Area Manager, Management Healthcare Management

Area Manager
- Supported Living-
Southampton
Permanent | Full-Time (37.5 hrs per week, Mon-Fri)

Location: Southampton
Reports to: Regional Director
Function: Operations

Join us as an Area Manager at an exciting time of growth and transformation, as we welcome new services into Lifeways Group through TUPE. This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in shaping high-quality services, supporting teams through transition, and driving excellence in care delivery.

At Lifeways, you’re part of something bigger. As an Area Manager, you lead teams that make a real difference every day — ensuring services run smoothly so the people we support can live life their way. Why does this matter?

See the impact for yourself in our latest video.

We’re seeking a passionate and experienced Area Manager to inspire excellence across services in Southampton. Overseeing a small number of services you’ll empower a team of Service Managers to achieve outstanding outcomes. As the CQC Registered Manager for the area, you’ll champion quality, innovation, and person‑centred support.

At Lifeways, we’re committed to your personal and professional growth. As an Area Manager, you’ll be part of our regional leadership team, where your ideas will help shape the future of care. We will invest in your development through tailored leadership coaching and the opportunity to pursue a Level 7 Strategic Management Qualification in partnership with two of the top business schools in the UK.

• Proven experience managing multi‑site supported living or residential services in the health and social care sector.
• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of growing teams and driving high standards across services.
• A proactive approach to ensuring quality, health & safety, and regulatory compliance—meeting and exceeding CQC standards.
• The ability to identify and address operational challenges, implementing effective action plans to achieve service improvements.
• A Level 4 qualification or higher in Care or Management (or equivalent experience).
• Experience in managing services for individuals with complex needs such as brain injury, learning disabilities, autism, and mental health is beneficial but not essential.

We’re looking for individuals who embody empathy, courage, honesty, equality, and passion. If that sounds like you, we’d love to welcome you to the team.

When you join Lifeways, you step into a leadership role in a company that values and invests in its people. Our shared values guide everything we do:
Caring – Honest – One Team – Innovative – Courageous – Equal

You’ll get:

• Leadership development programmes & progression pathways
• A supportive, inclusive workplace culture
• Matched contribution company pension scheme
• Wellbeing resources and mental health support
• Reward and Recognition Schemes
• Discounts on shopping, tech, travel, and more through CHOICE Rewards

We are on a bold journey to become the Care Provider of Choice — and this is an exciting time to join us.

We listen closely to our team members through surveys and forums and act on their ideas, continuously improving how we support both our people and the individuals in our care.

As a leader, you’ll have the authority, resources, and support to shape your team’s culture and the quality of care they deliver. We invest in your growth through leadership development and promote a workplace where wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are more than just words — they’re lived values.

At Lifeways, you’re not just anyone. You’re a leader who can make a difference every single day.

We are not using agencies for this recruitment. Any CVs sent to anyone in Lifeways from a recruitment agency will be treated as a gift.