the workforce)
• People who are homeless
• Stabilised and recovering drug misusers

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• On-site parking
• Wellness program

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Bray, County Wicklow: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Are you CSP POBAL ELIGIBLE?

Work authorisation:

• Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person