At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative operations to end homelessness across multiple locations.
- Company: Crisis, a national charity dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and interest-free loans for travel.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-driven role during a pivotal time.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in relevant sectors and strong partnership skills.
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.
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 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.
Please see the full Job Pack linked below, for a full list of requirements for this role. 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’ll 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: Thursday 2 June at Crisis Skylight Edinburgh
AI in Job Applications: We understand some candidates use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we want to learn more about you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences.
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 - South Wales, Birmingham and Oxford in Liverpool 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 competitive salaries, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional development, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a commitment to employee wellbeing and a focus on continuous improvement, Crisis provides a unique environment where staff can thrive and contribute to transformative change across South Wales, Birmingham, and Oxford.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations - South Wales, Birmingham and Oxford in Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Crisis or similar organisations. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. 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 experiences. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goal of ending homelessness, and come armed with examples of your past successes in leadership roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your vision for operational leadership and how you can drive change at Crisis.
✨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 team and making a difference in the fight against homelessness.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations - South Wales, Birmingham and Oxford in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When filling out your application, let your true self shine through. We want to know who you are and what drives you, so don’t be afraid to share your personal experiences and motivations related to ending homelessness.
Tailor Your Responses:Make sure to tailor your answers to the specific screening questions. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the role of Director of Operations. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:As a senior leader, we’re keen to see how you inspire and empower teams. Use examples from your past roles to illustrate your leadership style and how you’ve navigated change effectively.
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love detail, clarity is key! Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas clearly, so we can easily see your potential impact at Crisis.
How to prepare for a job interview at CRISIS UK
✨Know Your Mission
Before the interview, dive deep into Crisis' 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 Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your senior leadership experience, especially in times of change. Be ready to discuss how you've inspired teams and driven continuous improvement in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Director of Operations position.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to talk about how you've used data to improve service effectiveness. Think of specific instances where your insights led to positive outcomes, as this will resonate well with the panel.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Crisis values collaboration, so come equipped with examples of successful partnerships you've built. Discuss how you’ve worked with diverse stakeholders, from frontline staff to senior politicians, to drive impactful change.
