Operations director jobs

Operations Transformation Programme Director

When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.

Interim Operations Transformation Programme Director 

Full Time/Fixed Term Position for 18 Months (potential for permanent role)

Our offer to you 

We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do. You will receive: 

• Competitive salary and pension scheme
• 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) - increasing to 38 days over 5 years
• Hybrid, Flexible working
• Cycle to work scheme Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts – you will have access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping 

 
About Us 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a team of over 1,300 employees and over 28,000 volunteers, united by our goal of saving lives through essential first aid services, training and campaigning.  As a charity with rich heritage and a long history of serving humanity, we are proud of our past and excited about creating a healthier, safer, more resilient future.  

St John Ambulance works at the heart of communities, supporting and enabling them to access and receive physical and mental health first aid. We do this through developing and providing effective community response and outreach services (e.g. Ambulance Operations) and using our longstanding expertise to empower people with vital clinical skills and the confidence to use them such as our Volunteers and our Young Responders programmes. There is also a buoyant social enterprise network which delivers first aid training and supplies medical consumables to businesses and consumers.  And now with a new strategy and after a review of our current structures were recruiting to a new Operations Transformation Programme Director to help take our delivery to the next level and build our services. 
 
Job Summary 

As The Operations Transformation Programme Director, you’ll build and lead a new directorate driving major change across Estates, Fleet, Logistics and Supply Chain to ensure St John’s operational services are efficient, future‑ready and deliver outstanding support. Reporting to the COO, you’ll oversee Estates & Facilities, Fleet, Logistics, Clinical Equipment, Health & Safety and Business Continuity, managing a c.£22m budget. You’ll ensure that we implement our new Estates strategy, lead capital investment, transform contract management, and deliver a best‑in‑class logistics and supply chain model. Success means measurable performance improvements, achieving key transformation milestones, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and embedding a culture of innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement while ensuring value for money.

About You 

You will bring senior leadership experience from a large, complex organisation, with strong expertise in either estates and FM, or supply chain, logistics, medical devices and contract management. You will have led large, diverse and geographically dispersed teams, delivering major transformation and operational improvement programmes. Degree‑educated with relevant professional development, you will demonstrate inspirational leadership, excellent communication, analytical thinking, confident board‑level reporting, and proven budgetary management.

About the Role 

• Own and be accountable for the development and delivery of transformation plans for estates, fleet, logistics, and supply chain, aligned with organisational strategy and ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency
• To be accountable for the account management of key external providers across Fleet and Estates
• To hold overall accountability for a significant P&L and ensure adherence to plan delivering value and measurable improvements.
• Lead change initiatives, engaging stakeholders and driving adoption of new processes and technologies.
• To role model, empower and enable your people. To champion and exemplify compassionate, ethical and accountable leadership and St John HEART values.
• Establish and drive continuous improvement of KPIs and dashboards to measure and drive effectiveness across the various teams and the business and to ensure we meet internal and external compliance requirements, continually measuring and acting on customer/stakeholder feedback
• Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders, partners and customers.

Please see the job description for more detail (this can be viewed on our website or once you click apply) 

If you are a current St John Ambulance employee, please apply here: Click here 

For all other candidates, or St John Ambulance volunteers wishing to apply: please apply below 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. 

St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.   At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups.  We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.    

'St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre-employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role'. 

Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy. 

Are you passionate about tackling the issues faced by young people such as school absence, loneliness and career opportunities, and determined in supporting their development of life and employability skills? Then there is a place for you at WeMindTheGap. 

We are seeking a special person to fill a new role, Director of Operations. You will bridge the gap between our Board of Trustees, CEO and Operational Delivery. You will be responsible for turning our 5-year plan into high-quality sustainable action while ensuring that our culture remains the golden thread running through everything we do. To do this you will need to be able to effectively manage our growing team of circa 31 staff, line manage our Senior Leadership Team, maximise our yearly budget of roughly £1.7 million, and monitor and report on our Key Performance Indicators directly to our CEO.

Over the last decade, WeMindTheGap has walked alongside the most amazing young people aged 11–25yrs who have fallen through the gaps to find their place in the world. However, sadly, factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic mean that the need for our programmes is greater than ever.  

That is why we have launched an ambitious 5-year plan to deepen our impact and expand our ‘Villages’. Through our place-based approach and continuum of five programmes, we provide our 'Gappies' with work and life skills opportunities, a sense of belonging in their communities, and a chance to build independent, fulfilling lives. 

