Compass Recovery College Manager

37 Hours per week - Full Time – Fixed term for up to 2 years

Are you an experienced mental health professional and people-focused manager who is passionate about recovery, co-production and helping people develop the knowledge and confidence to manage their wellbeing?

We are looking for an inspiring Compass Recovery College Manager for up to 2 years to cover a secondment to lead and develop Compass Recovery College – an innovative, inclusive service offering free mental health and wellbeing workshops to residents across Reading.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About The Role:
To find out more about Compass Recovery College visit: https://www.compassrecoverycollege.uk/

Compass is built around an educational approach to recovery. Workshops are co-produced and delivered with people who have lived experience of mental health challenges alongside professionals and trained practitioners. We create a safe, supportive environment where people can learn, share experiences, build skills and connect with others.

As Manager, you will play a key role in developing Compass and extending its reach across Reading. You will lead the team to deliver a diverse programme of recovery-focused workshops, mental health literacy and prevention initiatives, while strengthening partnerships across health, social care, community and voluntary sector organisations.

As Compass Recovery College Manager, you will:

• Lead and develop the Recovery College, ensuring high-quality, recovery-focused services are delivered across Reading.
• Manage and support a dedicated team of recovery workers, peer supporters, volunteers and sessional staff, including staff with lived experience.
• Develop innovative workshops and programmes that promote mental health recovery, resilience and wellbeing.
• Build strong partnerships across health, social care, voluntary and community sectors.
• Promote social inclusion and help tackle mental health inequalities through targeted outreach initiatives.
• Monitor service performance, manage budgets and provide reports to senior leaders and elected members.
• Contribute to wider public health priorities and strategic mental health initiatives across Reading and Berkshire West.

About You:
We're looking for someone who has:

• Significant experience working within mental health, public health, health and social care or a related field.
• Experience leading teams, managing staff and supporting volunteers.
• A strong understanding of recovery-focused approaches and co-production.
• Excellent partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering services within available resources.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
• A commitment to safeguarding, equality, inclusion and improving outcomes for people experiencing mental health challenges.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Sneha Thomas, Advanced Public Health Practitionerat [email removed] or call [phone removed]

Closing Date: Sunday 25th October 2026
Interview Date: w/c 9th November 2026
Interview Setup: In person at the Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU