Operation Director

Operations Director - Children’s Residential Care
Full-Time, Hybrid Permanent Contract
Location: South West England
Salary: Competitive executive salary and benefits package, including car allowance and performance-related bonus. Full remuneration details available on request.

I am delighted to be working exclusively with a respected independent children’s residential care provider to find an experienced, hands-on Responsible Individual to join them as Operations Director. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will hold overall responsibility for a group of children’s homes, providing visible, values-led leadership that keeps children at the heart of every decision.

This is a rare opportunity to make a genuine difference. All homes are rated Good, and the ambition now is to raise quality and consistency so that every child receives exceptional, child-centred care. You will achieve this by developing your Registered Managers, partnering closely with the Head of Care and being a visible presence in the homes.

You will have real autonomy to shape the service and manage your own diary, backed by the resources of a larger group, including direct access to the Managing Director and support from central HR, Finance, Maintenance and training teams. It is the best of both worlds: the influence and ownership of a smaller service, with the stability of an established organisation.

If you are a values-driven leader who combines compassion with credibility, and who is motivated by changing outcomes for children, this role offers the chance to leave a lasting mark.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as Responsible Individual (RI) for several children’s homes, ensuring compliance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards
• Work in close partnership with the Head of Care to oversee service delivery, Registered Managers and wider staff teams
• Drive improvements in care quality, helping homes achieve consistently strong Good and Outstanding Ofsted outcomes
• Ensure safeguarding is embedded throughout all aspects of service delivery
• Be visible and hands-on across the homes
• Support and develop newly appointed managers, building their confidence, capability, accountability and commercial awareness
• Strengthen leadership across the service, developing a consistent approach while respecting the identity of each home
• Embed the service within the wider group, making use of central HR, Finance, Maintenance and training support
• Reduce reliance on agency staff by improving recruitment, retention and workforce stability
• Work with Finance and the Managing Director to manage budgets, occupancy and costs, balancing financial sustainability with quality of care and the needs of children
• Maintain effective relationships with Ofsted, local authorities, commissioners and other stakeholders
• Provide regular governance and compliance reporting to senior leadership and the Board

About You:

• An experienced Responsible Individual with a proven track record at senior level in residential children’s services
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience of managing multiple children’s homes and leading improvement programmes
• Warm, approachable and influential, balancing supportive leadership with firmness when required
• Genuinely child-focused, prioritising quality of care and outcomes alongside commercial performance
• Strong financial and commercial awareness, including staffing costs and financial sustainability
• Able to balance hands-on involvement with stepping back to assess the bigger picture and lead strategically
• Adaptable, with sound judgement and the ability to lead change, improve processes and contribute to wider business growth.
• Exceptional knowledge of safeguarding legislation and practice
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel
• Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check

What’s On Offer:

• Competitive executive salary
• Annual car allowance
• Performance related bonus, linked to home inspection ratings.
• Autonomy to manage your own diary and respond to operational priorities, with no rigid office hours
• Regular contact with, and direct access to, the Managing Director for support and decision-making
• Access to central group support functions, including HR, Finance, Maintenance and training
• Opportunities to collaborate and share best practice with other residential businesses within the group
   

Contact Detail:
To apply, or for more information and an informal confidential discussion please contact Madeleine Crosley at 0161 507 5060 or [email protected]

Compass Associates Ltd is acting as a Recruitment Consultancy for this permanent vacancy. We offer a £500 voucher for successful referrals following completion of probation.