If you are an individual who thrives in social system changes, complex systems work, if you are driven by purpose and want to be part of an organisation that changes the lives of young people today and for our future generations, we want to hear from you. 

Location: In-person at our WeConnect Hubs (Wrexham, Flintshire, Cheshire) 
Salary: £50,000 
Hours: Full-time, 5 days a week (37.5 hours) 
Start Date: ASAP, ideally by 01/05/2026 (negotiable) 
Contract: Permanent 
Deadline: 12:00pm, 11th of March 2026

To find out more and how to apply, please download and read our full ‘Director of Operations - Recruitment Pack’. 

Please note, the deadline for applying is 11th March 2026 and if chosen for stage 2 you must be available for interview in-person on 31st March or 1st of April 2026.

A UK children’s charity is recruiting a Director of Finance and Operations to support its next phase of growth and impact.

Salary: £65,000-£70,000

Location: Hybrid – Amersham, Buckinghamshire (2 days in the office)

Working Pattern: Full-time, permanent

Reporting to: CEO

Direct Reports: Senior HR Executive, Operations and Database Officer (both part-time)

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll provide strategic financial leadership while overseeing the charity’s operational infrastructure. You’ll ensure strong financial governance, effective systems and controls, and sustainable operations that enable the charity to deliver life-changing support to children and families across the UK.

What you’ll do

• Lead financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and reporting across the organisation.
• Oversee finance, operations and HR functions, ensuring compliance and best practice.
• Provide clear financial insight and advice to senior leaders and trustees.
• Strengthen systems, processes and risk management to support long-term sustainability.
• Line manage senior finance, HR and operations staff, fostering a collaborative culture.

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience covering both financial and management accounting within small organisation finance functions
• Strong strategic and hands-on financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting and audit.
• Experience overseeing operational, HR and governance functions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage non-financial stakeholders.
• A proactive, collaborative leadership style with strong organisational skills.

Goodman Masson are working with a small national children’s charity that provides life-changing specialist nursing care to over 40,000 seriously ill children across the UK.

They are seeking a Director of Finance and Operations to join their Senior Leadership Team. This is a pivotal hands-on leadership role that blends high-level strategy with the management of the charity’s core infrastructure.

The Role:

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will oversee the financial health and operational effectiveness of the entire organisation. You will be responsible for ensuring the charity remains sustainable, compliant, and efficient as it scales its impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Finance: Lead long-range financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting while managing month-end/year-end close and annual audits.
• Operational Oversight: Manage day-to-day operations, including IT, facilities, vendor relationships, and organisational risk.
• People & Culture: Oversee HR operations, payroll, and benefits, while contributing to a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Leadership: Serve as a key member of the SLT, advising the Board of Trustees on the financial implications of strategic initiatives.

The Candidate

You will be a proactive, collaborative leader who can translate complex financial data into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.

Essential Requirements:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Experience in a leadership role within the charity sector.
• Proven experience leading HR or administrative functions.
• A strategic thinker capable of managing multiple projects and deadlines under pressure.

Salary range is £65,000 - £70,000 + Benefits (including 7% non-contributory pension)

Hybrid working model with 2 days per week in the office, which is in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis therefore please apply ASAP to ensure your details are considered.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Director of Finance and Operations post is a key role within WDC, Whale and Dolphin Conservation.  Responsible for providing strategic leadership across finance and operational functions, the post holder will ensure WDC has the resources to deliver our mission, ensure WDC meets reporting and governance standards and ensure timely and efficient reporting to all levels of WDC employees, trustees and relevant external bodies and will ensure resources are deployed to maximise operational benefit.  Alongside this, this new position will lead core operational functions of Supporter Services (including leadership of the CRM), facilities and IT.

Pattern Church was launched in December 2018 by the Diocese of Bristol as a Revitalisation Trust Resource Church with a vision of inviting people into family to serve Swindon. Since then, the church has grown rapidly, planted two new churches (The Well and The Light Church), and become a hub of mission and community life across the town.

The Director of Operations is part of the leadership of the church, providing the organisational, financial, and strategic backbone that enables mission and ministry to flourish. They will work closely with the Senior Leader, Trustees, and wider staff team to turn strategic vision into practical reality, ensuring strong governance, robust systems, sound stewardship, and an effective, faith-filled culture across all areas of church life.

Our team culture is shaped by GRACE—we are Growing, Reliant, All-in, Championing, and Expectant. Everyone gets involved. There is a clear sense of what we’re trying to achieve together in serving God and helping people find and grow in faith in Jesus. 

