At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance domiciliary care services, ensuring high-quality, person-centred care.
- Company: Join a charity dedicated to making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, health programmes, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Degree-level qualification and senior leadership experience in care settings required.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Purpose of the Role
The Director of Operations & Quality Compliance provides strategic and operational leadership across all domiciliary care services within the charity. The post holder ensures that all branches deliver consistently high-quality, person-centred care and remain fully compliant with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulatory framework, maintaining GOOD or above ratings. The role ensures contractual performance standards are met or exceeded, oversees safeguarding, and drives continuous improvement across all services.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Strategic Management
Provide clear strategic direction for all domiciliary care operations, aligned with the charity's mission and values. Lead branch managers and operational leads to deliver safe, effective, responsive, well-led and caring services. Contribute to organisational strategic planning and participate as a key member of the senior leadership team. - Regulatory Compliance (CQC)
Ensure all branches achieve and maintain GOOD or higher outcomes in all CQC Key Lines of Enquiry. Oversee preparation for CQC inspections, including mock inspections, action plans, and evidence gathering. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of CQC standards, regulatory changes, and sector best practice. Lead internal audit and quality assurance processes, identifying risks and implementing mitigation plans. - Contractual & Performance Management
Ensure all services meet contractual obligations set by local authorities, NHS bodies, and other commissioners. Monitor KPIs including timeliness, continuity of care, safeguarding, complaints, workforce capacity, and service outcomes. Produce performance reports for the CEO, trustees, regulators, and commissioners. - Service Excellence & Continuous Improvement
Develop and implement quality improvement strategies across all branches. Analyse performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Introduce new policies, procedures, and best-practice frameworks to strengthen care delivery. Lead service development projects and innovation initiatives. - Workforce Leadership
Promote a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and compassionate leadership. - Safeguarding, Risk & Incident Management
Act as the organisational lead for safeguarding (or work closely with the designated safeguarding lead). Ensure robust reporting, investigation, and learning processes for incidents, accidents, and complaints. Maintain the organisation's risk register for operational and quality matters. - Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
Build strong relationships with commissioners, local authorities, CQC inspectors, and community partners. Represent the organisation in contract meetings, quality reviews, and sector forums. Communicate service performance and quality outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
General Responsibilities
Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery and leadership. Maintain confidentiality and comply with GDPR/data protection regulations. Uphold the charity's values, safeguarding responsibilities, and code of conduct. Undertake any additional duties relevant to the role.
Person Specification
- Qualifications
Essential: Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in health or social care, operations management, or a related field. Relevant professional qualification (e.g., Level 5 in Leadership for Health & Social Care, Registered Manager Award, or equivalent). Evidence of continued professional development.
Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in management, leadership, quality, or similar. Training in audit, quality improvement, or project management. - Experience
Essential: Senior leadership experience within domiciliary care, social care, or a regulated care setting. Proven track record of achieving GOOD or OUTSTANDING outcomes under CQC. Experience managing multi-site services or operational teams. Strong experience in quality assurance, compliance, and regulatory frameworks. Experience working with local authority/NHS contracts and commissioner performance requirements. Evidence of leading change, service improvement, and transformation projects.
Desirable: Experience in the charity/not-for-profit sector. Experience managing budgets and financial performance. - Knowledge
Essential: In-depth understanding of CQC regulations, inspection frameworks, and Key Lines of Enquiry. Strong knowledge of safeguarding (adults and children), risk management, and incident reporting. Understanding of domiciliary care contract management and KPIs. Knowledge of workforce planning and care sector recruitment challenges. - Skills & Competencies
Essential: Exceptional leadership and people-management skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. Ability to interpret complex information, data, and performance reports. High level of organisational and project management ability. Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines. Strong digital literacy (care management systems, reporting tools, MS Office).
Desirable: Ability to drive innovation and adapt services to new regulatory or commissioning requirements. - Personal Qualities
Compassionate and person-centred approach. High integrity, professionalism, and accountability. Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and ethical practice. Strategic thinker able to maintain a hands-on approach when needed. Positive, resilient, and solutions-focused.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £50,000.00 per year
Benefits: Bereavement leave, Company events, Company pension, Employee mentoring programme, Health & wellbeing programme, On-site parking
Experience: Home Care Registered Manager: 5 years (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Liverpool L33 7UY
Director of Operations employer: Caring Connections
Contact Detail:
Caring Connections Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the care sector, attend industry events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the charity's mission and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around quality compliance and service excellence. We want to see that passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and experience in achieving GOOD or OUTSTANDING outcomes under CQC.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in domiciliary care and compliance with CQC standards. We want to see how your skills align with our mission and values!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Director of Operations, your leadership experience is key. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to achieve GOOD or OUTSTANDING outcomes in previous roles. We love a good success story!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caring Connections
✨Know Your CQC Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Care Quality Commission regulations and the Key Lines of Enquiry. Brush up on recent changes and be ready to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in your previous roles. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the standards but also proactive in maintaining them.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach and how you’ve successfully led teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you’ve driven performance improvements or fostered a culture of accountability and continuous learning. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to inspire and manage diverse teams.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be ready to discuss how you use data to inform your decisions. Bring examples of how you’ve analysed performance metrics to identify trends and implement quality improvement strategies. This will highlight your analytical skills and your commitment to service excellence.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your experience in building relationships with commissioners, local authorities, and other stakeholders. Prepare to share how you’ve effectively communicated service performance and quality outcomes. This will show that you understand the importance of collaboration in achieving organisational goals.