Commissioning General Manager

Lead a New Home Where Excellence Comes First. At Crystal Care Collection, we are passionate about creating luxury care homes that are not only exceptional places for our residents to live, but also inspiring places for our teams to work. In February 2027, we will open Heybridge Heights, our brand-new care home in Maldon, Essex. We are looking for an experienced, compassionate and commercially focused Commissioning General Manager to lead the home through its pre-opening journey and establish it as a thriving centre of excellence within the local community.

We believe outstanding care starts with outstanding leadership. This is more than a management role; it’s a unique opportunity to build a team, shape a culture and create an exceptional home from the very beginning.

About the Role

As Commissioning General Manager, you’ll take overall responsibility for the successful commissioning and opening of Heybridge Heights, before leading its ongoing operational, financial and regulatory performance. Working closely with our senior leadership and central support teams, you’ll oversee every aspect of the home’s journey to opening. This will include:

• Supporting regulatory readiness
• Recruiting and developing a high-performing team
• Establishing robust systems and processes
• Building relationships within the local community
• Generating a strong pipeline of prospective residents

Following the home’s opening, you’ll continue to lead and inspire the team, champion person-centred care and ensure Heybridge Heights delivers the exceptional standards expected of Crystal Care Collection.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership throughout the commissioning, opening and ongoing management of Heybridge Heights.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive commissioning plan to ensure the home is fully prepared for its planned opening in February 2027.
• Support the CQC registration process and ensure the home meets all regulatory, legal and company requirements ahead of opening.
• Recruit, onboard, develop and inspire a skilled and compassionate multidisciplinary team.
• Create a positive and inclusive culture from the outset, where residents receive outstanding person-centred care and colleagues feel valued, supported and empowered.
• Establish effective operational systems, policies and processes to ensure the home is safe, compliant and ready to welcome its first residents.
• Build strong relationships with prospective residents, families, healthcare professionals, local authorities, commissioners and other community partners.
• Drive pre-opening enquiries, conduct tours and support prospective residents and families throughout the decision-making and admissions process.
• Develop and deliver an effective occupancy strategy, ensuring the home builds and maintains a strong local reputation.
• Oversee financial performance, including pre-opening expenditure, budget management, cost control, forecasting and reporting.
• Manage staffing levels and resources effectively to support safe, efficient and sustainable growth as occupancy increases.
• Monitor and continually improve quality, resident outcomes and overall service delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, establishing Heybridge Heights as a centre of excellence within the local community.

About You

Essential

• Previous experience managing a care home or similar regulated healthcare service.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, motivate, develop and inspire a new team.
• Experience managing budgets and delivering strong operational and financial performance.
• Thorough understanding of Health Social Care legislation, CQC requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record of recruiting, retaining and developing high-performing teams.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to build occupancy, develop community relationships and promote a care service effectively.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage multiple commissioning priorities, meet deadlines and maintain high standards in a fast-paced environment.
• A compassionate, approachable and professional leadership style.
• Hold, or be working towards, an NVQ Level 5 in Leadership for Health Social Care or equivalent.

Desirable

• Previous experience commissioning or opening a new care home or regulated healthcare service.
• Experience working with the Care Quality Commission, including registration and regulatory inspections.
• A successful track record of building occupancy within a new or developing care home.
• Knowledge of Person Centred Software (PCS).
• Understanding of local authority commissioning processes and relationships.
• Knowledge of the Maldon and wider Essex health and social care market.

Working Pattern

Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm, 40 hours per week. Flexibility to support the commissioning and operational needs of the home, including occasional evenings or weekends where required.

Salary

£65,000 - £75,000 per annum.

Why Join Crystal Care Collection?

• Competitive salary package.
• The unique opportunity to commission and lead a brand-new luxury care home from the very beginning.
• Genuine autonomy to build your team, shape the home’s culture and establish exceptional standards.
• Support from an experienced senior leadership team and dedicated central functions throughout the commissioning journey.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
• A forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation, growth and excellence.
• The chance to make a meaningful and lasting difference to residents, families, colleagues and the local community.

Join Our Leadership Team

This is an exceptional opportunity to bring a new home to life and create something truly special from the outset. If you’re an experienced care home leader with the vision, commercial awareness and drive to deliver a successful commissioning journey while building a compassionate and high-performing culture, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us make Heybridge Heights a place where residents flourish, teams succeed and excellence is the standard.

We are currently unable to offer sponsorship. Our screening and recruitment process is conducted in line with Crystal Care Collection's Safeguarding Policy.