We are living in a moment of remarkable spiritual opportunity. Research shows a sharp rise in openness to faith among younger generations, something we see reflected in our own ministry and growth. The opportunities before us are significant, and the Operations Director will play a pivotal role in enabling us to step into this season with confidence and clarity.

For a full job description and information about how to apply, please head to the Pattern Church website.

Closing date: March 10th

Interviews w/c March 16th

To apply please send a CV and a cover letter by email. In your cover letter please highlight how your experience and skills relate to the job description and essential skills.

Director of Finance and Operations
 Arts & Cultural Organisation
London / Hybrid
Salary: Competitive

A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced and strategic Director of Finance and Operations to join a respected international arts and cultural organisation at a pivotal stage in its development. This is a senior leadership role, working closely with the executive team and board to strengthen operations, improve organisational effectiveness, and support the delivery of an ambitious programme of work.

The organisation operates from a central hub in central london and works with a wide network of partners, artists, funders and stakeholders. It is entering a period of growth and is seeking a commercially aware, operationally focused leader who can bring stability, structure and forward planning to the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day operational management of the organisation across finance, facilities, HR, governance and administration

• Working closely with the executive leadership team to deliver organisational strategy and ensure operational alignment

• Oversight of the listed building and facilities team.

• Supporting budgeting, financial planning and resource allocation across programmes and functions

• Overseeing HR, organisational development and team structures

• Ensuring effective governance, risk management and compliance with relevant regulations

• Building strong relationships with funders, partners and external stakeholders

• Supporting the organisation through  with a focus on sustainability and long-term growth

The successful candidate will:

• Have significant senior leadership experience in operations, finance or general management

• Be qualified accountant

• Be comfortable working in a complex or multi-stakeholder environment

• Bring strong organisational, financial and strategic planning skills

• Have experience strengthening processes, systems and governance

• Be an effective relationship builder, with strong communication and influencing skills

• Be adaptable, hands-on and comfortable operating in evolving or ambiguous environments

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior leader who is motivated by purpose-led work and is excited by the challenge of shaping the operational future of a creative, international organisation.

Keychange is a Christian charity with a proud history of supporting people invulnerable situations for over a century. We believe that everyone has dignity and worth, and that people thrive best in communities where they are known, valued and supported. Across our care homes and housing communities, we seek to provide support that goes beyond compliance and is rooted in compassion, excellence and Christian values.

We are now seeking a Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our services and ensuring that our vision is lived out every day across the organisation.

The role

As Director of Operations, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team, working closely with the CEO and Board to translate strategy into high-quality, sustainable delivery with exciting future developments ahead.

You will provide strategic and operational leadership across 7 care homes and 3 housing communities in the south of England, leading and supporting a talented operations team to deliver safe, effective and person-centred services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing visible leadership that embeds Keychange’s Christian vision, values and culture across all services
• Leading and overseeing multi-site operations, ensuring consistently high standards of care, safeguarding and support
• Holding accountability for regulatory compliance, quality assurance and service improvement
• Driving operational excellence, innovation and efficiency through effective systems and processes
• Ensuring services are financially sustainable, working closely with finance colleagues on budgets and resources
• Developing, coaching and inspiring senior managers and leaders to perform at their best

This is a senior role with real influence – both on the strategic direction of Keychange and on the lives of hundreds of people we support.

About you

We are looking for a values-led, strategic and credible leader who brings:

• Senior leadership experience within social care, housing, homelessness or a closely related sector
• A proven track record of leading multi-site services and managing senior operational leaders
• Strong experience of working within regulated environments and delivering high-quality, compliant services
• Sound financial and commercial awareness, with experience of managing budgets and resources  of a similar scale to Keychange (250 staff across 10 sites)
• A passion for developing people, culture and values-driven practice
• A personal commitment to the Christian faith and active agreement with the Keychange mission, vision and faith basis. (This is a genuine occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010)

You will be someone who combines strategic thinking with practical delivery, and who leads with integrity, humility and purpose.

What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior leadership role where your professional expertise and Christian faith can make a lasting and meaningful difference.

The role involves regular travel across our sites in the south of England with flexibility around base location.

The Operations Director is a  senior leadership role at St Stephen’s, helping turn vision and strategy into effective day-to-day delivery. A highly relational role, combining strong operational leadership with collaboration, trust-building and a genuine care for people. The person we are looking for will lead across people, finance, systems, buildings and operations helping the church respond to the Holy Spirit and deliver our mission well.

