Specialist Deputy Manager (Community Development and Outreach)

Job Purpose 

To work closely with the Community Outreach and Development Manager as a specialist Deputy Manager, bringing advanced knowledge of diverse communities and high cultural competence to strengthen inclusive outreach practice.

The role supports the delivery of culturally responsive, trauma‑informed community engagement activity and helps embed inclusive approaches within the Community Development and Outreach team and across Rochdale and District Mind.

The postholder will support and develop projects that raise mental health awareness, challenge stigma, and enable people from marginalised and underserved communities to access support, influence services, and have their voices meaningfully heard. The postholder will play a key role leading the development of RDM’s EDI strategy, including the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework. 

Summary of Main Duties and Objectives of the Job:

• Assist in planning and delivering outreach activities.
• Supervise outreach staff and volunteers involved with the Diverse Cultural Communities Emotional Wellbeing Forum, Dementia Team and other services aimed at meeting the needs of under-served and marginalised communities 
• Build relationships with community partners.
• Monitor and report on outreach performance.
• Deputise for the Group Manager when required. 
• Promote a culture of empowerment, trauma-informed practice, and continuous improvement.

Support the Group Service Manager to: 

• Design and implement outreach strategies to engage diverse communities. 
• Develop community-led projects and initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing.
• Ensure service user voices shape outreach and development activities.
• Ensure services meet contractual, legal, and quality standards, including safeguarding, GDPR, and clinical governance.
• The monitoring and evaluation of service performance, using quantitative data and qualitative feedback to inform strategic improvements, and optimise outcomes 
• Ensure services are delivered within budget and collaborate with the finance function for planning and reporting.
• Contribute to the strategic development of services for under-served and marginalised communities, identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Support tendering and funding applications, working with colleagues to develop compelling proposals.
• Build and maintain relationships with commissioners, funders, and community partners.
• Support the professional development of staff and volunteers through supervision, appraisal, and training.
• Work with HR function and senior colleagues to identify training needs and promote wellbeing in the workplace.
• Support Safeguarding Practice within the Community Development and Outreach Service, ensuring robust policies and procedure are in place. Identify and manage risks, reporting to Group Service manager and wider senior leadership as required.
• Ensure service users are meaningfully involved in the design and delivery of services.
• Promote services through outreach, networking, and partnership working to reach underserved communities.
• Prepare reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees.
• Represent Rochdale and District Mind at external meetings, forums, and events.

General principles for all Mind staff:

1. To promote the empowerment of people who experience mental health and emotional wellbeing issues and to help them speak out.
2. To support the active participation of mental health and emotional wellbeing service users in the services they receive.
3. To practice anti-discriminatory behaviour and to adhere to Rochdale and District Mind’s objectives and policies in the delivery of all its services. 

These responsibilities are subject to annual review and may need to be adjusted in line with service developments.