Deputy Operations Manager (Op NOVA)

Help lead a national service supporting veterans in the justice system.

Care after Combat is looking for an experienced Deputy Operations Manager (Op NOVA) to manage the day-to-day delivery of the NHSE Op NOVA commissioned service across England and support our network of Regional Coordinators.

Care after Combat supports veterans in custody and in the community, helping them access practical, consistent and person-centred support. Through our contribution to Op NOVA, we work with partners across England to improve outcomes for veterans and help them move forward.

What you’ll be working on

Reporting to the Operations Manager (Op NOVA), you will play a key role in keeping our operational service running effectively, consistently and safely.

You will:

• directly line-manage, supervise and support our Regional Coordinator team;

• coordinate day-to-day delivery of the the NHSE OpNOVA commissioned service across England;

• monitor workloads, caseload pressures, staffing capacity and service coverage;

• support staff performance, development, wellbeing and induction;

• monitor service performance against agreed targets and standards;

• review operational data and identify trends, gaps or areas requiring intervention;

• support quality assurance, case-record standards and accurate reporting;

• respond to routine operational issues and escalate significant risks or concerns appropriately;

• help ensure consistent practice across regions while recognising legitimate local differences;

• support effective working relationships with HMPPS, prisons, probation, NHS partners, the Forces Employment Charity and other organisations;

• contribute to contract reviews, performance meetings, audits and assurance activity; and

• deputise for the Operations Manager when required.

This is a hands-on operational management role. You will have real responsibility for supporting the team and keeping day-to-day delivery on track, while working closely with the Operations Manager on wider service performance and improvement.

This job is for you if…

• You have experience managing operational service delivery and directly supervising staff.

• You are confident leading and supporting a geographically dispersed team.

• You are organised, calm under pressure and comfortable managing competing priorities.

• You can use service data and performance information to identify issues and improve delivery.

• You are a supportive, approachable and accountable people manager.

• You communicate clearly and build effective relationships with colleagues and external partners.

• You understand the importance of safeguarding, confidentiality, accurate records and operational risk.

• You know when to resolve an issue yourself and when it needs to be escalated.

• You have empathy with veterans and an understanding of the justice system.

Experience in veterans’ services, justice, health, social care, commissioned services or the charity sector would be particularly useful. Experience of Salesforce, Outcome Star or similar case-management systems would also be advantageous.

Key details

Location: Primarily Care after Combat HQ, Newark, Nottinghamshire, with occasional hybrid working
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £38,000
Travel: Occasional travel across England, including prisons and partner locations
Checks: Enhanced DBS and NPPV2 Police Vetting will be required

Regular attendance at our Newark HQ will be required. The role may involve visiting prisons and other secure environments, and some evening or weekend working may occasionally be necessary.

How to apply

Apply through CharityJob with your CV and a supporting statement explaining how your experience and skills match the role.

Closing date: Friday 30th October

Interviews: Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th November

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications, so early applications are encouraged.

Care after Combat is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive and supportive working environment. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.