Assistant Director of Operations
Salary: £72,000 per annum
Work Pattern: This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week.
Location: Your base can be at any of the 6 mainland UK Discovery Sites: Arundel BN18, Llanelli SA14, London SW13, Martin Mere L40, Slimbridge GL2 or Washington NE38. The 7th site is Castle Espie.
For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.

About The Role

WWT is the charity for wetlands.

This is a critical role in the recently restructured Operations Directorate at WWT. As Assistant Director, you will be directly responsible for the performance of our 7 Wetland Discovery sites. You will provide inspiring and professional leadership to your teams, whilst proactively collaborating cross organisation and externally.

Your focus will be on driving meaningful improvements at sites across our three ambitions of Restore, Inspire and Thrive, with emphasis on financial performance driven by visitor experiences. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will directly manage two Heads of Operations, a Head of Retail and Head of Catering. You will indirectly lead more than 400 staff and volunteers across Living Collections, Reserve Management, Visitor Experience, Trading, Marketing, Facilities and Grounds.

You will work closely with Health & Safety and Sustainability leads to ensure good governance and compliance at sites and across the Operations Directorate.

You will have a background working in visitor attractions or a very similar sector, coupled with a passion for purpose-led organisations and a keen interest in the environment. You will be an inspiring leader with high levels of emotional intelligence and values & behaviours that align with WWT.

About You

To join as our Assistant Director of Operations, you will need to evidence:

• Experience in a senior position(s) held in the visitor attraction/events management sectors, directly accountable for site operations and visitor experience throughout the visitor journey.
• Strong skills in leading business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, and delivery of significant capital projects across £multi-million business unit(s).
• Demonstrable ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate large (>100) diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
• The ability to develop, communicate and implement strategic change, turning organisational vision into improvements at scale.
• An inspirational and empathetic leadership style, able to role model an organisation’s values and behaviours, and to evidence strong emotional intelligence. Able to prioritise effectively, to collaborate, network and influence internally and externally at a senior level.
• A highly creative and inquisitive mindset, able to spot and exploit potential opportunities, keen to explore, test and learn as a means of driving continual improvement and excellence in the visitor experience.
• Experience of working collaboratively with insight, marketing and communications teams to deliver strong brand and marketing campaigns which drive footfall.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

Closing Date: 23rd February 2026

N.B. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

Finance & Operations Director Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

£75,000 Full-time | 35 hours per week | Southwell, Nottinghamshire

A Calling to Serve Through Professional Excellence The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham recognises that our world is in desperate need of hope. In a post-Covid age and cost of living crisis, with our country's structures and systems under pressure and the increasing mental health challenges facing young people, the cry for hope is clear. We believe that hope is found in Jesus Christ, which the church is uniquely placed to share in every community.

The Diocese has a vision of Living Hope for the city, towns and villages of Nottinghamshire and beyond and is committed to its mission of Growing Disciples of Christ with Compassion, Confidence and Courage. A key aspect of that vision is the articulation of 7 Areas of Focus which healthy churches attend to: Inspiring Worship, Reaching Younger, Enhancing Diversity, Growing Leaders, Enabling Commitment, Encouraging Generosity and Nurturing Prayer.

Could you bring your finance leadership expertise to support our mission of Growing Disciples of Christ with Compassion, Confidence and Courage?

About Your New Ministry Context

The Diocese covers the city of Nottingham, the county of Nottinghamshire, with a few parishes in South Yorkshire. As part of the Church of England, we serve over a million people through a network of 300 churches and 73 church schools.

Based at Jubilee House in the beautiful market town of Southwell, the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) is the registered charity and company limited by guarantee through which the Diocese operates. You'll be joining an organisation with a clear vision of Living Hope for the city, towns and villages of Nottinghamshire and beyond.

This is an exciting time for the Diocese. In November 2024, we secured £33.16 million from the Church of England's Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board for a decade-long Church Growth Programme. This significant investment will fund church revitalisation, evangelism, discipleship, vocations and the development of younger leaders across our communities. The new Finance & Operations Director will play a pivotal role in stewarding these resources and ensuring ongoing financial sustainability.

