At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational vision and growth for a prominent social care provider.
- Company: Established social care provider with a strong reputation in Kent and South East London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, private medical cover, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Permanent role with excellent career progression opportunities and a focus on community-based services.
- Why this job: Join a values-led organisation making a real impact on children's lives during an exciting growth phase.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in scaling social care businesses and extensive experience in children's services.
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Chief Operating Officer to lead the operational vision and growth of a prominent social care provider across Kent and South East London. Reporting directly to the Group Director, the COO will hold full operational accountability across the group, chairing the Senior Leadership Team and leading the delivery of high-quality residential family assessment services, children's homes and supported accommodation.
The successful candidate will oversee the group's operational P&L, drive strategic expansion and financial performance, and ensure the highest standards of regulatory compliance, safeguarding and service quality. The role has a significant business development focus, requiring established relationships with local authority commissioners and the ability to identify and secure growth opportunities. Experience opening new services is essential, as the organisation enters an ambitious expansion phase.
Key priorities include diversifying family assessment services through community-based assessment provision and expanding the children's homes portfolio, beginning with a high-needs DoLS-registered home before further planned developments. The COO will lead and develop Responsible Individuals, Registered Managers and senior operational teams, fostering a values-led culture focused on outstanding outcomes for children, young people and families.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of scaling a social care business from approximately £5m to over £15m turnover and will have held full board-level P&L ownership. You will possess extensive experience within children's residential services, family assessment services and supported accommodation, alongside established relationships with local authority commissioners and a strong commercial mindset.
You will have experience building and managing Responsible Individual and Registered Manager structures, successfully opening and mobilising new services, and leading organisations through periods of sustainable growth. A deep understanding of Ofsted regulation, safeguarding, compliance and quality assurance is essential, together with the ability to balance commercial performance with exceptional care outcomes.
Personal attributes include resilience, strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, a proactive owner's mentality, sound commercial judgement and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement within a values-led organisation.
This is a senior leadership opportunity offering a salary of £105,000 – £125,000, dependent on experience. The package also includes:
- Performance-related bonus of up to 25-30%, linked to occupancy, P&L delivery and Ofsted outcomes.
- Leased electric company car.
- Private medical cover.
- Pension scheme.
- 25-30 days annual leave.
- Excellent opportunities for professional development and long-term career progression.
This is a permanent UK-based role requiring regular operational presence across services throughout Kent and South East London, rather than being based in a single office location.
Our client is a well-established, values-led social care provider operating across Kent and South East London, delivering residential family assessment services, children's homes and supported accommodation. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality outcomes, the organisation is entering an exciting period of strategic growth, with ambitious plans to expand its services while maintaining exceptional standards of care, governance and operational excellence.
We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed upon receipt and the recruitment process may commence before the advert closes. Suitable candidates will initially have a confidential telephone discussion with Daisy Chattey, Principal Consultant. Following this, successful shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with the Group Director and Senior Leadership Team. The successful candidate is expected to join the organisation in early 2027, allowing for the notice periods typically associated with senior executive appointments.
Please complete the application form below and upload an up-to-date CV. For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Daisy Chattey, Principal Consultant, via daisy@hamptonsresourcing.com or 01926 695216. We are committed to promoting an inclusive workforce. All applicants will be considered fairly, and reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the recruitment process. Please note: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; sponsorship is not available.
Chief Operating Officer in London employer: Hampton's Resourcing
Hamptons is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact in the lives of vulnerable young people in Birmingham. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, comprehensive training, and a supportive work culture, staff are encouraged to develop their skills and contribute to a high-quality service. The chance to shape new children's homes and implement your vision within a caring environment makes this role truly unique and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer in London
✨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 Hampton's Resourcing.
✨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 Hampton's Resourcing.
✨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 Hampton's Resourcing.
✨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 Hampton's Resourcing. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer in London
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 Hampton's Resourcing. 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 Chief Operating Officer, 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 Hampton's Resourcing
✨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 Hampton's Resourcing. 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!