Operations Manager

To provide strong, visible leadership and strategic oversight of a 40-bed nursing and residential care home specialising in dementia care. The Operations Manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and continuous service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Management

• Provide clear leadership to the administrative and domestic team
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture
• Oversee recruitment, retention, and development of staff
• Implement systems and processes to support high quality care and improve operational efficiency
• Ensure effective use of clinical systems and digital services
• Lead on policies and HR processes

2. Strategic Oversight

• Contribute to and implement the organisation’s strategic plan
• Identify growth opportunities and service improvements
• Monitor performance against KPIs and drive continuous improvement
• Lead change management initiatives

3. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (e.g. Care Quality Commission requirements)
• Oversee audits, inspections, and action plans
• Maintain high standards of clinical governance and safeguarding
• Ensure robust policies and procedures are in place and followed

4. Operational Management

• Ensure safe staffing levels and effective rota management for the administration and domestic team
• Monitor occupancy levels and admissions processes
• Manage incidents, complaints, and risk effectively

5. Financial Management

• Manage budgets, financial planning and reporting
• Monitor income streams including OCC contracts and self-funding residents.
• Work with accountants and the finance officer to ensure financial stability
• Ensure efficient use of resources without compromising care quality
• Identify opportunities to improve income generation and operational efficiency.

6. Procurement & Resource Management

• Lead procurement strategy for equipment, supplies, and services
• Negotiate contracts and maintain supplier performance
• Ensure value for money and compliance with procurement policies

7. Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with families, and external partners
• Liaise with local authorities
• Represent the organisation professionally in all interactions

8. Safeguarding & Risk Management

• Ensure robust safeguarding practices are embedded
• Lead on risk assessments and mitigation strategies
• Promote a culture of safety and transparency

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior management role within health or social care
• Strong knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g. Care Quality Commission standards)
• Demonstrable experience in staff leadership and team development
• Experience in financial management and budget control
• Experience in procurement and contract management

Desirable

• Management qualification (e.g. Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care)
• Experience managing care services

Skills & Competencies

Leadership

• Strong, confident, and empathetic leadership style
• Ability to motivate and inspire teams

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to think long-term and align operations with organisational goals
• Data-driven decision-making

Communication

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders

Operational Excellence

• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities

Financial & Commercial Awareness

• Understanding of budgets, cost control, and financial reporting
• Commercial awareness in procurement and service delivery

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate and values-driven
• Resilient and adaptable
• High integrity and professionalism

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regulatory inspection ratings (e.g. Care Quality Commission)
• Occupancy rates
• Staff turnover and retention
• Budget adherence
• Resident and family satisfaction

Working Conditions

• On-site role, with participation in the on-call rota out of hours

Other Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK

Vale House is a not-for-profit Dementia Care Home specialising in the highly skilled care required for people who have complex needs arising from dementia. Its specialist care is much sought after and is provided in a light bright building which was purpose built in 2012 just outside Oxford, between Littlemore and Sandford-on-Thames. The forty individual en-suite rooms, which are all outward looking, are built around a figure of eight with internal courtyard gardens where residents can walk safely and securely. Founded in 1990 Vale House has one clear purpose: to care for people with dementia however severe or complicated, and to support their families. The quality of the work of Vale House rests on the skill and commitment of the staff who are chosen with care, well taught and then helped to learn further and work closely as a team.

Support for families is a defining characteristic of Vale House, and unusually Vale House has dedicated family support workers, committed to supporting the family and friends of each resident. This commitment contributes greatly to the inclusive friendly environment which so many family and visitors comment on.

Vale House is registered as an independent charity with the Charity Commission and with Companies House and conforms to the standards and procedures required by those two bodies. It is governed by a committed Board of Directors (unpaid) who are also the Trustees of the charity.