Helpline Manager

Glaucoma UK is the charity for people with glaucoma. Our vision is to end preventable glaucoma sight loss. We want everyone with glaucoma to be able to live well with the condition.

It couldn’t be a more exciting time to join our team.  We have just developed a new Theory of Change and we are now embarking on a period of growth. With an estimated 700,000 people in the UK living with glaucoma – but only half of them knowing it – we want, and need, to do more. We want to fund more research, raise more awareness and help more people. And that is where you can make a real difference.

As our Helpline Manager, and leader of a dedicated and skilled team, a key part of your role will be to ensure that high quality advice and support is provided, and that service users receive a timely response. When we talk about the helpline, we mean support via telephone, email, Healthunlocked (primarily online peer support) and our buddy service (peer support in advance of surgery).

Position: Helpline Manager

Responsible to: Head of Support Services

Responsible for: Helpline Advisors x 3; Locum Helpline Advisors x 2 

Location: Home based with a requirement to work in the Ashford office on a regular basis (approx. once in every 2 weeks)

Hours: Full time (35 hours a week) with potential for occasional evening or weekend work

Salary: £39,305 (FTE)

Annual leave and benefits

• 25 days holiday per annum (rising by one day per year to 28 days after 3 years’ service), plus Statutory Public Holidays, pro-rated for new starters and part-time employees.
• Benenden Healthcare cover
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Up to 5% contributory pension
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Funded support for learning and development

How to apply:

Please click on the Quick Apply button below. You'll be asked to submit a CV and covering letter.

Please note:

Only applications including a covering letter, which clearly details how you meet the requirements of the person specification, will be considered.

Closing date: 9am on Monday 24 February 2025.

Interviews: Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th March at our Head office in Ashford, Kent and interested candidates are urged to keep these times free.

What you’ll be working on:

• Ensuring helpline services are meeting the needs of people with glaucoma
• Ensuring high standards of service across the different helpline channels
• Supporting and developing the helpline team
• Leading the continuous improvement and development of the helpline
• Communicating and promoting the helpline

This job is for you if you have.…

• experience of developing and delivering services to a vulnerable client group
• experience of defining service specifications
• experience of demonstrating impact and quality in your work
• the ability to lead, manage and evaluate specific projects and able to prioritise workload to deliver projects on time and budget
• experience of line management and leading teams
• excellent communication skills (verbal and written) including the ability to translate complex scientific and medical information into accessible language and the ability to build excellent working relationships at all levels.
• an understanding of issues related to diversity and equality of opportunity and a genuine commitment to widening access to information

And finally.....

We will be in touch with shortlisted applicants by Thursday 27th February. Candidates with a disability who may need longer to prepare for an interview, or who have special requirements to be taken into account, are invited to contact us to discuss any necessary adjustments to the recruitment timetable.