Area Director – Complex Learning Difficulties

Job Title: Area Director - Forensic Learning Difficulties

Hours: Full-time, permanent

Location: Northwest Region (Bolton, Manchester, Preston, Barrowford, Brierfield, Worksop & surrounding areas)

Salary: £55,000 + £6,000 car allowance + 20% annual bonus

Benefits:

• 20% discretionary annual bonus
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays (rising to 30 with service)
• Holiday purchase scheme (up to 2 additional days)
• Recognition & long service awards
• Extensive learning & development pathways
• Life assurance (2 x annual salary)
• Wagestream
• Retail discounts (150+ retailers)
• Employee Assistance Programme & Mental Health First Aiders

Company:

A leading national provider supporting adults with learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and forensic backgrounds. The organisation is recognised as a Great Place to Work, and is known for its values-led culture, strong leadership ethos and commitment to colleague development. With a portfolio of high-quality Residential and Supported Living services, they are focused on delivering exceptional outcomes and enabling people to live meaningful, fulfilled lives.

Role:

This is a pivotal senior leadership position overseeing a group of high-performing services across the Northwest. The Area Director will drive service quality, team development, cultural alignment and operational excellence across a mixed portfolio including Learning Disabilities, PBS and Forensic services.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing inspirational leadership to Service Managers and multidisciplinary teams
• Being a visible and accessible senior leader across all services
• Ensuring a strong focus on people, quality, compliance and commercial performance
• Meeting financial, growth and quality KPIs
• Working with senior leadership and finance teams to develop and manage annual budgets
• Ensuring safe staffing, operational efficiency and well-maintained environments
• Upholding high standards across CQC, local authority and MDT partnerships
• Creating a positive, supportive culture where teams can thrive and progress

Candidate Requirements:

• Strong experience working with Learning Disabilities, complex behaviours, forensic cohorts and relevant legal frameworks
• Be an experienced Manager or Senior Leader within Supported Living and/or Residential services
• Bring excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrate confidence in managing CQC compliance and working with local authorities
• Be flexible, organised and comfortable with occasional on-call responsibilities
• Be committed to delivering person-centred, equitable and empowering care

Process:

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial discussion, followed by interviews with senior leadership.

Contact Details:

If you would like to be considered for this exciting opportunity, please contact Ashley Collishaw directly on 0161 527 9631. Alternatively, email an updated CV to [email protected]

Recommendations:

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultant for this permanent vacancy. Compass Associates offers a great incentive for recommendations - we offer £200 of John Lewis vouchers for each successful candidate recommended by you.