At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead adult services in Wales, driving performance and quality improvements.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on impactful adult social care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity to make a real difference, and leadership experience.
- Other info: Empowerment to lead and influence outcomes in challenging environments.
- Why this job: Step into a high-impact role and shape recovery strategies across the region.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in adult social care and strong regulatory knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 € per year.
We are seeking an experienced and resilient Assistant Director of Operations to lead adult services across Wales on a 12-month interim basis. This is a high-impact turnaround role, offering full regional accountability for operational performance, quality, safeguarding, and financial sustainability. You will take ownership of stabilising underperforming services, leading complex recovery programmes, and managing regulatory and commissioner relationships in challenging environments. This is a role for a confident senior leader who thrives under pressure and is comfortable making tough, high-stakes decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Regional Leadership
- Provide senior oversight across all adult services in Wales
- Drive performance, quality, safeguarding, and compliance
- Lead and hold Registered Managers accountable through robust governance
- Maintain strong onsite presence, particularly in services requiring intervention
- Turnaround & Transformation
- Lead recovery of failing or high-risk services
- Deliver improvement plans, workforce stabilisation, and financial recovery
- Manage service closures with care, ensuring continuity for individuals and families
- Quality & Regulatory Oversight
- Act as the senior lead for CIW assurance across the region
- Oversee inspection readiness and regulatory responses
- Embed strong governance, audit, and assurance frameworks
- Maintain rigorous attention to detail in compliance and documentation
- Risk & Safeguarding
- Lead on safeguarding, serious incidents, and complaints
- Manage complex investigations and multi-agency responses
- Escalate risk appropriately to Executive and Board level
- Financial Accountability
- Own regional budgets and cost control
- Deliver financial recovery plans for high-risk services
- Support fee negotiations and commissioner engagement
- Stakeholder Management
- Build and manage relationships with Local Authorities, including high-challenge environments
- Represent the organisation with authority in sensitive or adversarial situations
- Leadership & Culture
- Lead teams through change, instability, and pressure
- Address underperformance decisively
- Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and high standards
About You
You will be a proven senior operational leader with a strong track record in adult social care.
Essential Experience
- Senior leadership experience in adult social care, learning disability and/or autism services
- Proven success in turnaround and recovery environments
- Strong experience with CIW inspections and regulatory engagement
- Experience managing service closures or major redesign
- Track record of handling complex Local Authority relationships
- Strong safeguarding leadership experience
- Financial accountability for large, complex service portfolios
Key Attributes
- Exceptional attention to detail and governance discipline
- Strong risk assessment and decision-making capability
- Confident communicator at Executive and Board level
- Resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure
- High integrity and accountability
Qualifications
- Level 5 qualification in Leadership & Management for Health and Social Care (Wales) (or equivalent)
- Ongoing professional development aligned to senior leadership
- Desirable: Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience
- Registration with Social Care Wales
Why Apply?
This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior, high-impact interim leadership role where you can make a tangible difference across a regional portfolio. You'll be empowered to lead from the front, shape recovery strategies, and influence outcomes at scale.
Locations
Assistant Director of Operations in Neath, Wales employer: Coburg Banks Limited
As an employer, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture that empowers our leaders to make impactful changes in adult services across Wales. With a strong focus on professional development and a commitment to quality and safeguarding, we offer our employees the opportunity to thrive in a challenging yet rewarding environment, where their contributions directly enhance the lives of individuals and families. Join us in Neath, where your leadership can drive meaningful transformation and recovery in vital services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Operations in Neath, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its challenges. Understand their operational needs and think about how your experience can help them turn things around. Tailor your responses to show you’re the confident leader they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your leadership style and how you handle high-pressure situations. Use examples from your past roles to demonstrate your ability to lead teams through change and achieve results.
✨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 platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Operations in Neath, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your senior leadership experience in adult social care and any turnaround successes you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for adult services and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Remember, we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on quantifiable achievements. Did you lead a successful recovery programme? How did you improve service quality? Numbers speak volumes, so let us know how you made a difference in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join the StudySmarter family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coburg Banks Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Assistant Director of Operations. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around turnaround and transformation. Be ready to discuss your past experiences in similar high-pressure environments and how you've successfully led recovery programmes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires a confident senior leader. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead teams through change and instability. Think about specific situations where you've addressed underperformance or fostered a culture of accountability and professionalism.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Since you'll be overseeing CIW assurance and regulatory responses, brush up on your knowledge of compliance and governance frameworks. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed inspections and maintained rigorous attention to detail in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Building relationships with Local Authorities is crucial. Prepare to talk about your experience managing complex stakeholder relationships, especially in challenging environments. Highlight any successful negotiations or engagements that demonstrate your ability to represent the organisation effectively.