Your Role as Finance Leader Reporting to the Chief Executive, you will lead the finance function as a trusted partner to both the Jubilee House Leadership Team and the Bishop's Core Team. This is a strategic role where you'll shape the financial direction of the Diocese while providing hands-on support to parishes navigating financial challenges. You will combine strategic financial stewardship with operational oversight, ensuring the Diocese’s resources are effectively managed in alignment with the vision and mission. You will work collaboratively across the organisation, with frequent and detailed parish engagement, to shape and implement financial strategy, while also leading the administration of financial initiatives which include, giving, strategic operations and property-related activities.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Collaboratively support the development and implementation of financial strategies
• that align missionally with the diocesan seven areas of focus, across the Diocese with particular support to Parishes.
• Prepare and present financial reports, including budgets, forecasts, and risk
• analyses, to senior management and decision making committees.
• Engage with third party contractors to advise on financial planning, investment
• strategies, and capital structure decisions.
• Ensures the diocesan residential property portfolio strategically meets missional needs.

Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations, including HR, Property and Finance teams.
• Implement policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Manage relationships with committees, contractors, and other external partners

Risk and Compliance Oversight

• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and National Church standards.
• Coordinate audits and implement internal controls.

Team Leadership

• Leading and developing the finance and operations teams to deliver excellent service
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Collaborate with other departments to align operational goals with the overall Diocesan vision, mission and strategy.

Who We're Looking For Professional Excellence

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience
• Extensive experience in financial management and operational leadership.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.

Essential Faith Requirement There is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be a committed Christian in the Anglican tradition or another member denomination of Churches Together in England. You'll need a strong understanding and empathy with the aims, ethos and beliefs of the Christian faith and its expression through the Church of England.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communicator who can make complex financial issues accessible to non-financial audiences
• Collaborative team player with an open working style
• Effective influencer who can build trust with clergy, lay leaders and external stakeholders
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

What We Offer

• Competitive salary: £75,000
• Generous pension: 10% of salary contributed by the Diocese
• Excellent work-life balance: 35-hour working week with hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Generous leave: 25 days annual leave + 5 discretionary days (predetermined dates) + 8 bank holidays
• Additional benefits:
  • Free onsite parking in our scenic location
  • Maternity, paternity and shared parental occupational pay
  • Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
  • Employee Assistance Programme with counselling, legal and health advice
• Relocation packages considered for successful candidates relocating from outside of the local area
• Meaningful work: The opportunity to directly support the Church's mission in communities across Nottinghamshire

Ready to Answer the Call? If you're a talented finance professional who wants to work for an organisation with a fantastic culture that makes a real difference, enables change, and has a clear purpose rooted in Christian faith, we'd love to hear from you.

Closing date of 17th Februrary 2026

Join us in our mission to bring hope and transformation to communities across Nottinghamshire and beyond.

The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community and strive to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lead complex, high-impact services that support people to live well and help shape the future of social care in Southend.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026
Location: Southend-on-Sea and services-based

About Southend Care

Southend Care is a wholly owned local authority company delivering a broad range of adult social care services, including older people’s care homes, domiciliary care, supported living, mental health services and community-based provision.

Operating across multiple locations with a lean, committed leadership team, the organisation is known for its adaptability, responsiveness and ability to manage change in a challenging and fast-moving environment.

With a refreshed board, new non-executive directors and a renewed focus on culture, engagement and commercial resilience, Southend Care is looking ahead with confidence. We are also on a journey towards providing services for children and young people, so there has never been a better time to join us.

About the role

Southend Care is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Operations to play a pivotal role in leading and shaping high-quality social care services across the city. This is a rare opportunity to join a values-driven, commercially aware organisation at an exciting point in its evolution, helping to strengthen operational performance, embed a positive culture and support sustainable growth.

As Director of Operations, you will take overall responsibility for the operational leadership, quality, safeguarding and performance of services. Working closely with the Managing Director and Director of Corporate Services, you will provide visible, credible leadership to managers and frontline teams, ensuring services are safe, person-centred and financially sustainable.

You will play a central role in developing managers, strengthening consistency across services, improving engagement with stakeholders and service users and supporting opportunities for service development and growth.

This is a genuinely hands-on role in a small senior team, requiring someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves while also contributing strategically to the organisation’s future direction.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an operationally strong, people-focused leader with senior experience across social care and a deep understanding of regulated services. You will bring credibility in areas such as safeguarding, quality improvement and service delivery, ideally in older people’s services, domiciliary care, mental health or supported living.

You will be comfortable working autonomously in a lean environment, visible and approachable in your leadership style and confident holding managers to account while building trust and rapport.

Commercial awareness, adaptability and a collaborative mindset are essential, as is a genuine commitment to service user and staff experience.

Above all, you will bring the energy, personality and practical leadership needed to thrive in a close-knit team and help Southend Care continue to evolve and succeed.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 26th February 2026.