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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in delivering exceptional care services for autistic individuals.
- Company: Join SJOG, a charity known for its compassionate values and impactful work.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of annual leave, health plans, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of those with complex needs while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in operations and a passion for autism and mental health.
- Other info: Flexible working with travel required; excellent training and support provided.
The predicted salary is between 55166 - 55166 £ per year.
Role: Deputy Head of Complex Care
Location: Hybrid, travel expected nationally
Hours: Full time, Permanent
Salary: £55,166 pa plus excellent benefits
Defour Partnership is proud to partner with SJOG, a Charity with an outstanding reputation and whose values run through the heart of everything they do. We are recruiting for a Deputy Head of Operations in Complex Care, to support the Head of Operations within their specialist Complex Care division.
Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for delivering exceptional, person-centred services? Do you thrive in a values-driven organisation where compassion, respect and hospitality are at the heart of everything you do? Do you have a proven track record of transforming the lives of autistic people? If so, you may be the person we need to speak to.
We are looking for a Deputy Head of Operations (Complex Care) to help shape, strengthen and grow our complex care services nationally. Supporting the Head of Operations, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring our services not only meet but exceed contractual, regulatory and quality expectations and most importantly, enable the people we support to live meaningful, fulfilled lives.
We are looking for someone who is:
- An experienced operational leader who is innovative and has a conceptual understanding of autism.
- Skilled in managing multi-site services and navigating regulatory requirements.
- Passionate about positive behaviour support, autism, mental health and complex needs.
- Knowledgeable in RRN standards, PBS competencies and best practice frameworks.
- Financially astute, confident in budget management and service sustainability.
- An excellent communicator and relationship-builder.
- Calm, confident and able to make sound decisions in challenging situations.
- Values-driven, committed and motivated to make a real difference.
You’ll also be flexible, able to travel, participate in the on-call rota and work occasional unsocial hours when needed.
Benefits and Rewards:
- Annual leave entitlement of 33 days (pro-rata) including bank and public holidays.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme.
- Health Cash Plan.
- Bike to Work Scheme.
We are an equal opportunities employer. Excellent training and development opportunities.
Dates to remember:
- Closing date for applications: Monday 11th May 2026.
- Interview date/face to face in Darlington: Thursday 21st May 2026.
Defour Partnership has partnered with SJOG and are managing the recruitment for this role. For more information, a job description and a confidential chat please contact Joanne Diver.
Deputy Head of Operations - Complex Care in Darlington employer: Defour Partnership Ltd
Contact Detail:
Defour Partnership Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Head of Operations - Complex Care in Darlington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Make sure you can articulate how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around person-centred services and supporting autistic individuals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to showcase your achievements and how you've made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Head of Operations - Complex Care in Darlington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for delivering exceptional, person-centred services shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours and how you can make a real difference in the lives of those we support.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in managing multi-site services and navigating regulatory requirements. We’re looking for someone who understands the complexities of autism and can demonstrate their operational leadership skills.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to describe your achievements and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Defour Partnership Ltd
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on the values that drive you. Since this role is with a charity that prioritises compassion and respect, be ready to share examples of how you've embodied these values in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of your leadership experience, especially in managing multi-site services. Think about challenges you've faced and how you navigated them, particularly in relation to autism and complex care.
✨Understand the Regulatory Landscape
Brush up on RRN standards and PBS competencies. Being able to discuss these frameworks confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the requirements but also committed to exceeding them.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. As an excellent communicator, you should be able to build rapport quickly. Consider doing mock interviews with a friend to refine your responses and ensure you come across as calm and confident.