At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations to end homelessness and inspire teams across multiple locations.
- Company: Crisis, a national charity dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and support for personal development.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and making a difference.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal leadership role during a transformative period.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in relevant sectors and strong partnership-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 74572 - 74572 £ per year.
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We have embarked on our 10-year strategy for ending homelessness. We know it is not inevitable. We know together we can end it.
Location: Based in either Crisis Skylight Edinburgh (EH8 8BQ), Newcastle (NE1 2AF) or Merseyside (L1 5BD) at least three days per week. There is an expectation of regular travel across all sites and travel to our London head office approximately once every six weeks.
Contract: 12-month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity, including external secondments. Salary: £74,572 per annum.
About the role: This is an exciting opportunity to step into a pivotal senior leadership role at a critical moment for Crisis. We are looking for a Director of Operations on a 12-month fixed term contract or secondment, someone who thrives in periods of transformation and can lead a geographically dispersed senior team. If you are energised by complexity, motivated by mission, and ready to make a real difference during a period of change, we want to hear from you.
With a bold new strategic direction placing Client Services at the heart of ending homelessness, Crisis is implementing a place-based approach to system change, becoming a housing provider, and scaling the impact of our nine Skylights and Christmas offer. This role sits at the centre of that change. You will provide strong, values-led leadership across our Skylights in Edinburgh, Newcastle and Merseyside, senior support to the Lead Clinical Psychologist as well as the entirety of Client Services across Great Britain. You will be bold in driving continuous improvement, collaborative in your approach to partnerships, impactful in your use of data and insight, and equitable in your leadership.
About you: Significant senior leadership experience in a relevant sector, such as homelessness, adult social care, health, education, or employment, with a strong track record of inspiring and empowering people and teams through change. Excellent networking, partnership-building and influencing skills, adaptable to a range of audiences from frontline staff to senior politicians and funders. A proven track record in operational leadership: implementing quality standards, compliance assurance, governance, and driving continuous service improvement. Strong analytical skills and confidence using data to generate insight that improves service effectiveness, alongside experience managing significant and complex budgets. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and an understanding of psychologically informed, trauma-informed approaches when working with people who have experienced complex adversity. A genuine commitment to Crisis purpose and values, and a passion for ending homelessness; we particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of homelessness.
We realise that long lists of criteria can be daunting, and you may not want to apply for a role unless you feel 100% qualified. However, if you feel you have relevant examples to answer the screening questions, we encourage you to apply. We believe diversity is a strength, and our aim is to make sure that Crisis truly reflects the communities we serve. We are actively working towards our organisation being a place where everyone can thrive and make their best contribution to our mission of ending homelessness for good. We know that the more perspectives, voices, and experiences we can bring to this work, the better. We particularly welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness, and people from all marginalised groups, communities, and backgrounds.
Working at Crisis: Our values, Bold, Impactful, Collaborative and Equitable, are at the heart of everything we do as we continue in our mission to end homelessness. Our staff, members, volunteers and supporters are vital to getting the right government policies in place, providing breakthrough services, and building a supportive community. We will lead by example to nurture a positive and ambitious workplace guided by ending homelessness.
As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits including:
- A competitive salary. Please note our salaries are fixed to counter inequity and we do not negotiate at offer stage.
- Interest free loans for travel season ticket, cycle to work, and deposit to secure a tenancy.
- Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 8.5%.
- 28 days annual leave (pro rata) which increases with service to 31 days and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days leave.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay.
- Wellbeing Leave to be used flexibly.
- And more! (Full list of benefits available on website).
Alongside our excellent staff benefits, we will support your ongoing development to build your skills, experience, and career. When you join us, you will have the opportunity to join our staff diversity networks, which aim to champion issues across the organisation, enable staff to be their authentic and best selves and contribute to making Crisis a truly diverse organisation.
How do I apply? Please click on the 'Apply for Job' button below. Our shortlisting process is anonymised as part of our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We do not ask for CVs, instead we ask you complete the work history section and answer the screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively. At least two members of staff score all applications.
Closing date: Tuesday 9 June 2026 at 23:59. Stakeholder panel interview: Thursday 25 June 2026 online via Microsoft Teams. Main panel interview date and location: Friday 3 July 2026 at Crisis Skylight Edinburgh.
Accessibility: We want our recruitment process to be as accessible as possible. If you need us to make an adjustment or provide additional support as you apply for a role, please email our Talent Acquisition team to discuss how we can help.
Director of Operations (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Merseyside) employer: CRISIS UK
Crisis is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending homelessness, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and collaboration. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional development, all while making a meaningful impact in communities across Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Merseyside. With a commitment to employee wellbeing and a mission-driven environment, Crisis empowers its staff to thrive and contribute to transformative change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Merseyside)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Crisis. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Crisis and its mission. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you articulate why you're the perfect fit for the Director of Operations role and show that you’re genuinely passionate about ending homelessness.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your leadership abilities and how you've driven change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your answers clear and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Crisis team. Remember, we value diversity, so bring your unique perspective to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Merseyside)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're filling out your application, let your true self shine through! We want to hear about your unique experiences and how they relate to the role. Don’t be afraid to share your passion for ending homelessness.
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to tailor your answers to the screening questions. Highlight your relevant experience in leadership and operational roles, and connect it back to our mission at Crisis. Show us why you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Skills:Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in networking, partnership-building, and data analysis. We love seeing how you've made an impact in previous roles, so don’t hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered fairly. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRISIS UK
✨Know the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into Crisis's mission and values. Understand their approach to ending homelessness and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows genuine interest and commitment.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your senior leadership experience, especially in sectors like homelessness or social care. Highlight times when you inspired teams through change or improved service delivery, as this is crucial for the Director of Operations role.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive operational improvements. Think of instances where your insights led to better decision-making or enhanced service effectiveness.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Crisis values collaboration, so come ready to talk about your partnership-building skills. Share examples of how you've worked with diverse stakeholders, from frontline staff to senior politicians, to achieve common goals.
