Head of Operations in Swansea

The Western Bay Alliance (WeBA) brings together four respected organisations to deliver substance use services across Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot. The Head of Operations will work with key stakeholders—including local councils, police, prison and probation services, and the Swansea Bay University Health Board—to ensure integrated, high‑quality care.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Alliance Management Team and support Alliance Leadership Team governance.
• Monitor and report on Alliance performance, outcomes, and risks.
• Maintain oversight of financial planning, delegated spending, and budget monitoring.
• Develop and maintain operational policies, service models, and quality frameworks.
• Strengthen partnerships across the substance use system, housing, mental health, and criminal justice sectors.
• Ensure consistent implementation of the Alliance communication strategy.
• Embed co‑production and engagement with people using services.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, enhanced system collaboration, and service improvement.
• Work collaboratively with Swansea Bay University Health Board service and clinical leads, and other stakeholders, to support integrated service delivery and effective governance arrangements.

Experience

• Excellent working knowledge of the Substance Use, Mental Health, Housing and Care & Support sectors.
• Successful at fundraising and tender writing in the third sector.
• Staff management and leadership experience.
• Strong background covering multiple organisations and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Experience of networking and liaising with agencies in the voluntary and statutory sector.
• Experience of managing large‑scale change.
• Experience of planning and monitoring budgets.
• Experience of working on promotional and marketing campaigns/material.
• Experience of developing strategies, policies and procedures.
• Experience of report writing.
• Experience of contract management.

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Educated to degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of statutory procurement procedures.
• Project management background with experience of any framework (Agile, MSP, PRINCE2).
• Leadership and management qualification.

Abilities

• Expert communicator, able to make solution‑focused decisions quickly and confidently.
• Proven record of liaising, negotiating and influencing across a wide range of organisations.
• Continuous improvement mindset, focused on improving existing processes to maximise ‘best for people’ outcomes.
• Ability to work on own initiative and without day‑to‑day supervision.
• Ability to navigate and inspire confidence and motivation to joint goals across different organisations.
• Ability to prioritise, manage and organise a varied and demanding workload.
• Ability to promote the Alliance and influence a wide range of individuals and external contacts.
• Ability to coordinate and support development of plans and services.
• Ability to ensure processes for quality and equality impact assessment are in place for supporting change.
• Ability to develop and utilise systems for risk management and mitigation.
• Demonstrates the Values & Principles of the Alliance.
• Collaborative, coaching leadership style.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, with a “can do” attitude.
• Able to influence without authority.
• Goal‑orientated, problem solver, demonstrating resilience and the ability to work under pressure.
• Able to make and maintain trusting professional working relationships with clients, suppliers, funders and colleagues.
• Able to complete tasks to a high quality and to set high standards for others.
• Commitment to partnership and collaborative working.
• System thinker.

Additional: Possession of a current valid driving licence and access to own transport; willingness to occasionally work outside normal office hours.