Vacancy: Centre Manager

Location: Parktown

Type: Full-time

Reports to: Board of Directors

Guild Cottage is a highly specialised residential therapeutic facility providing care and support to seriously traumatised girls who have experienced abuse. Referred through the courts, the girls are removed from unsafe environments and placed in a nurturing, structured space where healing, growth, and dignity are prioritised.

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled, and committed Centre Manager to lead the daily life and operations of Guild Cottage and to ensure a safe, stable, and therapeutic environment for both residents and staff.

Role Purpose:

The Centre Manager is responsible for the overall management, leadership, and smooth running of Guild Cottage. This includes staff supervision, programme oversight, child and youth care practice, administration, financial management, fundraising support, and community engagement — all in alignment with the mission and values of the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Operations

•              Provide strong, ethical, and compassionate leadership to staff and volunteers.

•              Oversee daily residential operations to ensure a safe, structured, and supportive environment for the girls.

•              Ensure policies, procedures, and statutory requirements are implemented and maintained.

•              Support and guide staff in trauma-informed child and youth care practice.

Child and Youth Care

•              Ensure the emotional, physical, and developmental needs of residents are met.

•              Promote therapeutic care, stability, and appropriate boundaries within the home.

•              Work collaboratively with social workers, therapists, courts, and external professionals.

Management & Administration

•              Manage staff recruitment, supervision, performance, and development.

•              Maintain records, reports, and compliance documentation.

•              Oversee scheduling, logistics, and internal systems of the home.

Financial Oversight & Fundraising

•              Monitor day-to-day finances, budgets, and basic accounting processes.

•              Work with the Board to manage cash flow and financial planning.

•              Participate in and help implement fundraising strategies.

•              Ensure funds are ethically raised, managed, and reported.

Community Engagement

•              Build positive relationships with donors, partners, volunteers, and the wider community.

•              Promote awareness of Guild Cottage and its mission.

•              Support donor engagement and volunteer recruitment where appropriate.

Board Support

•              Work closely with the Board of Directors.

•              Prepare reports, attend meetings, and contribute to strategic discussions.

•              Keep the Board informed of developments, risks, and progress.

Minimum Requirements:

§  Relevant qualification in Child and Youth Care, Social Work, Psychology, Education, or related field.

§  Proven experience in residential care, child and youth services, or trauma-informed environments.

§  Demonstrated leadership and people-management skills.

§  Strong organisational and administrative ability.

§  Basic financial management and budgeting competence.

§  Fundraising or community engagement experience will be an advantage.

§  Excellent communication, professionalism, and emotional maturity.

§  A genuine commitment to the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable children.

Personal Attributes:

•              Compassionate and grounded.

•              Ethical and trustworthy.

•              Resilient and emotionally intelligent.

•              Able to balance care with structure, discipline and accountability.

•              Comfortable working in complex and sensitive environments.

•              Professional and friendly, and able to communicate effectively with our donors as well as being resourceful and knowledgeable in finding new donors and other sources of income, to promote the sustainability of the home.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit:

          •        A detailed CV

          •        A cover letter explaining their motivation and suitability

·              Contactable references (at least 3)

Send applications to: Rev Melanie Cook on: melanie@stcolumbas.org.za

Closing date: 10 March 2026 if you have not heard from us, 14 days after the closing date, you can assume that your application was unsuccessful.