Deputy Manager – Primrose Lodge

Deputy Manager – Primrose Lodge

Location: Primrose Lodge, Guildford, Surrey

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum (DOE)

Hours: 40 hours per week

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About Primrose Lodge

Primrose Lodge has been supporting individuals since 2017. For over eight years, our addiction treatment clinic in Surrey has offered a safe, structured, and compassionate setting where clients can focus entirely on recovery, whether they are taking their first steps through detox or building resilience against relapse.

At Primrose Lodge, clients are supported by a qualified and friendly team who understand how difficult it can feel to face substance misuse and addiction. We offer a blend of evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including the 12-Step programme, one-to-one sessions, CBT, DBT, group work, workshops, and relapse prevention support.

Every treatment plan begins with medical support for safe, supervised detox, followed by a personalised programme of therapy, group sessions, workshops, and wellbeing activities. We recognise that no two recovery journeys are the same, which is why our approach is person-centred, compassionate, and tailored to individual need.

Primrose Lodge is more than a treatment centre; it is a caring community that believes in every client's ability to heal and move towards a healthier, substance-free life.

Our Core Values:

At the heart of everything we do are our four core values:

• Understanding – listening, empathising, and responding to individual needs.
• Kindness – treating everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Accountability – taking responsibility for our actions and maintaining high standards.
• Teamwork – working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Deputy Manager to support the day-to-day operational leadership of Primrose Lodge.

Working closely alongside the Centre Manager, you will be the operational heartbeat of the clinic. You will balance day-to-day operations whilst ensuring our team is supported, and our facility remains safe, compliant, and welcoming.

This is a key leadership role where you will manage, inspire, and develop a diverse team of employees, bank workers, and volunteers. Your focus will be on maintaining a structured environment that supports our clients through their recovery journey while ensuring the centre meets its operational, occupancy, and quality targets.

Key Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the Centre Manager in leading and managing the day-to-day operations of Primrose Lodge.
• Managing daily centre logistics, including coordinating staff rotas, timetabling, client care pathways, and general facilities management.
• Overseeing the physical safety and security of the building, conducting regular health & safety audits, and ensuring maintenance issues are resolved swiftly.
• Line-managing, supervising, and supporting support staff, bank staff, and volunteers, setting clear objectives and conducting regular performance reviews.
• Ensuring the effective induction of new staff and volunteers, promoting a culture of continuous professional development (CPD).
• Proactively managing client care pathways to maximise client retention and maintain occupancy levels that meet or exceed company targets.
• Taking management responsibility for the safeguarding of vulnerable clients and the robust, timely reporting and management of all incidents.
• Ensuring strict adherence to CQC regulations, information governance, GDPR, and strict medication control protocols.
• Compiling, monitoring, and analysing operational data to produce accurate, timely reports for the Centre Manager.
• Effectively managing delegated financial budgets in line with company guidelines.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of developments, research, and best practices within the substance misuse field to continuously improve service delivery.

About You

We are looking for someone who can lead with confidence, compassion, and accountability on the floor. You will be able to balance operational demands with a strong focus on quality, compliance, client care, and team development.

You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate others, manage competing priorities, and respond flexibly to the fluid demands of a busy residential treatment setting.

The successful candidate will:

• Have the ability to embrace new ways of working.
• Manage their own time effectively and meet expected deadlines under pressure.
• Work exceptionally well as part of a team and share ideas, knowledge, and experience.
• Be able to work proactively on their own initiative and make sound, safe decisions.
• Demonstrate outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Be highly confident navigating and managing challenging behaviours or crisis situations.
• Be flexible and responsive to the fluid operational demands of a residential setting.
• Be passionate about continuous professional development, both for yourself and your team.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum of a QCF Level 5 in Health and Social Care or Leadership & Management (with a willingness to work towards a Level 5)..
• Demonstrated experience overseeing the day-to-day operations, rotas, or logistics of a residential care or rehabilitation centre.
• Solid people management experience, including performance management, conducting staff supervisions, and developing a diverse team.
• Experience managing delegated financial budgets.
• High proficiency in using Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive) and modern care management systems.
• A clear understanding of compliance frameworks, safeguarding protocols, and regulatory requirements.

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of CQC requirements and regulated healthcare or care environments.
• Experience managing internal audits, risk assessments, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience working within a private healthcare, residential treatment, or therapeutic setting.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (Dependent on Experience).
• Full-time, permanent position (40 hours per week).
• 28 Days Holiday rising to 33 Days after 5 continuous years of service + your birthday off.
• Blue Light Card discount scheme.
• Company pension scheme & BUPA wellness programme.
• Supportive Personal Development Plan (PDP) and ongoing training opportunities.
• Free on-site parking facilities.
• Long Service Recognition – We recognise and reward your continued commitment to UKAT, with long-service awards at 5, 10 and 20 years.

Why Join UKAT?

At UKAT, our work changes lives. We are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate treatment to individuals and families affected by addiction and related conditions.

As Deputy Manager, you will play a vital role in shaping the culture, quality, and success of Primrose Lodge. You will be supported by a wider network of experienced professionals and senior leaders, while having the autonomy to lead your team on the floor and make a meaningful impact every day.

Our work is guided by our values of Understanding, Kindness, Accountability, and Teamwork, and we are passionate about helping people take meaningful steps towards long-term recovery.

The Recruitment Process:

• You will have an initial phone conversation with the talent acquisition specialist which will be an informal chat and opportunity to ask questions about the position
• If you are successful in your initial phone conversation, you will be required to undertake an interview on-site or via video conference. (please note that if you have a video/in-person interview, you will be required to visit the centre at a later date for our 2nd stage interview)
• Our shortlisted candidates will be notified if they are successful within 5 working days post interview.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced senior practitioner or supervisor ready to take the next step in your management career within a supportive and dynamic environment, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV, outlining your relevant experience and suitability for the role of Deputy Manager at Primrose Lodge.