At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative operations to end homelessness across multiple locations.
- Company: Crisis, the national charity dedicated to ending homelessness.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a mission-driven role during a pivotal change.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in relevant sectors and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ 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.
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.
Working at Crisis
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.
Values and Benefits
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.
Director of Operations (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Merseyside) employer: Crisis
Crisis is an exceptional employer dedicated to ending homelessness, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values diversity and collaboration. As a Director of Operations, you will lead transformative initiatives across Edinburgh, Newcastle, and Merseyside, with access to competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to employee wellbeing. Join us in making a meaningful impact while thriving in a workplace that champions your growth and contributions.
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 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 thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in making a difference in ending homelessness.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've inspired teams through change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and highlight your impact.
✨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 at Crisis and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations (Edinburgh, Newcastle, Merseyside)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for ending homelessness shine through. We want to see how motivated you are by our mission and how your values align with ours.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant senior leadership experience in your application. We’re looking for examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire and empower teams during periods of change.
Be Data-Driven:Don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical skills. Use specific examples where you've used data to drive service improvement or operational success. This will show us you can make impactful decisions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crisis
✨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 Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples of your senior leadership experience, especially in sectors like homelessness or social care. Highlight instances where you inspired teams through change, as this role is all about leading during transformation.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Brush up on your analytical skills and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive service improvements in previous roles. Bring examples that demonstrate your ability to manage complex budgets and generate actionable insights.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Crisis values collaboration, so think of examples where you've built partnerships or influenced diverse audiences. Be ready to discuss how you can work effectively with frontline staff, senior politicians, and funders alike.
