At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community services and support recovery-focused housing across the Midlands & South.
- Company: Emerging Futures, a compassionate organisation dedicated to addiction recovery.
- Benefits: Join a diverse team with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and lead impactful recovery initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in drug and alcohol services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Leading our community services, drug & alcohol recovery support and recovery-focused housing across the Midlands & South. Emerging Futures began in 2014, born from a belief that recovery is possible for everyone, and that those who have walked that path should lead the way forward. From modest beginnings, Emerging Futures expanded across the UK, to a growing and diverse team of staff and volunteers, many with lived experience themselves. Offering support to people affected by homelessness and drug and alcohol use, Emerging Futures has helped thousands through housing, coaching and therapeutic programmes. Using compassion and courage, Emerging Futures believes that recovery is not just a word, it’s a promise that anything is possible. Together, we’re working for a world where everyone has somewhere to live, something to do, and someone to love.
About the role: This is a hands‑on senior leadership role with responsibility for the performance, quality, safety and financial sustainability of services across the Midlands and South. You’ll lead and develop Area Service Managers, stay connected to what is happening within services and provide practical support where improvement is needed. You’ll also build strong relationships with commissioners, partners and local stakeholders, helping to strengthen and grow Emerging Futures’ work across the region.
Your main focus will be on:
- Leading and developing Area Service Managers and their teams.
- Driving operational performance and ensuring services meet contractual expectations.
- Overseeing budgets and leading recovery plans where services are off track.
- Providing leadership across quality, safeguarding, risk and housing compliance.
- Strengthening drug and alcohol practice and our wider recovery offer.
- Building commissioner and partner relationships and supporting contract growth.
- Creating a positive employee experience and addressing people or performance issues early.
- Contributing to organisational development as a member of the Senior Management Team.
You will have substantial experience of leading or delivering drug and alcohol services, with a sound understanding of the treatment and recovery system, harm reduction and recovery‑oriented practice. You should also have recent experience in working at a senior level, developing new and existing services and partnership working.
You should also have:
- Extensive experience working in homelessness, drug and alcohol, housing and/or criminal justice services.
- Experience in supporting managers and staff teams to deliver high‑quality, cost‑effective services across geographically dispersed teams.
- Excellent skills in communication, leadership and influencing.
- Experience and knowledge in relation to safeguarding and effective risk management.
- Strong and proven leadership skills including an excellent ability to motivate, inspire and influence people.
- Ability to meet targets and deadlines within financial constraints and available resources, anticipating financial risks, planning ahead and acting promptly on early warning signs to prevent minor pressures from developing into significant financial issues.
- Demonstrate a capacity to work autonomously, keep calm under pressure and the flexibility to work from varying operational sites as required across a regional geographical footprint.
Working in our Midlands & South services: By joining the Emerging Futures workforce, you become part of a nationwide team dedicated to providing addiction recovery support services throughout the United Kingdom. This role joins part of a larger team in the Midlands & South, with colleagues working across our services in Birmingham, Gloucester, Worcester, West Sussex and Hertfordshire.
Head of Operations in England employer: Emerging Futures
Emerging Futures is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals affected by addiction. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training for our Housing Support Workers, fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture that values every team member's contribution. Located in Cheshire East, our organisation not only provides meaningful employment but also encourages personal growth and community engagement, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about helping others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations in England
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Emerging Futures.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Emerging Futures.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Emerging Futures.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Emerging Futures. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Emerging Futures. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Operations, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Emerging Futures
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Emerging Futures. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
